Fall Resources for your KidMin

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Next week (September 23) marks the first official day of fall, so we're getting in the autumnal spirit by sharing some of our favorite fall resources! Check 'em out![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image="6019" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" link="https://deeperkidmin.com/product/not-so-spooky-a-fall-fest-lesson-on-fear/"][vc_column_text]Not So Spooky - A Fall Fest Style Lesson on Fear: Whether you host a fall festival or a trunk-or-treat carnival, Not So Spooky is the perfect lesson for you! It teaches on Isaiah 41:10 (NIrV) and reminds kids that we don’t have to be afraid because God is with us. It uses either a carnival, fall-fest style schedule or a normal large group/small group style schedule. This single lesson...

Pin the Spider on the Web Game + Printable

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Just like pin-the-tail on the donkey, but with a Not So Spooky twist! Children will be blindfolded, spun 3 times, and will try to place a spider on a web picture hanging on the wall. Use this printable to make this game, or create your own. Play at church or equip families with their own at-home Fall Fest resource! [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Prep: Print off the spider web (included in printable) using specific printer settings to blow it up to poster-size (instructions included in printable). Print off the page with the spiders using normal settings. Print more spiders as needed (one per child). Tape/glue your web together (by itself or on a poster board) and cut out the spiders. Hang your web on the wall at child-height, grab some blindfolds and tape, and get ready to...

Gospel-focused Pumpkin Box for Fall

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Whether you're the church that embraces Halloween or ignores it, the holiday (and all its candy) still comes around every year. This year, you can use these gospel-focused pumpkin boxes from Let the Little Children Come to pass out candy AND share about the gospel! These cute little pumpkin boxes come as flat sheets that you punch out and fold into shape. They're super easy to assemble (you could even have the kids help you do it!), and there's just enough space inside the pumpkin box to hold a couple pieces of candy.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image="16656" img_size="large" alignment="center"][vc_column_text]Most importantly, the box helps kids answer the question, "Is there anything better than candy?" by explaining the gospel message of God's love and Jesus' death and resurrection. It uses...

Preschool Playdate Planning Checklist

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Use this Preschool Playdate Planning Checklist to plan for your Preschool Playdate without missing a step![/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Download Printable Planning Checklist Here!" align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F08%2FDKM-Preschool-Playdate-Planning-Checklist-Freebie.pdf||target:%20_blank|"][vc_column_text]1-2 months before: Decide on your Preschool Playdate activity + calendar date. Contact any venues (if necessary) to schedule your group. Create a sign-up form* (if applicable). Share a “save the date” post, email, website event, etc. with the families in your ministry and link to the sign-up form (or provide hard-copies of the sign-up form in person). *One thing to remember about families with preschoolers is that life (and plans)...

6 Low-Prep Preschool Playdates

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Preschool playdates are the perfect way to help preschool families connect with each other and make memories all at the same time! But life (and plans) with a preschooler can often change quickly and at the last-minute. So you don't want to spend a lot of time planning and preparing for an event that ends up with low attendance because Jordan's nap went long or because Ben had an accident while potty-training. Here are 6 low-prep Preschool Playdate Ideas that help preschool families connect and grow without using too much of your prep time (and here's a free printable to help you plan!). Visit a Local Theatre - Your local theatre probably has a children's series (especially in the summer) with plays, interactive shows, and more for littles, so check to see what a theatre near you offers for live performances...

Psalm 63 Hide & Seek Game

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Earlier in the week, we shared about a website we LOVE for finding Bible games for kids, so we figured we'd share another Bible game this week as our free weekly download! Use the classic game of Hide and Seek to help teach kids about Psalm 63 and what it means to "earnestly" seek God.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Download printable version of the game here!" align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F08%2FDKM-Psalm-63-Hide-and-Seek-Game.pdf||target:%20_blank|"][vc_column_text] Psalm 63 Hide and Seek Game Time Estimate: 10-15 minutes Read Psalm 63:1: “O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you…” Ask: What does the word ‘earnestly’ mean? (Honestly, sincerely, intensely, with all you've got) When you are playing the game ‘hide and seek’, how...

