Use this experience with preteens to help them discover the meaning of their names and to remember that God knows them by name. You'll need 11x14-inch white paper, markers, books or...
Best for ages 6 to 12 You'll need a Bible, a sign that says "2011," a sign that says "2012," and tape Hang your signs on opposite walls, and clear the way between the walls so there...
Best for ages 9 to 12 You'll need Bibles, lemon juice, cotton swabs, paper, and a lamp Before kids arrive, write the reference 1 Corinthians 4:5 with lemon juice on a sheet of paper...
Best for ages 6 to 12 You'll need a Bible, a basketball and a tennis ball Say: The kind of person you are rubs off on other people. Ask: What happens when you're in a rotten mood at...
Best for ages 8 to 12 You'll need: Bibles, paper towels, plastic cups, and a tub of water Form pairs, and have partners discuss times it's difficult for them to have faith in Jesus....
Best for ages 8 to 12 You'll need: a Bible Say: As we start this new year, let's think about how old things can become new. Form two teams. Have teams race each other to shout out...
Use this experience to help preteens understand the difference between positive and negative peer pressure. Form a circle with one preteen standing in the middle. Have others in the...
Help preteens understand how their daily activities influence their lives. You'll need a Bible. You'll also need a resealable plastic bag, a chocolate-covered doughnut, and a...
Debbie Trafton O'Neal
A quick primer to develop little Miss and Mr. Manners of your kids. 1. Don't Be Cruel- Form two teams and have them line up against opposite walls. Give each team sheets of paper...
The Point: It's important to share our faith. Best for: Preteen Scripture : Colossians 4:2-6 Supplies: You'll need Bibles, a jar filled with small candies, scrap paper, pencils, and...
This children's ministry object lessons will have a profound impact on the way the kids in your ministry program view the idea of being holy. The Point: God calls us to be holy....
Preteens aren't exempt from eating disorders and often begin to have distorted body image issues. February 21-27 is National Eating Disorders Week so use this activity with kids to...
Janel Kauffman
1. Building a Road -Lay a long piece of butcher paper on the floor. As children arrive, have them create a long road on the paper with six large blank billboards along the way. Draw...
Bible Devotion for GRADES K-6 •Theme: Pleasing God •Text: Matthew 3:13-17 •Preparation: Use a white crayon to outline a dove on a sheet of white construction paper. You'll need...
GRADES 4-6 • Theme : Forgiveness • Text: 1 John 1:9 • Preparation: For each child, you'll need one large red balloon and one medium yellow balloon. You'll also need Scotch tape, a...
*Theme: School *Text : Proverbs 1:5 *Preparation : None needed. *The Message: It's time for school again! Who's excited to go back to school? I have homework for you today. I want...
Theme: Christmas Text: John 1:1-5 Preparation: Secretly give a flashlight to one adult. The Message: (Have adults stand in groups of 10 or less. Encourage children not to run during...
If you've ever visited a construction site, you know it's a busy and active place. Each day brings new developments and progressive changes as builders work toward the finished...
Preparation: For this object lesson you'll need a cut geode, a rock that's been cut open to reveal a beautiful crystallized interior that's available at most rock or tourist shops....
It clearly takes a great deal of prayer and cooperation to reach a community for Christ. This unique object lesson helps kids recognize the importance of working together. Have kids...
(You'll need a medium canvas -- the more dramatic the better. If you don't have a canvas, use a large sheet of paper. Use the art materials that work best with the surface you...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Use this engaging devotionto show kids that God wants us to communicate with our family members and work together...Even during times that it appears we are all speaking a different...
Help the boys in your ministry cultivate positive relationships with their fathers or the special men in their lives... The Great Outdoors Invite boys and their special guests to a...
Danielle Bell
Grow kids' faith this summer with this 7-week challenge. Kids live on a battlefield -- a world filled with temptation, attacks on their innocence, and fiery darts of doubt. As in...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Use these three faith challenge devotions to foster spiritual growth and development in your preteen kids. Operation: Heal What's Broken Directive: Give others grace and...
