The home altar, or shrine, can be found in many cultures. Hindus have a household shrine with images of deities, flowers, fruits, and incense. Mexican Catholics have colorful images of Jesus, Mary, and various saints, alongside candles, photos of deceased loved ones, trinkets, and dolls. Even the humblest homes in Bhutan have a Buddhist prayer room. All serve to transform the ordinary into a special place of worship. . . .
You may want to create an altar that is intended to be used by all family members. In addition, or alternatively, you may prefer a private altar. Hilary and her husband Alvin, who run Words of Discovery, a mail-order company specializing in holistic books for children, have an altar each. Hers is an indoor water feature, his is a Buddhist-style shrine. Jaki lives in a house big enough to have a dedicated meditation room that can be used by all the family. "Whenever my sons naturally need any quiet time they just go there," she says. "We have a Buddha figure in there, a Tibetan singing bowl, incense, and crystals. There are shawls to wrap themselves in and candles. They have to take their shoes off and be quiet there."
Her eldest son, who is eleven, has created a little shrine in his bedroom. It contains crystals and incense, favorite marbles, things he's picked up on walks, and two painted elephants. My family doesn't have a dedicated altar area at present, but we do create a special candle centerpiece decorated with seasonal objects that can be moved around the home according to our needs. . . .
First you need to find a space. If you are very lucky you may have a spare room you can devote to the purpose. It may for instance be a far better way of using a spare bedroom. If your home is on a more modest scale, you will instead have to find a suitable corner, windowsill, bedside cabinet, wall shelf. If you have no space at all, you could stow your altar away in a cupboard on a tray that you can lift out. If you are happy to pray around a table, your altar can be as simple as a special table centerpiece. Don't forget the yard or garden too. There are no rules saying a home altar has to be indoors. . . .
Take a moment to tune into the space and bless it, if this feels right. Collect items that you want to place on your altar. This can be an enjoyable shared family activity if the altar is for everyone. All these items should have a deep meaning for you, or one of your family members. Consider objects that appeal to our different senses, including objects you can touch and handle. Children especially may enjoy this. You will also need to be able to sit comfortably, either on chairs or floor cushions. . . . See your altar as a living creation that echoes both the world around your family and the world within.
— Jane Bartlett in Parenting With Spirit