Bible Games Central: An Online Hub for All Your Bible Game Needs

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]I discovered this website over the summer and just HAD to make sure you knew about it! Bible Games Central is a website full of super fun FREE Bible games that help teach Christian truths! If you ever need an extra game for a lesson or for an arriver activity, check to see what Bible Games Central has to offer. They've got games for kids, youth, and adults, and you can search through their games based on age, topic, or Scripture reference. Some of the games even come with the free printables you need to play, and almost all of the games include discussion questions and lesson connections! Here are some of my favorites:[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image="16619" img_size="large" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" link="https://biblegamescentral.com/can-you-see/"][vc_btn...

Nursery Care Checklist Printable

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Since we've shared the news with family + made the announcement official, I've got baby on the brain! This week, I'm sharing the Nursery Care Checklist Printable we used to gather important information for the little ones in our nursery and to help parents feel at ease leaving their baby in our care. [/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Download the Nursery Care Checklist Here!" align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F08%2FDKM-Nursery-Care-Checklist-Printable.pdf||target:%20_blank|"][vc_column_text] For your regulars: Print a copy for each child in your nursery and complete the top section. (Tip: Using a sharpie means the writing can be seen easier from a distance!) Then laminate each one, inviting parents to use expo or white board markers to add instructions each...

Help Grandparents Pass on Stories of Faith: Heirlooms Resource Review

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Deeper KidMin family is growing! My husband and I are expecting our first child, due in February, and we could not be more excited! When we shared the exciting news with my parents, I wanted to find a gift to help them start preparing for their first grandchild, and Tina Houser's new book for grandparents was perfect! Heirlooms encourages grandparents (of all circumstances and styles) to share stories and experiences with their grandchildren. Stories draw out emotions, help us relate to each other, answer questions, and show God’s faithfulness. And when you share stories of your life and faith with your grandkids, you help them develop their own stories of life and faith. Tina reminds grandparents: You have a story. Your story is important. It’s important to you, it’s important to the people you...

Faith Without Sight Experiment

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Want a taste of some of the super activities in Conquering Fear Kids Devotional from RoseKidz Publishing? The author and publishers gave me permission to share a free activity with you! Check it out![/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Download printable version here!" align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F08%2FDKM-Faith-Without-Sight-Experiment-.pdf||target:%20_blank|"][vc_column_text] Sometimes it's hard to have faith in Jesus because we can't physically see him anymore. Do this experiment with a grown-up to show how seeing is not believing. Materials: 1 package of yeast 1/4 cup warm water 1 teaspoon sugar Directions: Mix the yeast, water, and sugar together. Wait for about 10 minutes. See what happens! Isn't that incredible? Even...

Conquering Fear Kids Devotional Resource Review

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Box office numbers don't lie, and they tell us that superheroes are in right now. So why not give kids a devotional that uses this superhero fad to develop a super incredible faith? Conquering Fear from RoseKidz Publishing is a 52-week devotional for preteens ages 10-12. Each week includes 6 days of lessons and activities to help kids become one of God's superheroes. Each week has 1-2 Scripture-based devotionals for kids to read and respond to, and then the other activities for the week invite kids to explore the main idea in a variety of ways, including through art, building with Lego's, journaling, and even decoding secret messages! I love how the activities encourage kids to apply scripture in a variety of ways - every kid can find something they enjoy in this devotional! Since each page and activity...

3 Back to School Games

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Use these games to add some fun & competition to your back-to-school event or lesson![/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Download printable version of all 3 games here! " align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F09%2FDKM-3-Back-to-School-Games-Freebie.pdf||target:%20_blank|"][vc_column_text] Lunch Box Race Supplies: 3 empty lunchboxes (or brown paper bags), four lunch items per lunchbox Set out three empty lunchboxes on one side of the stage and three piles of lunch supplies on the other. Each pile can have 4 lunch items, such as a pudding cup, a banana (or orange), a piece of bread, and a small bag of chips. Choose three students to race from their piles to the empty lunch boxes with one item at a time and see who can fill the lunchbox first. Just before they...

