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 tou...
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 finis...
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 ...
*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 yo...
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 commercial...
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...
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 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...
This simple balloon trick increases preteens' sensitivity to the
consequences of hurtful words.
You'll need two balloons and a needle. Inflate one balloon
("Ballon B...
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 ...
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 ...
(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 y...
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.
...
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 www.childrensministry.co...
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. In...
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. Bo...
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 na...
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...
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, colorf...
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 po...
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...
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 b...
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
...
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 re...
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 e...
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
t...
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 ...
"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 ...
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 exper...
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 Sam...
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 ...
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 midd...
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....
*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 Ha...
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. Us...
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...
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
Sc...
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. ...
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 wa...
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 ...
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 ...
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 pap...
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 o...
Taste God's sweet creation: fruit!
Scripture: Genesis 1:11-12
You'll Need A Bible, plates, bowls, plastic knives and spoons, and
napkins. For each child: one 8-ounce pa...
Kids will see that God's love reaches to everyone-no matter
where they come from.
Scripture: John 4:7-15
You'll Need: A large poster board with different
colors on each ...
Just like the fruit combination they'll eat, kids can get along
with people different from them.
Scripture: Romans 12:16
You'll Need: Bamboo skewers, a variety of cut-...
All things come together for good-a sweet ice cream treat.
Scripture: Romans 8:28
You'll Need: For each child, you'll need 2
quart-size resealable bags, 1 gallon-size res...
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, a...
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
o...
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 ...
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 ha...
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 ...
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...
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
...
