Tags: Summer

5 Ways to Change Things Up This Summer in Your KidMin

Summer often means more sporadic attendance - for both families and volunteers. It's a great season to change things up and keep things exciting for the kids, but sometimes it means relying on volunteers who don't typically serve in your ministry. So what can you do to change things up to accommodate fluctuating numbers and give a more laid-back feel for you and your team? Here are 5 ideas: Take things outside (or at least change up your seating). If your weather, size, and space allows, invite kids to grab a chair or set up some picnic blankets and teach the lesson outside! They’ll love the change of scenery and it’s a much more casual environment that sometimes more easily allows for the next two ideas. If you can’t go outside, consider changing the seating to sit in a circle, on the floor instead of in chairs, etc. - something to...
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4 Places to Find Summer Volunteers for Your Ministry

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Volunteers are hard to come by in the world of children's ministry, especially during the summer after your team has been serving all year long! When possible, it can help to give your regular volunteer team a break during the summer months so they can relax, recharge, and refresh. Our subscribers have access to a Summer Serve printable that can help them recruit a team of summer volunteers, and here are 4 specific places to find volunteers to serve in your ministry during the summer months... College Students - They're headed home for the summer and most of them will be looking for something to do! Invite them to be part of your ministry on Sunday mornings. They often get out of school earlier than local public schools, so try and connect with them early or mid-May when they're just getting home! Present it...
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Summer Serve Printable

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Use this free Canva template (free Canva account required) to create a Summer Serve initiative for your children's ministry! Update the provided template with your ministry information, then share the flyer/form at your church, in the bulletin, online, ask if you can place one in every chair for a few weeks in May, etc. Find ways to encourage and recruit some extra help this summer to give your regular volunteers a break! (P.S. Here are 4 places to look for summer volunteers for your ministry.) Here's how to access and use the Canva template: Click Here to open the template in Canva (free Canva account required). Modify the wording and options to best fit your ministry. Save the document as a PDF. Print and distribute via your chosen method(s). Pray for God to fill your summer volunteer...
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Thirsty for God Object Lesson (Psalm 42:1-2)

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Earlier in the week, I shared a great resource for Old Testament Object Lessons from Future Flying Saucers, so today I thought I’d share one of my favorite object lessons! More than just knowing the Bible, I want kids to WANT to know the Bible. To long for time spent in the Word and to foster a desire to spend time with God. But if this is something we want to develop, we have to teach it! [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_btn title="Download the Printable Version" align="center" link="url:/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/DKM-Thirsty-for-God-Object-Lesson.pdf"][/vc_column][/vc_row] Every kid has been thirsty, and every kid drinks water throughout their week. I like to use water, straws, and Psalm 42:1-2 (NIrV) to teach kids about being thirsty for God’s Word. The best...
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Simple Scripture Habits For Families

Sometimes parents feel overwhelmed by the thought of family devotions or reading the Bible with their kids. But you can remind them that even the simplest habits can help them incorporate Scripture into their daily lives! Here are a few ideas to share with the families in your church: Decorate with scripture - Many families have more scripture in their homes than they realize, but it's also easy to make it an art project or part of a holiday celebration! With an activity like Scripture Stars or even encouraging kids to make their own Bible verse poster, families can hang up scripture around their homes where they'll see it every day. If they're decorating for a certain holiday or season, they can find Bible verses that relate to that celebration, add them to some decorations, and hang those up too! Then each time they pass the scripture...
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Summer Connection Idea: KidMin Pizza Delivery!

Summertime is a great time to connect with families in unique and fun ways! I saw Darren Goodrich, a Family Pastor at a church in Florida, share this idea in a local children's ministry Facebook group and had to learn more! The idea is simple: set up a signup genius (or other scheduling tool) to invite families to choose a day over the summer when you, the kidmin leader (or someone from your team), will deliver a pizza to the family for dinner! It can be a surprise for the kids or something they know about. Darren shares more about the idea on his blog here, and DKM subscribers can find a step-by-step plan for implementing this idea in their own church (including an email template) here! Darren also shared more about how he got the idea and what the families in his ministry had to say about it: "I really had the idea to...
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Step-by-Step Summer Family Engagement Plan

Hear an overview of how one leader used this plan for a summer pizza delivery initiative here! Download a printable/save-able version here! Step-by-Step Plan: 1. Identify Goals and Budget Goal: Enhance family engagement, reinforce community bonds, and maintain connection with the children and their families during the summer. Budget: Allocate funds for pizza, delivery materials (magnets, etc.), and other potential activities like Christmas cookies. 2. Plan and Communicate Calendar and Communication: Create a clear and detailed summer calendar highlighting all events and dates, including the special delivery days. Email and Social Media: Send out emails and post on social media well in advance. Use graphics and engaging language to get families excited. 3. Sign-Up Process Online Form: Use an online form (e.g., Google...
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Baptism Adventure: Unique Baptism Resources for Kids and Preteens

