Ministry-To-Children.com » Children’s Ministry Activities

Sunday School Activities

Mimi Bullock — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 10:20:24 +0000

Once the pictures are drawn and the lesson is over, the children of your ministry will be looking for something to do. Keep busy hands out of mischief by having activities for Sunday School read-to-go whenever you need them.

Activities for children don’t have to be expensive, but they should engage the young learner’s senses. These Sunday School activities for children can be “tweaked” for special holiday lessons or theme ideas.

Guess the Beans

Fill a clear glass jar with a variety of dried beans like pinto, northern and black-eyed peas. Estimate the legumes as you pour them into the jar. Write down the number of the beans in a private location. Show kids the jar and talk about how, like the beans, we are all different, but God loves us all. Ask the kids to guess how many beans are in the jar. Allow the kids to guess for a few weeks before choosing a winner that reaches the closest to your number. You might give a small prize or a sticker for winning. Remove or add some beans and start over the following week.

Bible Improvisation

Older kids like performing with dramatic arts. Provide kids with scenes from the Bible, a few props and give kids 3 minutes to come up with a scene to perform. For example, Peter, James and John at the Transfiguration or Jesus and the Centurion. Break your Sunday School class into pairs and ask kids to pick their favorite Bible stories and act them out.

Shoebox Walls

Activities for Sunday School can involve some help from parents. Ask parents to send empty shoeboxes to your classroom. Decorate the boxes to look like bricks. Tell kids the story of the Fall of Jericho, then together build a wall. Retell the story, highlighting the march around the wall. On the seventh march, instruct kids to knock down the wall like God did.

Parachute Play

Sunday School activities for children don’t always have to have a Bible theme. Sometimes, it’s fun to just play. If your class is large enough, give kids a small parachute for parachute play. Each child grasps the parachute by a specific color. Then the parachute is lifted up and the kids run under it swapping colors without allow the parachute to touch them.

Bible Bingo

Create Bible bingo cards using characters from your lessons or Bible verses. Call out the pictures as you draw them from a jar. Give kids cardboard circles to cover the bingo spots as the pictures are called out. Award the winner with a prize. Have the kids swap cards and play until everyone wins.

Puzzle Scramble

Before the Sunday School class begins, hide the pieces of a large puzzle around the classroom. During the lesson, send each student, one at a time or by pairs to find one piece of the puzzle. Assemble the puzzle once the pieces are gathered up.

Read more from Mimi at her website , Encouragement For Christians.

Paper Plates Bible Puzzle Game for Kids

Tony Kummer — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 19:55:27 +0000

This game idea also works for a Bible memory verse activity. Select a scripture memory verse and write each word on a single paper plate. For my example I am using Matthew 22:29 “You shall love your neighbors as yourself.”

Discover the Verse

Before introducing the verse, let the kids discover it on their own. Pass out single plates to children in the group and ask them to come up to the front of the classroom. Make sure you include a few older children who can provide leadership in the activity. Do not announce the verse, just let them line up in the order you’ve passed out the plates. Then take a seat with the remaining kids and say:

I’ve given them each a word from today’s Bible memory verse and we’ll see if they can arrange themselves in order. I will not offer direction but see if they can do it on their own.

Once they have put their line in order have them all hold up their places over their head. Then read the verse aloud to the class and congratulate the children. Then invite the whole group to say the verse together. Next repeat the process with the other children so that all get a turn to sort out the verse. Once they are confident move on to the more advanced game below.

Organize their Friends

Assign plates one-per-child as in the first game. Instead of letting them set the order have the seated children without the plates determine the order. Go around the room allowing each child to make one change. For example, “Chloe need to move up to the spot before David.” See how few moves will be requires to organize the children in order. Repeat this game several times to allow all children to participate.

For a more difficult variation, attach the verse to the backs of the children and have them face away from the group. The kids enjoy the mystery element of not knowing what is on their back. Once they are all in position have the children guess which word is on their back.

I hope you enjoy this idea. Please leave a comment with any new variations or to share how it worked in your ministry.

