Best for ages 7 to 12 You'll need a Bible, hard-boiled eggs, and washable markers Give every child an egg, and allow kids to decorate the outside of the shells. As they work, ask:...
Best for ages 6 to 8 You'll need a Bible, 1 large sponge per child, markers, scissors Set out the supplies. Instruct your kids to draw a shape such as a heart or star on the...
Best for ages 6 to 9 You'll need: Bibles, paper, markers, scissors, plastic straws or pencils, and tape Form pairs, and have partners brainstorm ways to keep Jesus first in their...
Best for ages 4 to 12 You'll need: Bibles, cups of water, black pepper, and dish soap Form groups of four, and give each group a Bible, a cup of clean water, and a container of...
Debbie Trafton O'Neal
A quick primer to develop little Miss and Mr. Manners of your kids. 1. Open Door -When children each arrive, have someone stand at the door, open the door for them, give them a big...
Debbie Trafton O'Neal
1. Mannerades -For every two children, write on a 3X5 card a simple situation that requires manners; for example, "You're at the library with your cousin, and a friend comes over....
Objective: Children will learn that God cares for the birds and for them. Stuff you'll need: Two jar lids for each child, two long nails with heads, stale doughnuts, string, a...
Easter Lesson Before class, make smiling faces with a permanent marker on room temperature green grapes (enough for everyone in class). Also, make angry faces on about one dozen...
*Theme: Confession *Text: Genesis 3:1-13 *Preparation: Bring a cover such as a large tarp, a sheet, or a parachute. *The Message: Let's see if we can hide from God. I've brought...
Janel Kauffman
1. All Around Us -Give each child a balloon. Have children each blow up their balloon, but not tie it off. Ask: What's inside your balloon? How do you know that? What is air? Where...
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...
*Theme: Halloween *Text: John 18:1-6 *Preparation: None needed. *The Message: How many of you get scared at Halloween? Halloween can be a scary time because of all the evil-looking...
Create an altar by draping a bedsheet or blanket over a table. Lay real or artificial fruits and vegetables on the altar. Also lay a stuffed sheep or a picture of a sheep on the...
Theme : Christmas Preparation: You'll need two red-and-white candy canes for each child. Get J-shaped candy canes with one large red stripe and three smaller red stripes. Message: A...
Theme : Friends Text: Proverbs 27:10 Preparation: Gather children and their families at the front of the church. Have families stand to one side. The Message: We're going to...
A fun snack based on the story from the book of Genesis on the life of Esau and the importance of being honest. Theme : Honesty Verses to Devour : Genesis 27:21-23 Supplies : a kiwi...
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...
Object lesson: Jesus will return to seperate the good from the bad. Preparation: For this object lesson you'll need two clear, hard plastic 16-ounce tumblers, model airplane cement,...
God's grace erases all sins and forgives us
The Bible tells us that we are all sinners. However, most children do not understand God's grace. This short Bible lesson is designed to help children recognize the healing power of...
The Point: To be compassionate, we must set aside our own concerns. Best for: Grades 3 and up Scripture: Luke 10:30-37 Supplies: You'll need Bibles, a plastic container with one ice...
Children's Ministry Magazine
A lesson that will help show your children's ministry kids how to see others the way God does. Scripture: James 2:5 You'll need two adult volunteers and a Bible. Have one volunteer...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Object Lesson: Kids will enjoy this race to help them remember that it's what's on the inside that counts. Stuff: Unhusked corn and a Bible. Place corn on a table and tell kids that...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Teach your children about Jesus with this Christian alternative to Halloween Jack-O'-Lanterns During this time of year, you can teach your children about Jesus with this Christian...
Lois Keffer
Building friendship through prayer is a fun children's ministry activity that will reinforce the incredible power of prayer. Form pairs. Pair younger children who don't write with...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Kids must navigate many obstacles as they grow in the Christian faith. This Bible activity will challenge kids to listen to God's voice in a chaotic world. Help kids listen to God's...
