Use this delicious, sensory prayer idea to teach preteen and elementary kids in your ministry a memorable (and sweet!) truth about prayer.

Preteen and Elementary Prayer Idea: Sweet and Sour Grab Bags

You’ll Need:

• resealable plastic bags
• sweet candy
• sour candy
• hot candy
• dark chocolate

What You’ll Do

Prepare one grab bag with several different kinds of candy—sweet, sour, hot, and dark chocolate—for every four kids. Form groups of four and give each group a grab bag. Have children take turns reaching into the bag for one candy. When each child has a treat, explain that the candies represent different kinds of prayer.

Use the following key to lead kids in prayer.

• If you get a sweet candy, thank God for a “sweet time” in your life.
• If you get a sour candy, ask God to help you add sweetness, not sourness, to someone else’s day.
• If you get a hot candy, ask God to keep you excited about having a friendship with him.
• If you get a dark-chocolate candy, pray for someone who’s going through a difficult time.

After you’ve prayed, enjoy the treats. Have each child put one of each candy in a sandwich bag to take home. Encourage children to teach their families what they’ve learned about prayer. 

This idea is from Lois Keffer, the author of the best-selling All-in-One Sunday School and All Together Now series (Group Publishing).

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For even more prayer ideas, check out “10 Important Ways to Fill Your Ministry With Prayer.”