2 Simple Nursery Activities for Your Children’s Ministry

Hands-on activities are a great way for children to learn, especially for the littlest children in your church nursery. Try out these two simple activities!

2 Simple Nursery Activities for Your Children’s Ministry

1. Celebration Shakers

Toddlers will love playing with these fun sensory bottles as they celebrate God.

You’ll need:

• several small plastic water bottles (empty)
• several colors of 1/8-inch ribbon
• a Phillips-head screwdriver
• small pompoms
• small jingle bells
• super glue

Ahead of time, place bells and pompoms inside the bottles. Using the screwdriver, poke a hole in the center of each bottle lid. Insert six to 10 ribbons cut in 8-inch lengths through the hole in each lid. Tie the ribbons in a tight knot on the inside of the lids; then dab super glue on the knots to keep them secure and in place. Dot super glue on the lid threads and screw the lids tightly into place, ensuring the bottles won’t open. Allow the glue to dry overnight.

Show toddlers the celebration shakers, and say: God loves us. Yay, God!

Invite toddlers to shake the bottles and say “Yay, God!” Point out how God created us, the beautiful colors of the ribbons, and the wonderful sounds of the bells. Let little ones celebrate as long as they’re interested.

2. Copy Me

Babies begin learning to imitate the people around them by as early as 2 months of age. As they grow and develop, older babies and toddlers enjoy playing simple games of imitation. That means we can begin showing little ones early on some of the most important truths of our faith. As you play with little ones, try to get them to imitate you.

Close your eyes, hold hands together in prayer, and say: We talk to God.

Smile wide and say: God makes us happy.

Clap your hands and say: We praise God.

Hold your palms up and say: We thank God.

Pat chest over your heart and say: We love God.

Cross hands over your heart and say: We love each other.

Looking for more nursery ideas? Check out these posts!