Helping Families Navigate Conversations About the Violence in Ukraine

Last year, the Lent season began around the 1-year-anniversary of the onset of a global pandemic. This year, the Lent season begins alongside an eruption of violence and chaos in the country of Ukraine that has ripple effects worldwide. Both situations (and all of the others that have happened in between) pull us out of our normal routines and force us to look both inward and outward. Janel Cubbage, a psychotherapist and Bloomberg Fellow with Johns Hopkins, recently tweeted: Respectfully, after the last two years I think we’re beyond the “is anyone else having trouble concentrating with everything going on” phase and need to be asking why we’re upholding a culture that expects us to carry on business as usual. Lent is historically a season to focus on suffering, confession, fasting, and prayer. It's a season when we're supposed to...

Kids Devotion Giveaway: The Bible Food Truck

Vanessa Myers always finds ways to help kids connect with God's Word, and The Bible Food Truck does exactly that! I love this food-truck-themed devotion for kids that invites them to dig into the Bible. There are 75 devotions total that focus on Bible verses that talk about food, drink, or fasting, starting in Genesis and working through both the Old and New Testaments. Each devotion is straightforward and simple enough for kids to digest, but also deep enough to give them something to chew on and apply. The action steps at the end of each devotional help kids take their faith to go and make it applicable in their everyday lives. These ideas help kids not just read Scripture but put it into action too. The overarching project of creating your own food truck is such a fun way to tie all of the devotions together, and what a great goal for kids to...

Family Fasting Plan Printable

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Share the printable on the following page with the families in your ministry to encourage them to think and pray together about what they can give up for Lent - as individual family members and as a whole family. Invite them to hang the printable on their fridge and encourage each other throughout the entire season of Lent. Remind them that Lent isn't just about giving something up. Lent is about making room in our hearts and lives for God to fill us up with His presence and His word. Find more ways to encourage families to celebrate Lent here.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Download the Family Fasting Plan Printable Here" align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2022%2F02%2FDKM-Family-Fasting-Plan-Printable.pdf|target:_blank"][vc_single_image image="76015"...

8 Ways to Encourage Families To Celebrate Lent (No Matter Their Background)

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Lent is the Christian season, beginning on Ash Wednesday and ending with Holy Week, that encourages believers to pray, fast, and serve as a way to prepare their hearts for the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The ultimate goal of Lent is to draw closer to God. Much like Advent prepares our hearts for Christmas, Lent prepares our hearts for Easter. Not all Christian traditions place the same emphasis on Lent. I never observed Lent growing up, and 99% of what I know about Lent, I've learned as an adult. I have friends who take the season very seriously with daily devotions and family-wide fasting, and I have other friends who don't really pay much attention until Holy Week. At our current church, we host an Ash Wednesday service, our pastor leads us through a Lenten series each Sunday leading up...

I Love You Because Jar… Valentine Family Prayer Activity

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Invite families to talk to God about their love for Him this Valentine's Day with this simple family prayer activity![/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Download a printable copy here!" align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2022%2F01%2FDKM-I-love-you-because-jar-family-prayer-freebie.pdf|target:_blank"][vc_column_text] For this activity, families will need: A jar or container Popsicle sticks or strips of paper (If they don't have either of these, you can share the last page of the printable with them!) Prayer Activity: Why do you love God? Have you ever stopped to think about it? God does so many amazing things for us. God is a God of love, a God who takes care of us, & a God who hears us when we pray - just to name a few! Think about the reasons you love...

Brand New Bible Games! (And a giveaway!)

I don't know about you, but we love board games at our house! I'm always on the lookout for fun and new games, and when I heard about Bible Games Central's latest games, the biblical themes and focus were a major bonus! Here are 3 new games from Bible Games Central we are loving: Bible Match It Link It - This game is like the Bible version of Spot It, which has been my niece's favorite game to play since she was little. Bible Match It Link It is a fast-paced game played with 57 unique octagonal tiles. Each tile has eight images, one on each edge of the octagon. On any 2 Bible Match It Link It tiles, there is always 1 (and only 1) matching image. I can't wait to try out this Bible version with her this holiday season! I can already imagine the conversations it will spark as we explore the 4 different ways to play and read through the accompanying...

