12 Things Invented By Kids

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Kids are some of the most creative people on the planet, and we have the privilege of helping them discover how to use that creativity for the Kingdom. Their brains often see solutions to problems that our adult brains don't. So next time you encounter a problem in your ministry, ask some of your kids how they would solve the problem. While you might get some funny answers, I'd bet one of them says something that sparks a valuable solution. After all, the 12 items below were invented by kids to solve a problem they faced. Use this list in a teaching time or encouraging note to inspire the kids in your ministry to use their gifts and talents to solve problems and serve others! BRAILLE LANGUAGE by Louis Braille, 12 CHRISTMAS LIGHTS by Albert Sadacca, 15 TRAMPOLINE by George Nissen, 16 POPSICLE by...

Fall Family Challenge Printable

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Share this Fall Family Challenge with your families to help them celebrate the autumn season and have some fun together! Encourage families to post pictures of their family challenges on social media, tagging your church or using a specific hashtag. Give families a whole month, or set a few specific challenges each week. You choose what works best for you![/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Download the Fall Family Challenge Here!" align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F08%2FDeeper-KidMin-Fall-Family-Challenge-Freebie.pdf||target:%20_blank|"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_single_image image="38960" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank"...

COVID-Friendly Fall Resources

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Although autumn won't technically begin until the end of September, I know you're already planning what to do this year. How will you pull off your Fall Festival, Trunk or Treat, or other fall event while also maintaining social distancing and keeping everyone safe? Whether you're gathering in person, hosting a drive-through event, or equipping parents for the fall season at home, these ideas may help![/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text="In-Person Fall Events" font_container="tag:h2|text_align:center" use_theme_fonts="yes"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Preschool Playdate Brown Bag Hunt- Host this event for the littles with social-distancing at a local park, or distribute the game to preschool families with a brown lunch bag to complete on their own! Learn more and download the...

Back to School Customizable Calendar

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Use this customizable Back to School Calendar to provide families with daily prompts to keep them connected to God and each other! The goal: each day’s activity should take five minutes or less. There are no dates on the calendar so you can begin and end whenever you want! Please note: The customizable feature will not show up on a mobile device. Read the Editable PDF instructions below for more details.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Click here to download the customizable Back to School Calendar!" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F08%2FDKM-Back-to-School-Customizable-Calendar-Freebie.pdf||target:%20_blank|"][vc_column_text]Recommended Ideas for Daily Activities: Make each day of the week fit a specific theme or idea: Prayer Prompt Sundays (Tell God one thing...

Drive-Through Food Drive Back to School Event

Since we can't do our normal Back to School Bash this year (thanks COVID), we're getting creative with another idea instead! Our children's pastor wanted to find a fun way to distribute our Back to School Kits to families while also helping our food pantry stock up on the most-needed items for the year ahead. So she came up with Drive Away Hunger: A Drive-Through Food Drive Event!  What is it? Drive Away Hunger is a back to school event that helps us connect with our people and also gives back to the community. It's a drive-through food drive where families bring donations for our food pantry, and they also pick up a Back to School Kit and an ice cream treat! How will it work? Church members of all ages are invited to drive through the church parking lot and drop off their donations anytime between 6:30-8:00 PM on Wednesday, August 19....

Back to School Survival Kits

Making back to school survival kits are the perfect opportunity for you to connect with the families in your ministry as they head back to school. With so much uncertainty and diversity in back-to-school plans, a Back to School Survival Kit can be a great opportunity to provide families with simple ways to connect with God and each other! The point of the survival kit is to provide families with items they’ll need to “survive” the school year. You can include a spiritual element like the freebie calendar we'll share on Friday, August 21, this Back to School Prayer Journal for Kids, or this full Back to School Survival Kit that includes a family devotional and the list of ideas below. But you can also include physical items that offer practical help and encouragement. Here are some ideas for packing and distributing your Back to School...

Grief Journal for Kids

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Our giveaway for Martha Black's book is over, but we're also sharing this free printable grief journal for kids that Martha made! Use this journaling activity from author Martha Black to help kids process their grief and remember a loved one who has passed away.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Download the Grief Journal Activity Here! " align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F08%2FAuthor-Martha-Black-Freebie.pdf||target:%20_blank|"][vc_column_text]Martha is an author, blogger, wife, mom, and a public elementary school teacher, who lost her mom to cancer in 2015. She felt God leading her to begin a grief ministry for others who were also hurting from the loss of a loved one, and she wrote this book as an extension of that ministry. Thanks Martha, for allowing us to...

Book Review & Giveaway: You’ll Find Me at the Ocean

This week, we're teaming up with Martha Black from Martha Black Ministries to share about her new book: You'll Find Me at the Ocean - A Journey of Grief through the Eyes of a Child. Martha is an author, blogger, wife, mom, and a public elementary school teacher, who lost her mom to cancer in 2015. She felt God leading her to begin a grief ministry for others who were also hurting from the loss of a loved one, and she wrote this book as an extension of that ministry. (Learn how to win a free copy below!) The book tells the story of young Beth, whose mama is dying of cancer. Mama shares with her daughter how she will always be near, even after she has passed away from her earthly life. Mama reassures Beth that she can always be found at the ocean: in the seashells, the salty breeze, the sunrise, and so many more places. One of my favorite...

Brain Dump Activity: 4 Steps to Reduce Stress and Maximize Productivity

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Anyone else feeling just a *bit* overwhelmed lately?  😅 🙋 Me too. Between back to school, figuring out what ministry looks like, feeding the family, finding time to exercise, and all the other things, there’s a lot rattling around in my brain! Maybe you can relate. (And if you can relate, we want to help!) Sometimes it's just all so overwhelming, you don't even know where to start. That’s why I love brain dumps. What is a brain dump? I learned about brain dumps from my friend and leadership coach Joy Canupp, and a brain dump is exactly what it sounds like: dumping the contents of your mind out onto paper to clear out the mental clutter and give you the clarity to move forward. A brain dump is effective because it allows you to calm the whirling tornado of thoughts and bring them to a more...

We Want To Help

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As we move into the school year in the midst of COVID-19, life and ministry look more different than ever before. That's why we wanted to check in, see how you're doing, and ask how we can help you navigate this season. Thank you for taking a few minutes to answer this survey that will help us serve you better as you serve and lead kids! Click here to access the survey or complete the version below. Note: Survey closes August 12,...