Bible Verse Puzzle Games with Craft Sticks

Tony Kummer — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 19:42:13 +0000

I am always looking for a variety of hands-on activities to help kids learn Bible memory verses. Here is a recent activity we tried in kids church using wooden crafts sticks to memorize Matthew 22:39.

Preparation: Write one word on each craft stick for your Bible verse before class. I made three sets so that all the kids could participate in the activities. See photo above for example. On actives with extra sticks I asked older children to use more than one word.

1. Piece the Verse Together: This is similar to bible verse puzzle actives I’ve written about, except kids are working with one word at a time. This means you can do shorter verses. Assign a few older kids to be team leaders. Then distribute one stick per kid, so each has one word. Give any leftovers to team leaders. Then have the children work together to build the bible verse.

2. Bible Verse Draft: Set it up like the first activity, except led the leaders draft kids from the group in turn. If they select a child whose word they already have, that child goes to the next team automatically. This is a fun tie-in with the pro sports drafts that some of our older boys follow.

I’d love to hear your feedback or variations on these activities. Simply leave a comment below to share your ideas.

Bible Memory Verse Puzzle: Team Learning Activity

Tony Kummer — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 20:01:14 +0000

Here is another creative way for groups of children to work together on learning their Bible memory verse. This hands-on activity includes elements of teamwork and problem solving. I’ve included pictures below to demonstrate the activity. I’d love to hear your feedback, simply click here to leave a comment.

Supplies: Several copies of the memory verse printed on white paper with a large font. Here is a sample formatted as a word doc. Then each line should be cut into strips so each child will have only a few words each. So, if the verse has 5 cut strips per copy that would be enough for 5 children. Print as many as you need in advance. If the class is larger than I expect, I will pair two children together to share. You’ll also need clear tape, or sticky tack so the children can reassemble the verse.

Target Age: This activity works best with children who are competent readers. If younger kids are present, just pair them with an older child to help.

Procedure: After practicing the Bible memory verse server times with the group, say something like this. “Today we’re going to divide into teams and put this Bible verse back together like a puzzle. I need a few older students to be team leaders. Their job will be to gather the rest of the kids together to complete their copy of the scripture verse.”

Hand out the last strip from each cut-up Bible verse to the leaders, this is the one that should include a verse reference. Then give the leaders the tape (or sticky tack) they will need to rebuild the verse. I typically sent the leaders out into the hallway first.

Next, pass out the rest of the strips randomly so that all the kids have a piece. Then send them to the leader area. The leaders will have to identify each section of the verse they need and recruit the kids for their teams.

Walk around to the groups to monitor their progress. Check each team’s verse when complete and have the group read it together in unison.

Possible Variations: For shorter Bible verses, you can have each individual piece as a separate piece of paper. If you a have ideas to share, simply click here to leave a comment. Your input will help other readers too!

Sketching Bible Memory Verses

Tony Kummer — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 02:12:48 +0000

Here is a fun learning activity that will promote understanding of Bible memory verses. One of weak points of route Bible memory is a lack of comprehension. This sketch process will force them (and you) to transfer concepts into symbols, a key skill in learning.

Supplies: Dry erase maker and board. Alternatively you can use poster board, giant Post-It notes, or sidewalk chalk.

Target Age: I’ve used Bible verse learning activity with K4 through adults. It’s actually easier for kids than grown-ups to be creative.

Procedure: After rehearsing the memory verse, invite volunteers to sketch one short element from the verse. I typically choose an older child first to set a good pattern for the others. Then I invite other children one at a time until we’ve sketched the verse. You can take a photo of the finished project to print off or post on Facebook.

Possible Variations: You could easily split this activity into small groups and use a single piece of white paper. I often repeat the same Bible verse the next week except I let each child work independently on their own sketch. Then we compare the end results and discuss the different ways the concepts were represented.

Please leave a comment if you’d like to suggest another variation of this activity. You can also share where you have found it most useful. We’ve used it as a Sunday School craft or object lesson in children’s church.

More Examples

Here are a few more examples of Bible verses we’ve used with this teaching method. If you would like to share one of your own, just post it the wall of our Facebook page.

