3 Fresh Bible Activity Ideas for Your Elementary Classroom

Tired of the same old experiences? Try one of these three fresh Bible activity ideas in your elementary classroom. 

3 Fresh Bible Activity Ideas for Your Elementary Classroom

Bible Activity Idea #1: The Good Land

Use this devotion to encourage kids to trust God as they share.

You’ll need:

• a Bible
• masking tape
• 1 treat per child

Tape 3 circles onto the floor (Circle 1: a tight fit for all kids; Circle 2: large and spacious to fit all and has the treat; Circle 3: extremely tight fit for just 50% of the kids.)

Have kids sit in Circle 1. Form two teams. Read Genesis 13:1, 5-7.

Ask:

• Describe how you’re feeling inside this circle.

Say: We can do something to fix that. Explain that all the kids must move to one of the other two circles, but each team must agree and stay together. Let teams discuss which circle they’ll go to. Read aloud Genesis 13:8-12.

Ask:

• What do you think about Abram’s generous choice?

Invite all kids to move to Circle 2. Hand out the treats as you read Genesis 13:14-18.

Ask:

• What are ways you can be generous to others, knowing God takes care of you?

Ashley Leach
Erie, Colorado

Bible Activity Idea #2: Look for Him

Use this experience to remind kids to pay attention to Jesus so they can witness his amazing works.

You’ll need:

• a Bible

Have kids pair off, and then have one child in each pair step outside the room. Kids outside and kids inside will have different, secret roles. Tell the kids outside to each share a really exciting story from their lives or something they’ve seen. Tell the kids inside the room to ignore their partners when they come back in and pretend to be disinterested in their stories.

Start the experiment. Afterward, encourage kids from both sides to discuss their experience and how they felt.

Read Matthew 21:12-17.

Ask:

• Why do you think the Pharisees didn’t notice Jesus’ amazing works, but others in the temple did?
• What are some ways we can miss amazing things Jesus is doing in our lives?
• What are the ways we can look for Jesus in our lives?

Steve Case
Oviedo, Florida

Bible Activity Idea #3: Throw It Off

Use this game to encourage kids to let go of things that hold them back from a strong relationship with God.

You’ll need:

• a Bible
• a weight (such as a heavy book)
• blankets, tarps, or plastic sleds

Ask:

• Tell about a time you wished you felt closer to God. Allow for responses.

Say: Sometimes we may have habits that actually keep us from being closer to him. Read Hebrews 12:1-2.

Say: Let’s have a race. Have kids get in teams of about four. Have each of group complete these three rounds of a relay race:

1: Each teammate drags a weight on a blanket to the opposite wall and back.

2: Each teammate drags another teammate on the blanket.

3: Each teammate drags the blanket with nothing on it.

After the game, encourage kids to discuss the rounds in the race and then ask:

• What was different about each race to you?
• What things in your life might be making your race more difficult than it needs to be?

Christina Schofield
Rolla, Missouri