As kids are hearing the gospel and expressing their faith at camp and VBS this summer, are you thinking about their next steps? Salvation decisions are an important part of children's ministry since we get to share the gospel with kids at a time when their little hearts are most open to receiving it, but if we don't think intentionally about following up with a child after they've made a decision to give their life to Christ, we're missing a big piece of our roles as disciple-makers. One natural next step: baptism! Earlier this year, I learned about an incredible resource that Rivers Crossing Church in Ohio created to help kids and preteens explore baptism in fun and adventurous ways! A team at Rivers Crossing created 3 books that inspired special Adventure Kits: Maya and River’s Campout Adventure (a fiction book, like a modern-day...
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20+ Father’s Day Ideas for Your KidMin

Celebrate the dads and men in your church this Father's Day with one or more of these fun 20 ideas! TEACHING/STUDIES Father's Day Holiday History Lesson Super Bible Father Figures Bible Study Guide for Kids CRAFTS/PRINTABLES Father's Day Superhero Soda Can or Chocolate Bar Wrappers Father's Day Handprint Crafts Father's Day Coloring Cards Father's Day Dad Joke Coloring Cards Father's Day All In One Pack Father's Day Tie Goody Bag Craft Father's Day Printables Father's Day Tie Craft Father's Day Coupons To the Best Pop (Soda or Popcorn) Father's Day Scratch-Off Printables GAMES Does Dad Have Hair on His Chinny Chin Chin?  Double Vision: Father's Day Name That Super Dad Screen Game Father's Day Minute to Win It Games MEDIA Father's Day All in One Pack  I Love My Dad...
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Summer Devotional For KidMin Leaders Free Sample

Many of our resources and freebies are geared toward the kids and families in your ministry, but this freebie is for YOU, kidmin leader. Here’s one of the devotionals from a 10-week Summer Refresher devotional written specifically with children’s ministry leaders in mind. So block out 20 minutes on your calendar this week, grab your Bible, print the following pages, and spend time with Jesus this summer season. Download Summer Devotional Here! If you enjoyed this Summer devotional, download the full 10 weeks of devotionals for summer...
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10 Summer Scripture Activities for Kids & Families

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, especially if you can equip them with ways to dive deep into Scripture this summer! So here are 10 of our favorite summer activities and resources that help kids and families dig into Scripture over the summer: S'more Scripture - A summer resource for kids that helps them memorize Bible verses! Summer Scripture Scratch-Off - A fun and simple way to encourage a daily habit of prayer and reading scripture over the summer months while focusing on who God and Jesus are! Scripture Scoops - Scoop up the Word of God this...
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Summer Ministry Ideas

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]In April, I co-hosted a KidMin Leadership Gathering with Joy Canupp from Simply Joy and Vanessa Myers from Family Faith Builders. It was a 1-day gathering of local children's ministry leaders for training, connection, encouragement, and growth. (And it was amazing. The next KidMin Leadership Gathering will be happening in South Carolina in fall 2023!)  One of the activities from the day was a series of "Idea Dots" - large dot posters around the room where everyone could share their ideas on a specific topic or category. One of the Idea Dots was summer ministry ideas, and there were some creative options! So as we head into the summer season, here are some of the summer ministry ideas from local kidmin leaders, shared at the Georgia KidMin Leadership Gathering: Send kids "happy mail" and postcards...
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Dive into these Summer Resources!

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Dive into these summer resources to make a splash in your ministry this summer! Explore the brand-new-for-2023 summer resources below, but find ALL the summer events, curriculum, family resources, and more here.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Explore all Summer Resources here!" align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fsummer-resources-2023%2F|target:_blank"][products columns="2" orderby="rand" order="ASC" ids="104365, 104647, 93366, 104582, 104624, 104615, 85144, 85245, 104510, 103635, 103637, 103815, 93849, 102938, 98406, 88074"][vc_btn title="Explore all Summer Resources here!" align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fsummer-resources-2023%2F|target:_blank"][/vc_column][/vc_row]
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6 Ideas for Following Up After Summer Events

Summer is often a busy season in ministry with extra events, special services, and even overnight trips. So much planning and preparation go into these events that we can sometimes forget about the importance of following up AFTER the events are over! But we miss out on crucial opportunities to connect with families when we ignore the follow-up opportunities that summer events provide. So here are 6 ideas for following up after your summer event(s). Plan ahead. Make your follow-up procedure part of the planning process for the entire event. So while you're thinking about VBS decorations, volunteer appreciation, and worship playlists, think about how you can follow up with families after your event is over. When you include the follow-up in the main planning of the event itself, it helps make sure follow-up doesn't slip through the post-event...
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5 Reasons Overnight Summer Camp is Important For Your Kids Ministry