Attributes of God Flip-Book Activity

Amy Brown — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 14:37:54 +0000

God is Wise, he is the only one without any questions...

Here is a simple activity to help kids learn about the attributes and character of God.

The tendency for many children’s ministry programs is to focus the majority of our lessons upon Bible stories with their corresponding characters and the how-to’s of righteous living. Not only do we want our children to know about the Bible and its instructions for us on how to live, but we also want our children to know God. We want them to know His character and be able to see how His attributes are woven throughout Scripture.

There are many lessons included on this website which teach upon the attributes of God or about knowing God. These attributes are often big and unfamiliar words for our children. The following activity is a simple one to incorporate with these lessons to reinforce learning and help the children remember the many attributes of God.

Target Age: adaptable for K-6

Time Needed: will vary based on the age of the children; plan for 10-15 minutes the first time

Materials Needed:

1 sentence strip per child (These can be found at any teacher supply store.)
Pencils
3×5 index cards
A few staplers

Procedures:

Pass out a sentence strip and pencil to each child. Have them write their name on the back.
On the front of the sentence strip have them write, “God is _________________.”
Pass out one 3×5 index card to each child.
On the index card, the children will write the attribute addressed in the lesson.
On the index card, they will also draw a symbol/picture that reminds them of what the attribute means. They will need direction in coming up with an appropriate symbol/picture. Keep in mind, a symbol/picture may not be possible for every attribute, such as invisible.
On the index card, they will also include a verse reference which corresponds with the attribute. The verse reference should be one which was the focus of the lesson.
The index card will then be stapled to the sentence strip at the end of the sentence where there is a blank.
As attributes continue to be taught, the children will add more index cards to their sentence strip by stapling another attribute card on top of the previous one creating a type of flip-book. This works best if the cards are stapled along the top of the sentence strip allowing the cards to flipped up making the full sentence easier to read.

These sentence strips can be kept in the Sunday school classroom and be added to each week as you teach through a series on the attributes of God or whenever a lesson touches upon a new attribute. After a few times the children will catch on and be able to add a new attribute to their sentence strips quickly and independently.

Tips for using the Attribute Flip-Books:

Once the Attribute Flip-Books are complete, the children can use them to review what they have learned about who God is. They can test each other on how well they remember what each attribute means. The corresponding verses could be used for a Bible drill activity or matching game to see who knows which reference matches each attribute. When finished using the Attribute Flip-books at church, the children can take them home to teach their family about the attributes of God.

Flip Book Example

Suggested attributes to include in your Attribute Flip-Book:

Holy
Love
Wise
Faithful
All-Knowing
Just
Everlasting
Good
Three-in-one
All-powerful
Invisible
Unchanging
Sovereign
True
Gracious
Merciful
Patient
Righteous
Forgiving

4 Tips for Turning Supervised Playtime into Ministry

Glen Woods — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 14:51:58 +0000

Supervised Playtime can be an intentional time of children's ministry

Children love to play. Although much of their time in my church setting is structured for active worship and learning in small and large group contexts, we do allow a component of supervised play as time permits. I do not view this as a necessary evil to accommodate services which run long or parents who are late to pick up their children after service.

Rather, we often schedule such playtime into the heart of the session’s activities as a core component of their campus experience. It is an opportunity for children to practice the biblical principles they are learning in class or the worship experience. Here is an outline of what has been helpful to me in making this a profitable time. Click here to share your comments.

Connecting With Children During Supervised Playtime

1. Staffing: I make sure I have plenty of adult and/or mature teen colleagues to supervise the children. For older children (ages 7-12), I recommend one supervisor per every 8 to 12 children. For younger children (ages 3-6), I recommend one supevisor per every 4 to 8 children.

2. Training: I train my co-workers concerning the intent of supervised playtime.

The playtime is meant to allow children freedom to have a short adventure in the confines of our gymnasium or on our outdoor playground.
The playtime allows the children to interact with one another and the adult workers in a natural way. Opportunities to apply the principles of the day’s lesson will frequently surface. Perceptive adults can help children navigate their disagreements, frustrations, etc. by reminding them of what they are learning in class and helping them to apply the principles in real-world situations via play.

