Catholic parishes light a large Paschal candle at the Easter Vigil, and a child who has decorated their own small version arrives at that service already paying attention to it.
Catholic parishes light a Paschal candle as part of the Easter Vigil service, typically the evening before Easter Sunday. It is a real, widely observed part of the service — the exact ceremony and any additional symbols used vary by parish, and we are not going to describe more of the liturgy than that.
A simple paper or card candle shape, decorated with wax crayon, stickers or paint, gives a child something to point at during the real Vigil: that's like the one I made. Keep it simple — a large candle outline, a few decorations, nothing that needs an adult to finish.
Some traditions decorate the real Paschal candle with specific symbols and words. We are not printing any of that here — if you want your child’s craft to match what your own parish uses, ask them directly rather than relying on a generic template.
It is a common Catholic Easter observance, but timing and whether young children attend varies by parish — check with yours.
From about two with a simple shape and big crayons; more detailed decoration works better from four or five.
The Easter Vigil and Paschal candle are most associated with Catholic and some other liturgical traditions. If yours does not observe it, this craft may not map onto anything your family does — ask your own church what they mark instead.
Part of our guide to Christian holidays with young kids.