You may have a love/hate relationship with overnight summer camp. On the one hand, it's a great week to invest deeper in kids' faith, build relationships, and just have fun together. On the other hand, camp food is not always the greatest, and your back may not appreciate sleeping on a bunk bed for a week. But going to overnight summer camp, whether you attend one that runs the show for you or you create and run your own, is a critical event in a child's faith development, especially as they move into their preteen years and eventually up into the youth group. Here's why: Summer camp creates memories. The fun and shared memories created at camp help bond a group of kids and leaders like not much else can. My husband (a youth pastor) says that camps and retreats are like relationship-building on steroids. This is especially important for...
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Make a Splash with these 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. Make a splash in kids' faith this summer with these awesome resources! If you'd like a more visual version of this page, find that here.[/vc_column_text][vc_toggle title="New for 2022" custom_font_container="tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%233ac1e1" custom_use_theme_fonts="yes" use_custom_heading="true"]Summer Splash: Summer Event - Host a wet-n-wild summer event that helps your families stay cool and have fun! This event is designed as a relationship-building event, giving kids and...
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3 Ways to Make Families Hate Coming To Your Family Worship Service

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Family worship services offer a great opportunity for intergenerational worship and to teach kids what it means to be part of the body of Christ. But family services are often new experiences for families and leaders alike, and they can be intimidating for everyone involved. If you really want to make your families hate attending your service, just do these 3 things... Don't communicate with parents. Parents probably have a lot of questions about what a family service may entail. How long will it last? What if their kids are noisy? What if the kids can't sit still? Don't address any of these questions ahead of time; families will figure it out when they arrive. Work to keep kids quiet. Rather than engaging kids and inviting them into the service, do what you can to provide activities and busy bags that...
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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...
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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,...
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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...
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Father’s Day Tie Goody Bags Craft

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Kids can make these cute bags in class and fill them with snacks to share or activities to do with their dads or father figures for Father's Day! (And find more Father's Day resources here!)[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Download the instructions here!" align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F06%2FFathers-Day-Tie-Goody-Bags-Freebie.pdf|target:_blank"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_single_image image="59115" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" link="https://deeperkidmin.com/product/fathers-day-holiday-history-series/"][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_column_text]This craft is one of the activities in the Father's Day Holiday History lesson, The full lesson teaches kids about the history of...
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Family Summer Bucket List Printable

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Print and share this week's download with the families in your ministry to give them ideas for how to connect with God, their community, and each other this summer![/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Download the Family Summer Bucket List here!" align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F09%2FDKM-Summer-Family-Challenge-Bucket-List-Freebie.pdf||target:%20_blank|"][vc_single_image image="13476" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" link="https://deeperkidmin.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/DKM-Summer-Family-Challenge-Bucket-List-Freebie.pdf"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_column_text] All of the activities in this Summer Bucket List come from the Summer Family Challenge, so if you really want to equip...
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5 Ways to Stay Connected with Families This Summer

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]With church attendance spotty throughout the year anyway, summertime usually brings an even bigger drop in church attendance as families enjoy vacations, family trips, and lazy mornings after late nights. Here are 5 ways you can stay connected with the families in your ministry throughout these busy, sunny months (and 4 resources to help you do it!). Online - Use your church's website and ministry social media accounts to post highlights about what you're learning each Sunday. These posts can include family discussion questions, the Bible story, or even just engagement posts that ask families what they're up to. The beauty of technology is that you can stay connected with your families digitally even if you can't stay connected with them physically. And if you really want to connect with your families...
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Beat the Summer Boredom Bucket List

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]By July, parents are often ready for school to start again, just so their kids have something to do. Well fear not! Use this template for a July Bucket List to Beat the Boredom and help families finish off the summer with a bang![/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Customize the List For Your Community" align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F06%2FDKM-Beat-the-Summer-Boredom-July-Bucket-List.docx||target:%20_blank|"][vc_column_text]This bucket list works for my home town, but you can customize it for your own area, highlighting cheap or free activities already going on in your community. Pick a few of these free events, then encourage families to attend and meet you there. This gives you a month off from planning and organizing events but lets you still enjoy special...
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Meet Me at the Movies Printable

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Want to host an easy family event that takes little preparation and planning on your part? Head to the movies! Just pick a movie, date, time, and theater, then communicate those details with your families. (Psst - check out a review of the movie on one of these sites to make sure it's appropriate for your families!) Because it's a family event, parents attend with their children, and you don't have to worry about chaperones, drivers, or anything but getting yourself to the theater. Incredibles 2 is coming out June 15, so it's the perfect opportunity to try this out![/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Let's go to the movies!" align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F05%2FDKM-Meet-Me-at-the-Movies.pdf||target:%20_blank|"][vc_column_text]It's a win-win for everyone!...
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