Lori Haynes Niles
This children's message is aimed at kids in grades 3-6... Theme: God's Dependability Text: Psalm 71:3 Preparation: Dissolve 2 cups cornstarch in 1 cup of water. If the "goo" mixture...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Celebrate Grandparent's Day by inviting a group of grandparents to join your class... Have kids prepare questions to ask grandparents the week before their scheduled visit, such as...
Children's Ministry Magazine
A sweet way to teach kids the importance of sticking together. You'll need 3-foot-long red string licorice and a children's Bible. The Message: (Have children stand in pairs, and...
Children's Ministry Magazine
In this special section, you'll find ways to help kids overcome fear, serve others, develop character, pray for others, and much more. Disciplemakers Theme: The Great Commission...
Children's Ministry Magazine
For this zesty activity, you'll need salted and unsalted tortilla chips, a Bible, napkins, and salsa... Give each preteen unsalted chips in one hand and salted chips in the other....
Children's Ministry Magazine
Show your children's minstry the meaning Independence Day with this fun Bible breakfast. Serve a breakfast before Sunday school to show children what kind of breakfast the...
Children's Ministry Magazine
You'll need one 24-inch length of string or yarn for each child. You'll also need scissors. Form pairs and give each pair two strings. Tie the first child's string to his or her...
Children's Ministry Magazine
A simple way to teach children how God is able to meet all of our needs. Grades: K-3 Theme: Jesus' miracle Text: John 6:5-13 Preparation: You'll need a snack-size resealable bag...
Children's Ministry Magazine
With school coming to an end, it's a great time to have kids look back at times they knew God was present... Read aloud Isaiah 41:10. Put up a large piece of butcher paper, and mark...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Children's Devotion: You'll need a marble for each child and a Bible. The Message: (Have each child put a marble in his or her shoe. For the next two minutes, have children walk...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Kids Prayer Walk: Take a walk around your church grounds or neighborhood with the kids. Stop every 50 steps and invite the children to look around for: something to praise God for...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Jesus showed his followers how to truly "walk the talk" of Christianity by joining together with him. To begin this lesson, put one teaspoon of each of the following substances into...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Christmas is the celebration of Christ coming to earth as a baby. And then there was light! Easter is the realization of why Christ came. It's a time of reflection on the death of...
Children's Ministry Magazine
You don't have to be famous for Jesus to love you. Jesus doesn't discriminate. However, we often do. How can we help kids include everyone at church? Theme: Discrimination Text:...
Children's Ministry Magazine
For a tasty way to celebrate Thanksgiving this year, have your kids make mini-pumpkin pies. You'll need premade custard crusts (available in grocery stores), spoons, bowls, and the...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Theme: Peer Pressure You'll need Jump5's song "Pressure" from the Accelerate album (Sparrow Records), a CD or cassette player, and a Bible. Form trios. Have kids stand with their...
Children's Ministry Magazine
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 you to...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Learning of God's provision through a tasty Bible activity and treat. Theme: God's provision Text: Matthew 14:14-19 Preparation: Bring a basket with whole graham crackers covered by...
Carolyn Caufman
Fun activities to help children understand and value freedom. 1. Color Codes Take three children out of the room while you explain this game. Give each child in the class a red,...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Theme: Freedom in Christ Text: Romans 6:20-23 in an easy-to-understand translation. Preparation: You'll need a ball of string or yarn, and scissors. The Message: This string...
Reader Submitted
Use this devotion with children to focus on fathers and other men who encourage children. Form pairs. Give each pair a book. Have one partner walk across the room and back with a...
Children's Ministry Magazine
A Mother's Day devotion for all ages. Theme: Mother's Day Text: Proverbs 31:28-31 Preparation: In a box or paper sack, place different kinds of gloves. You'll also need a Bible. The...
Lori Haynes Niles
An engaging object lesson that will teach your children's ministry kids the importance of accepting Christ. FOR GRADES 3-6 Theme: Unity in Christ Text: Romans 15:5-7 Preparation:...
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,...
Children's Ministry Magazine
All Ages Theme: Taking care of creation Text: Psalm 104:24 Preparation: You'll need a Bible and a container of M and M's candies or Skittles. The Message: (Form three groups. Say...
