Godparent facts for kids

A godparent is an adult who sponsors a child during a formal religious ceremony or rite. Many religions have godparents or other adults who do something almost the same. These religions include Christianity & Judaism. Usually a godparent must be a member of the religion of the child. The role of a god parent is to also give the god child a gift, small or big, money, toys, etc. Mainly on Sundays.
Originally a godparent was someone who agreed to help raise the child and help them to become a good member of the religion. They may also have taken over as parent to the child if both its real parents died. Today, the role of godparent is not often a formal one, and has no real responsibility to the child. A female child of a godparent is a goddaughter. A male child of a godparent is a godson.
Images for kids
-
Detail from the "Baptism Window" at St. Mary's Episcopal Cathedral in Memphis, Tennessee, showing godparents from the mid-20th century.
-
The baptismal font at the Cathedral of Magdeburg
-
Brit milah—the sandek holds the baby boy
See also
In Spanish: Padrino para niños
![]() | George Robert Carruthers |
![]() | Patricia Bath |
![]() | Jan Ernst Matzeliger |
![]() | Alexander Miles |