Christmas Family Checklist

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Give the families in your ministry an easy way to enjoy the holidays together, make memories, and celebrate Christ.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Download the Christmas Family Checklist Here! " align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F11%2FDKM-Christmas-Family-Checklist-Freebie-for-Christmas-2020.pdf||target:%20_blank|"][vc_column_text]Print the checklist page on cardstock and distribute to the families in your ministry. How many of the Christmas activities can they complete before Christmas Day? Option: Invite families to complete as many activities they can, then return the checklist to you for a special prize![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_single_image image="17342" img_size="full" alignment="center"...

Last Christmas 2021

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Last Christmas, we shared these ideas & freebies, but some of you weren't here. This year, to save you some time, I'm bringing them back in case you missed them. Ok, so maybe those aren't the lyrics, but it's true! (And you already have my heart anyway, kidmin leader.) Here are our top resources from Last Christmas (and Last Last Christmas and  Last Last Last Christmas and Last Last Last Last Christmas too!)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_single_image image="44994" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" link="https://deeperkidmin.com/christmas-nativity-jigsaw-printable/"][vc_custom_heading text="Christmas Nativity Jigsaw Printable" font_container="tag:h2|text_align:center" use_theme_fonts="yes"...

Twas the Season of Advent Devotional Giveaway!

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As someone whose only experience with Advent growing up was putting another velcro plushie ornament on our cloth Advent tree wall hanging, I've been trying to learn more and be more intentional with the season of Advent as an adult. And now that I have a daughter of my own, I want to share what I'm learning with her! That's why I'm super excited about author Glenys Nellist's new book: Twas the Season of Advent: Devotions and Stories for the Christmas season. And what's even more exciting is Glenys and ZonderKids have agreed to host a giveaway for our Deeper KidMin followers this week! Twas the Season of Advent shares stories from the Old and New Testaments that highlight the promise of Jesus' birth. Beginning December 1, there are 25 total readings leading up to Christmas Day on December 25. Each reading...

Christmas Catalog 2021

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]It's time to Deck the Halls and have a cup of cheer! We hope these Christmas ideas/resources help make your season merry and bright! Want a more visual rundown of our best Christmas resources for 2021? Check out our DKM 2021 Christmas Catalog![/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Download the DKM 2021 Christmas Catalog here!" align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F11%2FDKM-Christmas-Catalog-2021.pdf|target:_blank"][vc_toggle title="Brand New for 2021"]Sing to the Lord 4-Week Christmas Series - The Sing to the Lord series is aimed at children ages 5-11 years to help them learn what it means to worship, give to and praise the Lord this Christmas. This teaching series includes lots of different elements to help make your lesson Biblical, fun, interactive, relational,...

From Gratitude to Generosity

November in the U.S. means Thanksgiving will soon be upon us. It will be a month focused on gratitude and thankfulness, and we've even shared 4 ways to help kids develop an attitude of gratitude in the past. But if our focus ends at gratitude, we do our kids and families a disservice. Thanksgiving is not just about gratitude; it's about how our gratitude leads to generosity. Take a look at the name itself. Sure, Thanksgiving is all about "giving thanks," but I think we can also identify the themes of gratitude (thanks-) and generosity (-giving) in the title. Gratitude and generosity coexist as two sides of the same coin, and we can't cultivate one without the other. Gratitude stems from a place of contentment and causes an abundance mindset in life. If life is abundance and not scarcity, then I can afford to be generous with others....

I Wonder – New Illustrated Bible Giveaway!

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]I'm a big fan of Christian author, Glenys Nellist (one of my daughter's favorite books is Good News! God Made Me), so when I heard she was releasing a brand new, illustrated children's Bible, I was PUMPED! And what's even better is Glenys and ZonderKids have agreed to host a giveaway for our Deeper KidMin followers this week! I Wonder: Exploring God's Grand Story takes 16 stories from the Old Testament and 14 stories from the New Testament, sharing them in a storytelling narrative alongside beautiful illustrations. But most children's Bibles do that, right? So what makes I Wonder any different? With each story, Glenys has included 3 "I wonder..." questions that encourage kids to explore God's character, think intentionally about the story, and imagine how they fit into God's big story themselves. For...