3. Intentional Talking: There are some days where I will sit off to the side and call to the children one-at-a-time to come visit with me for a couple of minutes. I tell the children beforehand that I am going to do this. They like the face-time with the children’s pastor. I enjoy getting to know them a little better. (Related: 100 Questions to Get Kids Talking)

During our conversations I ask them one or two simple questions, such as how can I be praying for them, and how is their week going. I change the questions up occasionally, but the key is to make them simple so a child can easily understand and respond. Often, their responses are heartfelt and profound: mom and dad are fighting; grandma or grandpa is dying; older brother committed suicide; bullies are picking on the child at school or on the playground; does God really love me? These sessions have proven to be an integral part of how I hear the hearts and thoughts of the children I pastor.
During a twenty minute play session I can touch base with ten to twenty children. The conversations are never very long, and some are quite brief. If a longer conversation is needed, I am able to follow up later with them, as I have done with specific situations in the past.
For larger groups, I find it better to break the children into small groups with adult leaders who can ask the same kinds of questions.

4. Make it Fun: I like to do silly things to create a sense of camaraderie. For example, in past years I used to carry a whistle around my neck while we were outside in the playground. I taught the children to respond to two types of whistles. (Related: Should fun be a value in children’s ministry?)

One long whistle blow means all children must come to me or another adult supervisor immediately.
Two short whistle blows means we all yell out, “Praise the Lord!” I would do this occasionally during a ten to twenty minute play session.

Used in moderation, supervised play time is a beneficial tool to help pastor children and their families. It provides a safe environment for their needs to surface. Often I will discuss with parents the interactions I have with their children, particularly where there are concerns. On the rare occasion where there might be a concern about the parent, I consult with my pastor concerning the best course of action.

More Tips for Relating to Kids: Then read our post about getting to know kids in your ministry, or find out the 7 most important things you can tell a child.

Playtime is an opportunity to relate to children in their environment.

Olympic Themed Games for Children’s Ministry

Mimi Bullock — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 13:27:08 +0000

Adopting an Olympic theme into your children’s ministry is a good way to encourage a spirit of excellence amongst your attendees and volunteers. An Olympic theme is the perfect backdrop for exciting kids’ games that everyone will enjoy. Get your curriculum ready, decorate your children’s facility and use these wacky Olympic-sized games.

Bible Baton Relay
Before you play this game, you will need to make ’batons’. Recycle potato chip canisters to use as batons. You will need one canister for each team. Cover the canisters, except the end caps, with construction paper. Use red and blue to keep in your Olympic theme. Write “Bible Baton” in black permanent marker on the side of the canisters. Write or print the Bible scriptures that you are using in your lesson on to slips of paper. Make two copies. Then create some goofy sayings and write or print them on paper. These should also be copied twice. Use duct tape to mark a start and finish line. At the finish line, place the scriptures on two small tables, one for each team. Divide your class into two groups. Gather everyone into two lines at the start line. When you blow the whistle, the first runner takes the baton to the table. He chooses the appropriate scripture, puts it in his canister/baton and runs back. A volunteer checks to see if this is the right scripture. If yes, then the next contestant runs to get the next one. If no, the original runner goes back. The team that gathers the true scriptures first, is the winner.

Olympic Obstacle Course
Deliver some exciting Olympic games to your kids class. Set up this funny obstacle course, play some Olympic music and watch kids have a blast. Mark a start and finish line with duct tape. Divide the course into three sections. The first section will be a mock tire jump. Use swimming rings to set up a tire jump. Place six blown up rings, in rows of two on each course. Tape them together with duct tape if you like. Contestants have to run through her first, stepping into each ring set. Next, lay a refrigerator box on it’s side in each of the obstacle courses. Kids have to crawl through this. Lastly, have kids move a pile of cardboard boxes from one pile to another. This is the strength training exercise. The teams that get all their contestants through the obstacle course first, wins!

