Meeting new people and making friends can be can be
difficult--even in a church environment. This simple ice breaker
game is a great way to help break down barriers and buil...
What is "Bible depth"?
It's bandied around in children's ministry circles, but what is
it really? Bible depth to one person likely means something very
different to someo...
High-energy fun you can create almost anywhere. All
you need are pool noodles and a bit of tape.
Here's how you can make it happen.
You'll need half of a foam pool nood...
HALLOWEEN TUNNEL BLUEPRINT
Each year, we make a 50-foot winding tunnel for kids to crawl
through at our Halloween Bash. Our kids love it, and so will yours!
Here's how to...
An energetic game that teaches kids to share one another's
burdens.
Construct simple dog sleds from long pieces of cardboard. The
side-piece of a refrigerator box will wo...
Form four teams. Have each team stand in a circle and pick one
person to be Lazarus. Have Lazarus stand in the middle of the
circle.
On "go," have each team use one roll ...
BEST FOR: GRADES 5 AND 6
ACTIVITY LEVEL: HIGH
Form two teams and have kids line up single file, facing forward
with about 3 feet between each person. The two lines should...
THE LOST COINS
BEST FOR: GRADES K-6
ACTIVITY LEVEL: HIGH
Beforehand, spread out one or two bales of hay on the grass. If
you'll play this game inside, place the hay on ...
Kids will enjoy this fun relay during the Christmas
season.
For each team, you'll need a large jingle bell; a stick horse or
broom; a cleaning tool other than a broom, s...
A fun children's ministry game that will help kids get into the
spirit of Christmas.
For every four children, you'll need one box, one roll of gift
wrap, one pair of chil...
Children's Ministry Magazine
What to do: Create two home bases on either end of a large play
area. Choose someone to be the Octopus. Have all the other children
start on one home base. Once kids leave h...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Form groups of three. Have one person in each group close his or
her eyes. Have the other two take the person at least 20 feet away
from their group.
Say: You have one mi...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Place five water balloons on a towel in the center of each
team's circle. One person in each team must scoot to the center of
the circle, pick up the water balloon with his ...
Studies show that kids' lives are filled with an increasing
amount of stress. This game teaches children that God wants their
life to be stress free and can help them re...
Use this devotion to help kids
appreciate each person's God-given uniqueness.
You'll need crayons, scissors, clear adhesive tape, a Bible, and
copies of the unique person...
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...
Children's Ministry Magazine
This Canadian version of America's national pastime will
get your kids giggling.
Begin play with a seal bladder and caribou bones. If you can't
find either of these, use ...
Children's Ministry Magazine
Compost Relay
Have equal piles of organic waste such as grass clippings and
leaves at one end of an open field. Place a pile of soil half the
size of the organic pile at ...
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...
10 active indoor games to help kids workout the
squirm and grow in their faith.
The cold winter months can make kids stircrazy. Stuck inside,
they dream of a warmer seaso...
This object lesson shows children that discovering God's plan
for our lives takes persistence and dedication to His
teachings.
Theme: New Year's
Text: Philippians 3:12-1...
Gordon and Becki West
Trying to break in a new preteen leader? Here's a way to "bless"
the leader with popularity! Create an opening segment called
Weird Moments that your new leader hosts.
Ea...
Gordon and Becki West
Phone Home
This is a great weekly segment for any preteen group meeting.
Have one of your kids phone his or her parent at home and get the
parent to say the "word of the ...
Carmen Kamrath
5 fabulous ways to shower your kids and community
with laughter and love this summer!
Certain things are synonymous with summer, and one that's a sure
hit with kids is wa...
Time: (10 minutes)
Children will pass a banana along a line to learn about
patience.
Have kids stand in a straight line. Say: Let's see how fast we can
pass a bana...
Heed the wisdom found in the Bible and throw away
discouragment and your concerns with this fun game and help kids
understand God's wisdom by having a fun-filled paper
figh...
Throw one of these fun-filled parties to fire up your children's
ministry this winter
Wintertime is here again, bringing those familiar and comforting
seasonal changes. ...
Mary J. Davis
Use these "everyone-wins" games and activities at
any event you plan this fall. As children play together, they'll
discover new things about one another -- and they'll have ...
BEST FOR: GRADES K-6
ACTIVITY LEVEL: HIGH
If you have a big class, form teams of 12 or more. If you have a
smaller class, everyone is on the same team. Give each group a...
BEST FOR: GRADES 3-6
ACTIVITY LEVEL: HIGH
Form two teams. Have teams line up across from each other. Give
the person in the front of each line a white paper wad. Give th...
BEST FOR: GRADES 3-6
ACTIVITY LEVEL: HIGH
Form pairs. Have partners remove their shoes. Have partners
trade shoes, then stand against a wall. On "go," have children eac...
Get your kids to "go for the gold" with this event.
ACTIVITY LEVEL: HIGH
Set up these nine stations:
1. Race to Jerusalem-kids race barefoot around a
course on a sti...
BEST FOR: GRADES 5 AND 6
ACTIVITY LEVEL: LOW
Have children sit in a circle of chairs. In the middle of the
circle, set items such as a pencil, sheet of paper, string, roll ...
BEST FOR: K-6
ACTIVITY LEVEL: HIGH
This is a great group builder.
Place five to six soft playground balls in a burlap sack-the more
balls the better. Tie the bag tight...
BEST FOR: GRADES 3-6
ACTIVITY LEVEL: MODERATE
Beforehand, get two tongue depressors and two small plastic cups
(plastic communion cups or Dixie paper cups work best). Glu...
BEST FOR: GRADES 1-6
ACTIVITY LEVEL: HIGH
This is guaranteed to be a splash with the kids!
Form teams and have each team line up. Give each team a paper cup.
Have team...
BEST FOR: ALL AGES
Whenever our kids are preparing to sing for our congregation,
this is an enjoyable rehearsal game.
Form two teams. Send one person from each team out...
Let kids exercise their creative juices as they learn about
God's creation.
Scripture: Genesis 1:3-27
You'll Need: 8½ x 11 white card stock, crayons,
paper clips, a...
Here's a wet-and-wild challenge all kids will enjoy.
Scripture: Genesis 1:6-7
You'll Need: Two buckets of water and one large
sponge per eight kids. You'll also ne...
Add a new spin on this game with things kids find when they
bowl.
You'll Need: 20 orange traffic cones or large plastic
cups, a soccer ball, 20 photos or actual ite...
If kids don't get along well in this game, they'll find
themselves soaked.
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:11
You'll Need: Water balloons, traffic cones, and a
Bible...
For this game, every child will need two cups (one
with water, one without) and a drinking straw.
Have kids stand against one wall, and give each child a straw.
Place cu...
Age Level: 5 to 12
Bible Connect: Noah and the Flood (Genesis 7)
Materials: Two buckets per team, a plastic cup
for each child, a permanent marker, water, and a s...
Age Level: 6 to 12
Bible Connect: The Parable of the Hidden Treasure
(Matthew 13:44-46)
Materials: A kiddie pool, ice cubes, water, ice
cube trays, and green foo...
Age Level: 6 to 12
Bible Connect: David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17)
Materials: Various large obstacle items, such as
plastic garbage cans, tables, and chairs; bound...