Remember the Titans: Use this movie clip to teach children about respect and caring for one another. Scripture: Matthew 22:34-38 Movie Title: Remember the Titans (PG) Start Time: 31...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Preteen Pointers Use this activity to raise preteens' awareness of what the media values in advertising. Before this activity, record various prime time TV commercials. (Hint: Super...
Children's Ministry Magazine
You'll need a small branch, a stapler, paper apples, pencils, pins, a small basket, and a thumbtack. Staple the small branch to a bulletin board. Use the thumbtack to attach the...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Try this creative activity to illustrate listening to God. Blindfold one person and have him or her face the group while standing about 20 feet away. Have a leader point to one of...
Children's Ministry Magazine
You'll need plenty of adult help, and take only a few children at a time. Place a pumpkin in an area where you'll walk. Encourage children to look for the pumpkin, colorful leaves,...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Form a circle. Number the four corners of your room. Tell children that this moving cheer will help them pray. Stand in the center of the circle. Ask the children to think about...
Lois Keffer
Today's kids are constantly bombarded with environmental messages. However, some of these messages -- if from questionable sources -- can promote an idolatrous worship of nature....
Sue Kahawaii
Here are 10 wonder-filled, hands-on experiments for kids -- to illuminate God's powerful presence in kids' lives. Faith and science have a lot in common. Both can be messy,...
Reader Submitted
Construct a 6- to 8-foot cross from lumber. Then cover it with chicken wire. Mount the cross on your church lawn. Fill the chicken wire with palm fronds from Palm Sunday. Invite...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Challenge your preteens to think with this boundary-testing experience. You'll need hula hoops, copies of a brainteaser (for a brainteaser, go to...
Kids can see a lot of pain and suffering around them, yet they often don't know how to process it, or what they can do to help. Guide kids in this simple activity that encourages a...
Amy Nappa
Give each person a chocolate kiss or a small chocolate truffle. Explain that you're going to play a song on the CD and that you'd like everyone to listen to the words and reflect on...
An engaging Bible activity that will teach children the importance of friendship. Topic: Friendship Scripture: Luke 10:25-37 Game Overview: Kids will build multistoried buildings...
Movie Title: Miracle on 34th Street (1947) (not rated) Start Time: 6 minutes Where to Begin: The parade begins. Where to End: Santa has passed by, and the marching band is playing....
Use this activity to help children learn the Scripture: "Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith"...
Teach kids about the power of the Holy spirit through the story of Nicodemus and this fun hands-on experiment. Cook's Eye View: Kids will have "tasty" fun with this experiment where...
Use this devotion to teach your kids about anointing and how God selected a mere shepherd boy who would one day become King David. Theme : Being chosen Scripture : I Samuel 16:1,...
Multi-tasking at work, at home and for God's kingdom isn't always easy. Use this fun object lesson to teach kids their highest priority...and don't forget to bring a vacuum along!...
"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." Galatians 5:22-23 This creative object lesson helps kids...
26 teacher tips, 10 plagues, and 8 ideas to help kids build a lasting relationship with Jesus this school year! Back to school is a critical time for your Sunday school class....
Chip Borgstadt
CIRCLE OF LOVE Instead of "he loves me, he loves me not" with a diminishing daisy, make construction paper daisies. For each child, write his or her first name in the middle, and...
NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY Celebrate the new year with a party extravaganza! Have kids in your church-and their friends-spend the night at their Sunday school teachers' homes. Ahead of...
*Theme: Communion *Text: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 *Preparation: Bring a McDonald's "Happy Meal" box. Put enough bread for all your kids, a container of juice, and a Happy Meal toy in...
Our children's ministry department leads a children's worship service the Wednesday night or Sunday morning before or after Thanksgiving. This meaningful part of our worship service...
Donald Hinchey
Take 5 minutes to help children see the Easter connection in April Fool's Day. An unusual Easter object lesson is as close as your local variety or party supply store. Use practical...
