Are you looking for Christian games for children’s ministry that keep kids both engaged and learning? These fun, interactive activities are perfect for teaching Bible stories and instilling Christian values through play. Whether you’re leading Sunday School, organizing a Vacation Bible School, or planning a church event, these games will help children connect with their faith in an exciting way that’s easy to set up and enjoyable for all ages.
1. Bible Story Scavenger Hunt
Bible Story Scavenger Hunt is one of the best Christian games for children’s ministry. It’s an interactive way for kids to learn Bible stories as they search for hidden items.
What’s the goal? A simplified scavenger hunt for little ones to help them learn Bible stories in a fun and active way.
How to play: Hide pictures or objects around the room that relate to a Bible story (e.g., a picture of a rainbow for Noah's Ark or a small fish for the story of Jonah). The children work together to find the items, and after each discovery, you briefly explain how the object relates to the story.
Lesson Connection: Focus on a well-known story (like Noah’s Ark or Jonah) and talk about God’s promises or obedience to Him.
Pro Tip: Keep the items large and colorful to catch their attention easily.
2. Follow the Leader: Jesus Edition
Follow the Leader: Jesus Edition is a simple yet meaningful Christian game for children’s ministry that teaches kids about following Jesus through fun and active play.
What’s the goal? Teach preschoolers about following Jesus by playing this simple game of "Follow the Leader."
How to play: One child is the “leader” and the others follow their movements (hopping, clapping, etc.). While playing, you can talk about how we follow Jesus and do what He does.
Lesson Connection: Connect the game to Bible stories where people followed Jesus (e.g., the disciples).
Pro Tip: Rotate the leader often so everyone gets a turn!
3. Noah’s Animal Match
Noah’s Animal Match is a fun and simple game that lets kids pair up like the animals on Noah’s Ark, while learning about God’s promises through this classic Bible story.
What’s the goal? A simple and fun matching game inspired by Noah’s Ark.
How to play: Give each child a picture of an animal. They have to find the friend who has the same animal to make a pair, just like the animals on Noah’s Ark!
Lesson Connection: After they’ve matched up, talk briefly about the story of Noah and the Ark, and God’s promise symbolized by the rainbow.
Pro Tip: For added fun, have them act out the animal sounds as they search for their match.
4. Fruit of the Spirit Beanbag Toss
The Fruit of the Spirit Beanbag Toss is an engaging way for kids to learn about love, joy, peace, and more as they aim for targets representing each Fruit of the Spirit.
What’s the goal? Teach preschoolers about the Fruits of the Spirit in a fun and active way.
How to play: Set up buckets or baskets labeled with different “Fruits of the Spirit” (love, joy, peace, etc.). Preschoolers take turns tossing beanbags into the baskets while you explain what each Fruit of the Spirit means in a simple way.
Lesson Connection: Talk about how these qualities are gifts from God and how we can share them with others.
Pro Tip: Keep the explanations short and use examples they understand, like sharing or being kind to a friend.
5. David and Goliath Knockdown
Another engaging Christian game for children’s ministry is David and Goliath Knockdown, where kids get to reenact the famous story using soft balls and blocks.
What’s the goal? Teach little ones the story of David and Goliath in a hands-on way.
How to play: Build a small “Goliath” out of blocks or cardboard, and give each child a soft ball to knock it down, just like David defeated Goliath with his sling.
Lesson Connection: After playing, talk about how God helped David, even though he was small, and how God helps us too.
Pro Tip: Make sure the "Goliath" is easy to knock down to keep the game fun and frustration-free for the little ones.
6. Jesus Loves Me Freeze Dance
Jesus Loves Me Freeze Dance gets kids moving to the music while reinforcing the message of Jesus’ love with every pause in the dance.
What’s the goal? Get preschoolers moving while reinforcing the message that Jesus loves them.
How to play: Play a fun, upbeat Christian song (like "Jesus Loves Me"). When the music stops, the kids have to freeze in place. While they’re frozen, say something about Jesus’ love for them, like “Jesus loves you because you’re kind!”
Lesson Connection: Remind them that Jesus loves us all the time, even when we’re dancing or freezing!
Pro Tip: Keep the music playing for short bursts, so it’s easy for little ones to follow along.
7. Jonah and the Whale Storytime
Jonah and the Whale Storytime is a fun Christian game for children’s ministry that brings the story of Jonah to life, helping kids learn about listening to God.
What’s the goal? An easy and fun storytelling game to reinforce the story of Jonah.
How to play: Get a large blanket and have the kids pretend it’s a whale. Choose one child to be Jonah and gently wrap them in the blanket “whale” while telling the story of Jonah. When you get to the part where Jonah is released, unwrap the blanket and let Jonah out!
Lesson Connection: Afterward, talk about how Jonah learned to listen to God and how we can listen to God too.
Pro Tip: Let each child take turns being Jonah.
8. God’s Creation Coloring Relay
God’s Creation Coloring Relay combines movement and creativity as kids color different elements of the world, learning about the beauty of God’s creations.
What’s the goal? Teach the kids about God’s creation through art and movement.
How to play: Set up stations with coloring sheets of different parts of creation (animals, trees, the sun, etc.). Have the kids run (or walk) to a station, color for a short time, then run to the next. After the game, talk about how God made all the beautiful things they colored.
Lesson Connection: Focus on how everything God made is special, including each child.
Pro Tip: Keep the coloring stations close together for shorter attention spans.
9. Jesus Calms the Storm Water Play
The Jesus Calms the Storm Water Play is a sensory-based Christian game for children’s ministry that illustrates how Jesus brings peace in any situation.
What’s the goal? A sensory-based game to help little ones understand the story of Jesus calming the storm.
How to play: Fill a small tub with water and use a toy boat. Have the kids gently make “storm” waves with their hands, and then say, “Peace, be still,” and have them calm the water.
Lesson Connection: Talk about how Jesus is with us during life’s storms and helps us feel calm and safe.
Pro Tip: For indoor play, use a towel underneath to catch any water splashes.
10. Resurrection Egg Matching
Resurrection Egg Matching is a hands-on activity that guides kids through the story of Jesus’ resurrection, using colorful eggs to make each part of the story come alive.
What’s the goal? Help the kids learn the story of Jesus’ resurrection in a simple, hands-on way.
How to play: Use plastic eggs with small symbols inside (a cross, a small rock, etc.). Lay out the eggs, and let the kids take turns opening them and matching the symbol to a picture that represents a part of the Resurrection story.
Lesson Connection: Talk briefly about each part of the Resurrection story as they match the symbols, using language they can understand.
Pro Tip: Use bright, colorful eggs to keep their attention.
These simplified Christian games for children's ministry will keep the kids engaged while learning important Bible stories and values. They are perfect for little hands, short attention spans, and curious hearts! Whether you’re leading Sunday School, VBS, or just want to have fun during a church gathering, these activities will help plant seeds of faith in your youngest attendees. Happy playing!
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