Janice Long
An object lesson that deals with anger and the power of forgiveness. Theme: Anger Text: Ephesians 4:26 Preparation: You'll need one inflated, tied-off balloon for each child. The...
Theme: Christ's Exaltation As King Text: John 1:4 Preparation: For each child, you'll need a 1-inch piece of cardboard tube (from a paper towel roll), spray-painted gold; scissors;...
Use this idea to help kids visualize the ways they can serve Jesus. Trace kids' hands and shoes onto white paper, and then cut out the shapes. Have kids write or draw on the...
Sprout a seed this spring as a reminder of the new life we have in Jesus. You'll need seeds, paper towels, plastic baggies, water, and a Bible. Have your family members each place...
Reader Submitted
A Valentine's party focused on encouraging kids to love one another as God loves them. By Debbie Trafton O'Neal Agape love is God's unconditional love. Have a Valentine's party...
Reader Submitted
A Valentine's Day craft and object lesson that will show God's love to someone special. By Debbie Trafton O'Neal Objective: Kids will show love to someone special. Stuff you'll...
Reader Submitted
In honor of the United States' Presidents' Day, celebrate the Christian character of a great American leader. For each child, you'll need six pennies, a strip of 3x11-inch clear...
During the month of January, celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream Speech" with children. Kids will create a classroom mural portraying their hopes and dreams for the...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Teaching kids about the power of prayer could be as simple as sending a postcard to the President. Theme: President's Day Text: Psalm 17:6 Best for: Grades 2-6 Preparation: For each...
Show kids how to understand God's love on Martin Luther King Day. Theme: Martin Luther King Jr. Day Text: 1 Samuel 16:7 Best for: Younger Children Preparation: You'll need a framed...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Several years ago, we asked over 900 kids to tell us what they liked best about Sunday school. One of their top answers was snacks. So, if you really want to capture kids'...
John Duckworth
The easy-to-read dialogue has delivery cues built right in; just read the capitalized words with emphasis to avoid "monotone syndrome," and to make sure everyone catches the...
Group Books
Items to Pack: A Bible, a marble-sized piece of Silly Putty for each child, and several pages of newspaper comic strips. Tour Guide Tip: Collect comic pages for several days. Cut...
Group Books
Theme: Jesus understands how we feel. Simple Supplies: You'll need a Bible, an adult volunteer to play the role of Jesus, and "religious" Band-Aids. If you can't find religious...
Theme: Mother's Day Scripture: Proverbs 1:8-9 Overview: Children will honor their mothers by creating paper chains describing some of the things their mothers have taught them....
Children's Ministry Magazine
A fun Bible activity to highlight how God hears our prayers. Topic: Prayer Scripture: 2 Chronicles 30:27 Game Overview: Kids will record their voices, then listen as they learn God...
This game will demonstrate to kids that how they look has little to do with who they really are. Supply List paper plates, one per child; markers, crayons, pens; craft sticks, one...
Use this Bible activity to help your Sunday school students learn how to handle conflict. Topic: Conflict Scripture: Titus 3:1 Game Overview: Kids will bounce a ball off their...
We can give God our worries. "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you" ( 1 Peter 5:7 ). Sometimes kids have grown-up-sized problems: where to get their next meal,...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Don't fight it...A Bible activity that will show children Jesus' perspective on fighting. Jesus once prayed to his father that his followers would all be one. That meant Jesus...
Group Books
Simple Supplies: A Bible, a lunch box, a whole apple, and apple slices What are some things we need to stay alive? Let children respond. What are some of your favorite foods? Do you...
Group Books
Theme: God has a plan for everything. Bible Reference: Psalm 89:11 Simple Supplies: You'll need a Bible, a globe (you could substitute a world map), and globe stickers. Let's talk...
Reader Submitted
Discovering God is a sweet experience no matter how old you are. This devotion is designed to help children remember to look and see God's hand in everything from creation to candy....
Serving as the President of the United States of America is no easy task. This devotion demonstrates the need for each of us to pray for our leaders every day, not just on...
Kids often need help understanding that God protects us and keeps us safe. This devotion shows how God's love will protect us in all things. •Theme: God's protection •Text: Psalm...