Back to School Resources

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]It's back to school season! Parents are buying school supplies, kids are meeting teachers, and kidmin leaders are on the hunt for ways to celebrate this monumental time of year in every child's life. So we compiled some of our best back-to-school resources just for YOU, kidmin leader! Enjoy![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image="5244" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" link="https://deeperkidmin.com/product/back-to-school-blessings/"][vc_column_text]Back to School Blessings Prayer Cards: Share this printable with the families in your ministry and encourage parents to use these scriptures to speak blessings over their children on their first days and weeks of school. Families can print them out and post the prayers around...

Memory Verse Cootie Catcher

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Use this cootie catcher to help kids review any memory verse! It’s a great time filler activity or early arriver activity, and you can send kids home with their very own Memory Verse Cootie Catcher to practice with their family![/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Download the Memory Verse Cootie Catcher here!" align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fproduct%2Ffreebie-memory-verse-cootie-catcher%2F||target:%20_blank|"][vc_column_text]Not sure how to use this memory verse cootie catcher? Here are some ideas: Give each child a cootie catcher. Kids will pair up and take turns working their cootie catcher. They must do whatever the cootie catcher says under the number they choose. Then the other child can work their cootie catcher. After they have both gone, kids switch and find a new partner...

Victory in Jesus Book Review

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]I'm already a fan of Anne Marie Gosnell and her books on object lessons for kids (check out the OT object lessons book here) so when I heard she wrote an object lesson book all about the life of Jesus, I couldn't wait to check it out! Victory in Jesus did not disappoint. The 21 interactive object lessons are written for kids ages 5-12, and they're designed to last 20-30 minutes. That may seem like a long time for one object lesson, but several of the lessons also include background information (so you can teach the story in context), geography information (so kids know where the story happens), and a life application (so kids know why it's relevant). I love these additional resources with each object lesson to help round out the lesson and give kids a deeper understanding of the big picture of Jesus'...

Promotion Sunday Social Media Graphics

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]This week, we're sharing 8 Promotion Sunday social media graphics! I hope these slides help you share about your upcoming Promotion Sunday on social media! Most of the graphics have “dead space” on the graphic for you to add the date, time, or other details for your Promotion Sunday. Use a program like Photoshop, Publisher, or even PowerPoint to add text or your ministry logo to these graphics. Please note: this download is a zipped file, meaning it will not open on a mobile device. [/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Download all 8 Promotion Sunday Graphics Here!" align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F09%2FDKM-Promotion-Sunday-Social-Media-Graphics.zip||target:%20_blank|"][vc_column_text]The Movin’ On Up graphic is from our balloon-themed Promotion...

Back to School Teacher Treat Bag Activity

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Use this back-to-school activity to invite kids to write a note to their new teacher + make a little goody bag for them! It’s a great way to encourage kids to pray for their teachers and do something special for the first day of school.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Download the Back To School Teacher Treat Bag Printable Here!" align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F09%2FDKM-Back-To-School-Teacher-Treat-Bags.pdf||target:%20_blank|"][vc_column_text]Supplies: Pages 2-3 of this printable, pens, goody bag items, stapler, ziplock bags Details: In this activity, kids will write a note to their new teacher (using page 2) and tell them they are looking forward to the new year. They can also put together a goody bag with items like ink pens, highlighters, post...

All About Me Activity for Promotion Sunday

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Use this All About Me Printable to help kids record facts and details about who they are now, and check out how I used this printable in a small group activity from the Movin’ On Up Promotion Sunday Lesson on Luke 2:41-52.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Download All About Me Activity Printable Here" align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F09%2FDKM-All-About-Me-Activity.pdf||target:%20_blank|"][vc_column_text]Supplies: All About Me sheets (for younger kids), notebook paper, pens, envelopes Detailed Instructions: Invite the children to sit in a circle so you can give instructions before passing out materials. Say: Today we are talking about growing up. Who can tell me the 4 ways Jesus grew in Luke 2:41-52 and the 4 ways we grow too? (mentally, physically,...

Time to Reflect

Summer is a busy time. Between VBS, vacation, summer camps, volunteer training, and preparing for the year ahead, there's a lot to think about as a kidmin leader. But if you're intentional, the summer can also be a great season to reflect on the past year and dream about the year ahead. It's a time to note milestones and record celebrations from the year so you can reflect on God's faithfulness now and next year when you look back on what you wrote. I use this One-Line-A-Day Memory Journal as a gratitude journal, and each night before bed, I write down at least 3 things I was thankful for that day. I'm now in year 2 of this habit, and while going to bed each night focused on what I'm thankful for has been a great perspective-change, my favorite part is looking back at what I was thankful for last year and seeing how God has been working in my...