Pumpkin PlayDoh Recipe

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Share this recipe and link with the families in your ministry to invite them to make pumpkin playdoh this fall! Then as kids play, encourage them to say things they are thankful for or spend time praying to God.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Download a Printable Version of the Recipe here!" align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F09%2FDKM-Pumpkin-Playdoh-Recipe-Freebie.pdf|target:_blank"][vc_column_text] Supplies Needed: 1 ½ cups flour ¾ cup salt 1 ½ tsp cream of tartar 1 Tbsp pumpkin pie spice 1 ½ cups water 1 Tbsp oil Red food coloring - 5 drops Yellow food coloring - 5 drops Instructions: This recipe can be found here on the Natural Beach Living website. On this website, you can find the instructions for exactly how to make...

15 Fall Service Projects for Families

The fall season is the perfect time to encourage families to serve your church and your community! Here are 15 fall service project ideas families can complete together: Write a thank you note to your teacher Shop for and stuff a box for Operation Christmas Child (This event guide does the work for you!) Leave a snack & note for the mail carrier Clean something for someone else Raise & donate money for offering or a mission partner at church Pick up trash in a local park Visit a nursing home Donate used towels and blankets to a local animal shelter Send flowers to someone going through a hard time Volunteer at church on a Sunday morning Write a holiday card to a soldier Make a freezer meal for your church’s foster families (This free download makes it easy!) Donate to a local food bank Rake...

5 Unique Fall Family Events

Fall is a great season to reconnect with families! Whether you're connecting with families in-person, digitally, or at a distance, here are some of our favorite and most creative fall family events: Reverse Trick or Treating - Every kid is familiar with trick-or-treating. You dress up, walk to a neighbor’s house, ring the doorbell, say “Trick or Treat!” and you get free candy! But what if you could REVERSE this fall activity and utilize it as a community outreach and family service project? In this Fall outreach event, instead of going door-to-door asking for candy, families go door-to-door to hand out candy and collect donations for a local charity! Read more about how this works here and download a full guide to host your own Reverse Trick or Treating Event here. Glow Night - Whether your church recognizes Halloween or not, your...

Fall Family Bucket List Freebie

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]How many of these fall activities can your families complete this fall season? Share the following page with the families in your ministry by handing it out at your Fall Fest, on a Sunday morning, or as part of a fall gift! Encourage families to complete as many of the tasks as they can, sharing pictures on social media and tagging your ministry or using a specific hashtag. Watch and enjoy as families spend intentional time with each other and in God's Word this fall![/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Download the Fall Family Bucket List Here!" align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F08%2FDKM-Fall-Family-Bucket-List-Freebie.pdf|target:_blank"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_single_image image="63667" img_size="full" alignment="center"...

Color Prayer Spinner: Back-to-School Prayer Activity

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Share this prayer activity with the kids and families in your ministry to help them start the school year with intentional prayer! Kids can make the spinners as part of a back-to-school activity/lesson at church or complete the entire thing at home.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Download the Color Prayer Spinner Back-To-School Prayer Activity Here!" align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F07%2FDKM-Color-Prayer-Spinner-Back-To-School-Prayer-Activity-For-Kids.pdf|target:_blank"][vc_column_text] Supplies (per child) Color Prayer Spinner Printable scissors brad/split pin paper clip coloring utensils How it works: Kids create the spinner, then spin it! Whatever color it lands on, kids pray that prompt and color in the wedge. They can do one wedge...

5 Ways to Celebrate Back-To-School Season in Your Ministry

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Knowing the rhythms of life for the families you serve and stepping into those rhythms to celebrate milestones is a key factor in connecting with your families. One of the biggest milestones each year is back-to-school season! So here are 5 ways to celebrate this important time in your children's ministry: Host a special event - Whether it's a family event like a Back to School Prayer Bash,  a Family Trivia Night, or a kids-only event that gives the parents a break (like our brand new science-themed Parents' Night Out), hosting a fun kick-of event for the Back to School Season is a great way to help families celebrate! You could even bring back some of the creative alternatives from last year during COVID-season, like the Drive Through Back-to-School Event that my church hosted! Equip families to...

Sermon Notes Printable for Pre-Readers

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We both know how important it is to engage, not just occupy kids in a family service, and one effective way to do that is through Sermon Notes for Kids! But what do you do for the kiddos who can't read yet? This week's free printable may help![/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Download the Pre-Reader Sermon Notes Here!" align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F06%2FDKM-Sermon-Notes-for-Pre-Readers.pdf|target:_blank"][vc_column_text]Share the printable above with the little ones in your ministry to help them engage in a family worship service. At the beginning of the service, parents will need to explain to their kids what to do, but then the pre-readers just listen for the words they're looking for and practice their writing/coloring skills! And if you're looking for...