As your class prepares for the National Day of Prayer, have them consider all the things that they would like to tell God-and the things in their lives that they are thankful for....
A fun devotion to help kids celebrate fathers and recognize our heavenly father on Father's Day. Preparation: You'll need a Bible, colorful stickers, and a 2X24-inch strip of yellow...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Teach your kids about real freedom -- freedom from sin and how to avoid letting it weigh them down -- on Independence Day. Theme: Independence Day Text: Romans 6:18 Preparation:...
An engaging back-to-school devotion that will teach kids the importance of faith and the Fruits of the Spirit. (Some assembly required. banana not included.) Theme: Back to School...
Grandparents and grandchildren have always been special to each other-even back in Bible times. This interactive devotion and craft are designed to honor our grandparents. Theme:...
Children's Ministry Magazine
This fun-filled addition for your Thanksgiving-themed Sunday school lessons is a sweet way to teach kids the true meaning of Thanksgiving. Disclaimer: No turkeys were harmed in the...
A great devotion that will teach kids that Jesus can be the light of their life...especially at the times when they are afraid of the dark. Theme: Christmas Text: Luke 2:1-20...
Parable Discovery: Parable of the Prodigal Son Sit in a chair, and have the children sit on the floor facing you. Open your Bible to Luke 15:11-24 . Show the children your open...
We celebrate our love for God every week in church, and we can celebrate God in other ways too. This song-filled object lesson is a great way to teach kids how to praise and worship...
A children's devotion on knowing the TRUTH note: Please do not allow kids to eat more than just a pinch of salt. Eating large amounts of salt may cause digestive distress. On a...
God's second commandment warns us against putting idols before God. This object lesson will help your kids evaluate what idols exist in their lives. Items needed: *Plastic pitcher...
This dynamite devotion and object lesson teaches kids that when we're weak, Christ is strong. With this knowledge, why would any Christian ever worry? Verses to View: 2 Corinthians...
Keep growing! That's God' message to Christians of all ages. Luke 8:15 says that those who listen to and obey God's Word will bear fruit for God's kingdom. Children need to see that...
"Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs." Psalm 100:2 Supplies : You'll need a Bible, a CD of praise songs, and a CD player. Form pairs. Say: Sing a few...
Use this simple object lesson to explain how believers offered prayers of praise to God through burnt offerings and sacrifices in the Old Testament, and how times, and sacrifices,...
God's Master Plan Creation: Genesis 1-2 Why did God go to all the trouble of creation? The main reason was that God wanted to have a relationship with you! You can have a...
Praise the Lord (from the Ready-to-Do Children's Ministry Messages Kit (Group Publishing, Inc.)) Basic Belief: Worship Theme: We can celebrate our love for God with praise....
As kids begin a new school year, give them lessons in the best subject of all -- God's love Every new school year brings with it excitement and anticipation -- as much from the...
Courtney Wilson
OH, THE LESSONS THEY'LL LEARN! Additional Story Ideas Using Dr. Suess Books to Teach Bible Truths HAPPY WITH WHAT WE HAVE From the Book-"You shall not covet…anything that belongs to...
EUTYCHUS MONOLOGUE Dress up in biblical garb to deliver this one-person play, adapted from Acts 20:7-12. "I heard this guy screaming. I thought, why's some guy screaming in the...
Patricia Giunta
Use this allegory to teach children to work together: They'd never heard of teams before-it was always each man for himself in the land of Od. Once, a long time ago, in the land 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...
Clay Cooper
Jesus used familiar objects to teach spiritual truths in his parables. You can use the same method with your children-the safe way. That is, you can find all sorts of object lessons...
Theme: The church Text: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 Preparation: Bring cookie dough in a bowl, a cup of flour, an egg, a large spoon, and a plastic spoon for each child. The Message:...
*Theme: God's provision *Text : Matthew 14:14-19 *Preparation: Bring a basket with whole graham crackers covered by a napkin and one whole graham cracker on top of the napkin. *The...
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...
BIBLE STORY FISHERS OF MEN Make a "fishing pond" by placing a circle of blue fabric on the floor. Lay small rocks around the pond. Cut out large construction paper fish and attach a...