End your Olympic games by presenting medals to the winners. Make everyone a winner by recognizing everyone’s efforts.

Need More Help? Check out even more Olympic Themed ideas for your children’s ministry or browse our listing of game ideas.

High Energy Game Idea for Children’s Ministry or VBS

Tony Kummer — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 15:05:33 +0000

Do you need a large group game for your children’s ministry? Then watch this video as I explain the game we call “North – South – Central.” It has been one of the most popular with the kids at our church and it is really simple to play. This game would also be a handy idea to use for a Vacation Bible School recreation game.

You need a large area with three lines, a basketball court or miniature soccer field works well. Sometimes we just mark off an area in the grass with cones to make the three lines.

Game Instructions

Start by lining up the children on one end line “North.” Then stand at the edge of the center line and call out “Central.” The kids will all race to the line you called out. Repeat this and call out “South.” Again, the children will sprint to that line. After a few practice calls, begin to eliminate the players. This can be discouraging for some children, so I always give them a big high-five and praise them for trying so hard. Plus the kids that are eliminated get to help as line judges. In the end there is only one winner in this competitive children’s ministry game.

Some Game Variations

You can change the game by changing the way the kids have to sprint. Wheelbarrow teams or crab walking works well. Another angle is to have the children cheer for one another, boys versus girls is always popular. One other time, I changed the lines to be New Testament, Old Testament, No Testament. This makes an easy way to review where books are in the Bible. This is also a way to run this game without the competition element.

Have fun and please share your ideas about this game in the comment section.

Need More Help? Then check out all our game ideas or read our tips for Vacation Bible School.

Kids Ministry Game: Captain Midnight

Charlie Wallace — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:14:52 +0000

Here is another “backpocket” game that you can play if you have a large group of kids and a large area where they can run. This can be a game that you can play to fill up time at an Easter Egg Hunt, Backyard Bible Club, or whatever the situation. Like Quiet Ball and Silent Football, the point of a “backpocket” game is that it is a game that you can figuratively pull out of your backpocket when you’re in a tight spot, need to fill time, or just need to get the kids doing something organized. Plus, it needs to be a game that the kids will like and Captain Midnight is always a favorite.

Here’s how to play:

- Have all the kids make a line at one end of the field/gym/open area. They all should be facing you while you are at the other end.

- Turn your back to them and have one child ask, “Captain Midnight, what time is it?”

- Tell them a time. For instance, if you say, “3 o’Clock,” then all children take three steps. If you say “10 o’clock” they take 10 steps.

- As the kids take their steps, have the same child ask again. Then give them an answer. Continue this process.

- At some point, depending on the size of your playing area, you will need to end things so you will scream “MIDNIGHT!!!” after they ask you what time it is.

- It is at this point that chaos ensues. After screaming “midnight” or better yet, while you scream it, turn around and chase after the kids as they scurry back to the starting line. They will go absolutely bonkers.

- Make sure you call “midnight” before a child gets to you. Their goal is to be the first to tag you. Therefore, expect some children to take large steps and even cheat a little. Therefore, it is perfectly acceptable to turn your head a few times and check the progress.

- As you run, tag as many kids as you can. Those kids are then out. Keep playing until there is one child left. That child then gets to take over your job as the caller if you so choose to relinquish that duty.

- A good tip is to tag both young and old kids equally. In other words, don’t always tag the slowest or youngest first. You should be faster than the majority of your kids therefore you should be able to tag who you want. This creates more fun and an unexpectedness of who will be tagged as they run back to the line.

- For an Easter Egg Hunt, you can replace “Captain Midnight” with “Mr. Easter Bunny” or any event that you are having.

Cautions: This game is super fun because the children never know when it is going to be “midnight” and when they hear the word “midnight” and you turn around and run after them like a crazy person the anticipation that has been building reaches a boiling point and they scream and go bonkers as you chase them. However, usually some children will fall and some may even run into each other. So you may need to do a little explaining before the game that there is no pushing, etc. However, serious injuries are extremely rare, although there is always a risk of that when playing any game.

Have fun with Captain Midnight!