Hobbies And Interests
Coloring Activities
Coloring activities are a great way to get children engaged in Bible stories. Coloring pages that depict popular Bible stories such as Noah's Ark or Jonah and the Whale can be colored while the children listen to the story being read to them. Another idea similar to this is to have the children draw their own illustration as they listen to the story. This works especially well with older kids. Other coloring activities such as connect the dots and color by number can be found to supplement biblical stories as well. Children could also work together to create murals or scenes from a Bible story on a large poster board to hang in the classroom.
Singing Activities
Singing is a popular children's church activity. Songs such as "Jesus Loves the Little Children", "The B.I.B.L.E.," and "This Little Light of Mine" have hand motions that go along with the song. These songs have a message that teaches children about Jesus and how they should live their lives. Songs that quote scripture and help teach children Bible verses are good, too. "I've Got Joy in my Heart" and "Seek Ye First" teach passages from the Bible to children. Quieter songs such as "I Love You, Lord" can help transition children from playing to the lesson.
Crafts
Crafts offer a way to keep kids busy and to give them some hands-on learning. Beaded cross necklaces are a craft to make around Easter time. Angel ornaments can be made using a folded doily for the body and construction paper for the arms and head. Allow the kids to color a face and hair. Cut-out construction paper fishes with Bible verses or different Bible trivia questions on the can be made by the children one week, and used for weeks after that. Clip a paper clip to the fishes, and create a rod with a stick and some string, tying a magnet to the end to pick up the fish. The kids can "catch" a fish and recite the verse or ask the group the trivia question. "Be Thankful Flowers" is a craft that will remind kids to give thanks for their blessings. Have the children make construction paper flowers and write one thing they are thankful for on each petal.
Imaginative Activities
Activities that allow kids to be creative and use their imagination work really well in Sunday School. Have the kids make puppets and put on a puppet show about their favorite Bible story. Dress-up games are fun for younger kids, and they can pretend to be favorite biblical characters. Short skits adapted from Bible stories or that send a message about religion are good with older kids. Games such as charades and Pictionary can be adapted to be religiously themed, for example, kids can draw famous Bible stories or act out a character from the Bible for others to guess.
Storytelling
Children of all ages love to be read to. Stories from the Bible, kids devotionals and stories that spread a positive message can be used to teach children how God would have them behave. Stories with morals can be read to kids, and at the end they must tell the teacher what the moral is. At the end of any story, the teacher can ask questions and give out candy for correct answers.