Many churches want to be welcoming to children or others who struggle to sit still in worship, so they create spaces with a range of quiet activities that can be used in worship to help children or others be active but still be a part of worship.
Recently I was having a conversation with a lady about the space she was creating at the front of their worship space, for children to use during worship. She had set up small tables with colouring pages, toys and other quiet activities that children could engage in during worship. This resource page includes some of the ideas we talked about and some of the ideas/resources I suggested, along with other ideas and resources.
Many of these ideas could be used by anyone of any age. There are also many adults who like to be doing something with their hands as they listen. When we first introduced the Creation Station in our worship space we intentionally invited anyone to come and use the space. We had a standard sized table that all ages could and did use. People of any age could come and sit at the table or fill a tub with resources and take it back to their seat in the pews. I also know of a lady who paints beautiful scriptured inspired pictures and she does this in worship at her church. Her young grandchildren are now painting alongside her in church.
Why value children in worship?
Everyone must come — men, women, children, and even the foreigners who live in your towns. And each new generation will listen and learn to worship the LORD their God with fear and trembling and to do exactly what is said in God’s Law. Deuteronomy 31:12 (CEV)
Worship is one of the basic ways people learn what it means to be Christian. Children learn worship by worshipping with the congregation Sunday after Sunday. When children are involved in worship, they are learning that they are valued and they belong.
They build a fund of memorable, shared experiences of Christian community against which they may draw when they are older. They hear stories from the Bible read and interpreted, and begin to see Christian worship as one place where God may speak to them.
They discover that they are valued as persons by God and by the people of God at Church. Include them in your conversations before and after worship to let them know they belong.
Adults who bring children to worship (parents, grandparents or others) can set an example of worship and encourage children to follow their example. They can direct children’s attention to significant aspects of worship and what is happening or will happen next. Quietly explain to them what is happening in the service and encourage their involvement. You might whisper instructions to them – “Now is the time we tell God about stuff we are sorry about”. All members of the Congregation have a role in raising children as worshipping members of the body of Christ. Adults and youth are role models. They demonstrate by their own behaviour how they want children to behave in worship.
Why have creative spaces in worship?
Having spaces in worship for children or others to create or play enables them to process what they are hearing and still be part of the worship. They can move their hands and their bodies but still be listening and participating.
On one Pentecost Sunday we were making pictures with dry pasta as one of the readings was the valley of the dry bones from Ezekial. If you looked at or heard the children it may not have looked like they were listening. However, one boy in particular was repeating or questioning some of what the preacher was saying, as he was working on his dry pasta picture. Clearly they were listening.
Where to have children’s spaces in worship?
Our Creation Station started at the front of our worship space and we had some quiet toys down the back for toddlers. Now it’s all down the back of our worship space. Recently I’ve visited other churches that have tables or activities in various spots including the front (see pictures above) or back of the worship space, or in one case both. Some toys were down the back and the young child in church that day chose toys from the bag to bring to the front table with his family. In another church I noticed that some primary school aged children came and took some colouring pages from the front tables to the pews where they were sitting with parents or grandparents.
At the front means that it’s easier for children to see what is happening and to be part of worship but parents may feel more conscious when their children make noise and may be more comfortable sitting at the back. Having these spaces, wherever they are situated within the worship space still gives a message that children and families are welcome.
What to include in creative spaces in worship?
These spaces for children or others in worship can also be called Pray-Grounds or praygrounds. A faith-based play on the word “playgrounds”. Here are a couple of articles and recorded webinars that explain Pray-Grounds and what you might include:
- What is a Pray-Ground article
- What is a Pray Ground page
- Flame Creative Pray-Ground Box for Church
- Kids in Worship – The Prayground
- Praygrounds and Worship Activities for Children webinar
Here are some ideas of what you can include in your worship space for children or active worship involvement:
- Activity or worship bags that children use in the pews wherever they are sitting.
- Pew boxes or worship boxes (similar to bags but could be placed under pews)
- Story bags for kids from Flame Creative Kids
- Playdough with Biblical Playdough Mats from Flame Creative Kids or playdough stamps from Little Paper Hearts
- drawing and colouring materials
- clipboards to lean on, if taking to a pew or sitting on the floor
- collage materials which might include coloured paper, cotton wool, felt, feathers
- stickers
- pipe cleaners
- child scissors, glue, sticky tape
- sensory toys
- quiet toys such as contruction materials, cars, car mats, small dolls
- books
- puzzles
- cushions
- tables and chairs (child and/or adult size)
Children or others can then choose what materials they want to use. If you have a specific idea that fits with the theme or message for the day then you can offer this as a suggestion.
Other ways to engage children and all ages in worship?
Living Stories Sermons
Living Stories Sermons is in the style of Godly Play but wondering questions are used with the whole congregation, in place of the traditional sermon. Living Stories uses the actual text from the gospels. You can request free access to the scripts for each week.
Worship Notes Pages
Worship Notes are pages that can be printed for children to use in any worship service.
Here’s a couple of links to find out more or see examples:
- My Worship Notes – I developed these after viewing some examples
- Worship Notes for Kids – from the Lutheran tradition but have good ideas of what you might include
Children in Worship Pew Cards
Cards which support children in worship. They could be cards for parents, caregivers or other adults on how to help children engage in worship. Or they might be cards for children to use to help them engage in worship.
- Pew Cards: 4 Approaches to Communicating “Children Welcome” – this article from Building Faith includes ideas for Pew Cards for Children, ideas for Pew Cards for Parents & Caregivers as well as notes to members of the congregation.
- Children in Worship Pew Card – This downloadable ready to print pew card from Center for Faith and Children reminds adults of the vital role children play in your church community
- The Child in the Pew – another example of what you can include in a pew card
Helpful Books & Websites
- Flame Creative Kids: Creative ideas for worship, children’s ministry or at home
- Mustard Seeds: Lectionary based ideas for worship leaders
- Parenting in the Pew: “Children are at church for the same reason as their parents: for the privilege of worshiping God. … Parenting in the Pew is essential reading for parents and worship leaders who want to help children make joyful noises unto the Lord.”
- The Reflectionary: Lectionary Resources for Engaging Worship
- Worshiping with Children: Including children in the congregation’s worship, using the Revised Common Lectionary
How do you help children participate in your worship services?
Contact me if you’d like to chat about how you can make your worship and worship space more welcoming for children.