Identity Truths Kids Need to Know

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]In a world that is constantly telling kids who they are and who they should be, we have a vital responsibility as children's ministry leaders to teach kids about who they are in Christ. Unless kids hear and embrace the truths God declares about them, they will not come to a full understanding of who they are in Christ and will never reach their full God-given potential. Here are just a few important truths kids need to internalize... I am who God says I am. (“So God created human beings in his own likeness..." Genesis 1:27 (NIrV)) In Christ, I am REDEEMED. (“'For I have redeemed you,’ God says.” Isaiah 43:1 (NKJV)) In Christ, I am a NEW CREATION. ("When anyone lives in Christ, the new creation has come. The old is gone! The new is here!" 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIrV)) In Christ, I am a CHILD...

Color-Themed Preschool Playdate

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Host a preschool playdate that invites little ones and their parents to fellowship with one another and learn about God's beautiful colors through storytime and play! Read the suggested book (or another book about colors), then set up the play stations and allow kids to enjoy time together while their parents fellowship too![/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Download a Printable Copy Here!" align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F06%2FDKM-Color-themed-Preschool-Playdate.pdf|target:_blank"][vc_column_text] Supplies: Storytime book, items of various colors & matching color bowls (i.e. buttons, feathers, paper shapes, plastic blocks, pom poms, and pipe cleaners for sensory table), bubbles, wands, paper plates, colored streamers (cut into 4-inch pieces), glue sticks,...

Scripture Stars: 4th of July Family Faith Activity

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Share this fun summer activity with the families in your ministry to help them decorate their house for the 4th of July and remind them of the freedom we have in Jesus! It's a great way to help them form tiny habits that incorporate scripture into their lives![/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Download Printable Copy Here!" align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F06%2FDKM-Scripture-Stars-Freebie.pdf|target:_blank"][vc_column_text] Supplies: red, white, and blue cardstock, star templates from online, gluestick, markers, Bible Instructions: Search the internet for star templates. Print and cut out stars of different sizes on red, white, and blue cardstock. Layer the stars by gluing a smaller star on top of a larger star. Then write one of the Bible verses...

Sizzling Summer Resources for Your KidMin

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Things are heating up as summer rolls around, but that doesn't mean the spiritual life of your kids has to cool down! While summertime often means even more sporadic church attendance as families enjoy trips, vacations, and downtime, the summer can be an opportunity for spiritual growth for the kids and families you lead. Let us help you and your families dive into God's Word this summer with some of these sizzling summer resources![/vc_column_text][vc_toggle title="New for 2021" custom_font_container="tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%233ac1e1" custom_use_theme_fonts="yes" use_custom_heading="true"] Summer Social Media Challenges - We know that summer (and especially summer in a worldwide pandemic!) can be a tough time to try to connect with families, so this resource includes eight simple and fun ideas you...

Faith Spark App – Digital Discipleship Platform for KidMin

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]After digging into digital discipleship in children's ministry this April, I heard about a new app called Faith Spark and had to share! (Note: I have not paid to endorse Faith Spark, and I won't earn anything if you choose to check it out. It's just a really cool resource that I wanted to make sure you knew about!) Faith Spark is a discipleship platform and follow-up app that connects kids to their faith community. It was originally designed for camps to use to follow up with kids after leaving camp, but after spending some time on the app myself, (you can request your own free trial here), I can see so many great ways to use this app in your children's ministry! Small group (and large group) communications - The chat feature allows you to connect with kids and talk with them throughout the week. You can...

Teaching Kids About Pentecost

Does your church recognize and celebrate Pentecost Sunday? It's a church holiday that I didn't even learn about until I was an adult, but recognizing Pentecost offers great value to kids in teaching them about the early church and the Holy Spirit. Use this resource and the ideas below to help your kids and families learn about and celebrate this special day in the Church! What is Pentecost? Pentecost is a Christian day that commemorates the descending of the Holy Spirit and the beginning of the church, also known as the birthday of the church. You can read about Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2. Christians celebrate this day on the 50th day after Easter. And - because God's timing is so cool and He intentionally orchestrates events - Pentecost is actually a Jewish holiday, also called Shavuot, that happened 50 days after...