Top Volunteer Resources

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We're throwing it back this week to some of our top volunteer resources, posts, and freebies. Browse the list below and download everything you need to prepare your volunteer team for the school year ahead.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_single_image image="5005" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" link="https://deeperkidmin.com/hostingallstarvolunteertraining/"][vc_column_text]Volunteer Training is a vital part of your ministry, but it can be difficult to pull off with excellence. It’s hard to get all of your volunteers in the same room at the same time, and even if you do that, how do you make a somewhat tedious conversation more exciting and informative for your entire team?[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Read 8 Tips for...

Superhero Name Game Printable

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Earlier in the week, we talked about creating a culture of fun with your volunteer team, and one easy way to do that is with simple games like this week's free download. Help your volunteers find their secret superhero identity! Use this printable as a fun team-building/ice breaker activity at your Calling All Superheroes Volunteer Training, with the kids in your ministry, or just as a fun exercise for your volunteers! We invited our volunteers to share their Superhero name, their kryptonite (favorite snack or candy), and even used these names throughout the year![/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Download Superhero Name Game Here!" align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F09%2FDKM-Superhero-Name-Game-Printable.pdf||target:%20_blank|"][vc_single_image image="14138"...

Create a Culture of Fun with Your Volunteer Team

When people have fun serving in your ministry, they'll want to serve more often (Can I get a hallelujah?). So how do you create a culture of fun where volunteers WANT to stay plugged in and serving with your ministry? Give Gifts. Everyone loves getting presents, so whether you do one big gift each year or smaller gifts each semester, find a way to give unique and thoughtful gifts to your volunteers, even if it's just a handwritten note! Need some ideas? Here's a list of 24 appreciation gifts our followers have given (Tip: handwritten notes were the most popular and most appreciated, so you don't have to spend money!). Have team t-shirts. Nothing says "we're a team" like matching t-shirts. Whether you give out the t-shirts as gifts or you ask your volunteers to purchase a ministry t-shirt, offering this simple and fun option helps give your...

Twix Candy Devotional Printable

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Use a Twix bar and this printable devotional to help kids learn about the importance of friendship![/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Download Twix Candy Devotion Here!" align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F09%2FDKM-Twix-Candy-Devotion.pdf||target:%20_blank|"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_column_text]Want even more candy devotionals? Check out the Sweet Thoughts Download: Quick devotions flavored by different candies that anyone can do! Click here to learn more.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_single_image image="12646" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank"...

Resource Review: Pray Like This – A Guided Prayer Journal For Kids

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]I'm always looking for new resources teaching kids about prayer, so I was pumped to stumble across a brand-new guided prayer journal for kids: Pray Like This. Pray Like This walks kids through a daily time of prayer that includes a portion of the Lord's Prayer, Scripture, a short explanation, a prayer prompt, and space to journal/write/draw in response to the day's idea. In the intro, it encourages kids to make this journal their own, giving them the freedom to doodle, underline, draw, or color in the book to their heart's content.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image="13982" img_size="large" alignment="center"][vc_column_text]Throughout the journal, kids have the chance to break down the Lord's prayer, learn what each piece of the prayer really means, and pray about ways they can apply the prayer in their...

3 Memory Verse Games for Kids

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Use these 3 games with any memory verse to help the kids in your ministry hide God's Word in their hearts while building relationships, working on teamwork, and having fun! Find even more memory verse games (12 in all) here![/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Download printable version of all 3 games here!" align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F09%2FDKM-3-Memory-Verse-Games-For-Kids.pdf||target:%20_blank|"][vc_column_text]#1 - Pins & Pans: Students must clip clothespins around a pie pan in the correct order of the memory verse! Before class, write the scripture reference in the middle of your aluminum pie pans. Then write words from the verse on clothespins - one word per clothespin. Repeat this with a different color marker on the other pie pan. Separate and...