Target checkout line. Mom behind me sees craft supplies goes "Oh you must be a teacher that must be so fun planning creative activities every week!"
Fun. Right.
Wanted to tell her most weeks I'm googling "easy kids activities" at 11 PM Saturday cause forgot to plan anything till husband asks what I'm teaching tomorrow.
This idea that kids ministry people naturally overflow with creative ideas is complete myth. Most of us just trying to survive Sunday morning with something keeps kids engaged more than thirty seconds.
Started collecting stuff that actually works with minimal prep and supplies you can grab without special ordering or spending entire budget.
Musical chairs but nobody gets eliminated. When music stops kids find partner share something they're thankful for or name Bible character. No bored eliminated kids causing problems while others play.
Human rock paper scissors using whole bodies. Rock is crouch down paper is spread arms scissors is jumping jacks. Call out directions everyone picks one then finds someone who did different motion plays best two out of three.
Bible story charades relay. Teams get stack of story cards one person acts out story without words rest of team guesses. When they get it right next person goes.
Four corners decision game. Put different answers in corners ask question kids run to matching corner. What's your favorite season what worries you most how do you like to pray.
Build the Bible story with random supplies. Paper plates plastic cups toilet paper tubes whatever lying around. Five minutes to build something represents story you just told then explain their creation.
Bible verse scramble race. Write verse with one word per paper make multiple sets teams race to put in correct order. Winners read verse out loud to everyone.
Freeze dance but when music stops call out character from Bible story kids freeze in pose representing that thing.
Keep instructions simple. Have backup ready cause some activities flop with certain groups. Don't stress about perfect execution kids care more about fun than following rules exactly.
Activities go wrong all the time. Accept it now. Don't panic adapt on fly or move on to something else. Your attitude about things going wrong matters more than things actually going wrong.
*For anyone googling activities at midnight Saturday, teachers who need simple stuff that actually works, people discovering that good enough really is good enough when kids are having fun.
Check out KidsMinistry.Blog for more ideas, tips, and resources to help your Children's Ministry thrive!"