Books with activities, games and talks for use in Children's Ministry

This page has resources that help people running a Children's Ministry make it fun, creative and meaningful with activities, games and talks that you can use in your ministry time with children. A huge thank you to Marnie Agnew from KUCA News for supplying these excellent reviews.

Here is a list of the books reviewed on this page.

A Little Taste of God's Love: Bible Story Recipes and Activities
By Carol Molski
Concordia Publishing House (USA) © 2001
ISBN: 0-570-05281-5 Paperback
Available from Unichurch Books
Reproducible Teaching Resource
Age: Grades Pre-K-2 (or older)
Contains 15 Old Testament stories and 13 New Testament stories, each containing a Stirring Story, Clever Craft and a Ravishing Recipe for a theme-related snack. Around half of the crafts are in fact science activities.

Amazing Science Devotions for children's ministry
From Group © 1999
ISBN:0-7644-2105-0
Available from MediaCom: $25.45

For those of you who like to illustrate the children's talk or Bible message for the day with a practical demo, this is the book for you. From very simple ideas (water sliding down a piece of string) to more spectacular chemical reactions (e.g. growing crystals on rocks and charcoal), there's a science demo for just about every quote, even from difficult books, from Genesis to the Epistles. Some of them stretch the mind to make the connection, but a handy little resource of you have a physics-oriented group of kids. There's a Scripture Index and a subject theme) index to help find what you want.

As One Voice for Kids
Openbook Publishers © 2002
Accompaniment Edition ISBN: 1-876357-77-0 spiral bound
Melody/Word Edition ISBN: 1-876357-71-1 paperback
Available from Unichurch Books

This contemporary collection of songs and hymns, specially selected for young people aged between 5 and 12, uses musical styles and rhythms that kids love. It will encourage active participation in the life of the worshipping community, whether at school, in church, at kids' club or during a retreat or camp - anywhere and any time that children are involved in worship.

Children love variety. As One Voice - For Kids presents a choice of a wide range of musical styles, including pop, rock, rap and jazz, together with action songs, rounds, choral pieces and modern songs suitable for all age groups.

The Best of Children's Ministry Magazine Games
By Group
ISBN 978-0-7644-3438-9
Published by Group Publishing
Available from MediaCom.
Product code GP438. $23.95

Why this resource matters If only every game you played with kids in your ministry were a "that was fun!" winner that kids couldn't wait to play again. Now you can be certain of game success with these 100+ games that have appeared in Children's Ministry magazine. These are the best of the best-tried, tested, and stamped with the Children's Ministry magazine seal of approval. Audience: Children's Pastors, Sunday school teachers, midweek game leaders What this resource offers Readers who use this collection of games will enjoy...
Quality-only the best games submitted to Children's Ministry magazine have been included in this collection of kid-tested games. Fun-these games have already gotten a 'thumbs up' from kids in churches like yours. Confidence-it's always a good idea to have some 'no-fail games up your sleeve in case a lesson is short or a sermon goes long...and now you'll have more than 100 of them!

The Best of Children's Ministry Magazine Crafts
By Group
ISBN 978-0-7644-3439-6
Published by Group Publishing
Available from MediaCom Product code GP439 $23.95

Why this resource matters If only you knew that every craft you planned for your children's ministry would be a winner...instead of a glue and glitter fiasco. Now you can be certain of success with these 100+ crafts that have appeared in Children's Ministry magazine. These are the best of the best-tried, tested, and stamped with the Children's Ministry magazine seal of approval. Audience: Children's Pastors, Sunday school teachers, midweek game leaders What this resource offers Readers who use this collection of crafts will enjoy...
Confidence-these are the best crafts submitted to Children's Ministry magazine-the most-read magazine for children's workers. Ease-crafts were submitted by children's workers like you, and have been tested with real kids in real churches. The directions are tested and clear. Fun-these crafts are guaranteed kid-pleasers. Even better: they're teacher pleasers!

The Best of Children's Ministry Magazine Devotions
By Group
ISBN 978-0-7644-3440-2
Published by Group Publishing
Available from MediaCom. Product code GP440 $23.95

Why this resource matters You pour out so much of yourself into children's ministry-so it just makes sense that you need to be re-fueled now and then, too. And the 100+ devotions you'll find in this book will revitalize and rejuvenate you and your team. These are the best of the best devotions that have appeared in Children's Ministry magazine. They're tried, tested, and stamped with the Children's Ministry magazine seal of approval! Audience: Children's Pastors, Sunday school teachers, midweek game leaders What this resource offers Readers who use this collection of devotions will enjoy...

Inspiration-devotions are designed to help children's ministry workers be encouraged in their ministries...and to see the eternal value in their work. Appreciation-devotions help readers-and their teams-feel affirmed. Joy-devotions focus readers on the positives of ministry...and the fun and rewards of doing ministry with children.

Children's Activities for the Christian Year
By Delia Halverson
Publisher: Abingdon Press © 2004
ISBN: 0-687-35233-9

Available from MediaCom and also through Unichurch Books

Includes reproducible handouts and an index of activities suitable for younger children. This volume incorporates and consolidates ideas from a number of Delia Halverson's previous books, so it is a good one to invest in if you haven't any of her previous offerings.

It is not a book of session plans - it's a book that includes information about:
•   the seasons of the Christian year, their origin and meaning
•   the symbols and colours of each season and other relevant background information
•   a range of suggestions for learning activities
•   worship and song suggestions (although many of the songs may not be familiar to or accessible by Australians).

A book for anyone looking for something substantial for their children's program and are not afraid to put some time into their preparation. Suitable for a program for primary school-aged children, with options suitable for younger children as well.

*Fabulous Crafts for children's ministry
CEP Christian Education Publications © 2004 ISBN: 1 876960 83 3
Available from Unichurch Books: $16.95

This book contains a diverse collection of over 90 craft activities, with tips for ways to get more out of the crafts than just a "craft" experience.
While there are crafts for all ages from infants to the whole congregation and a section on Quick Crafts, on the whole the crafts in this book require some preparation time, a reasonable amount of time to complete and a reasonable degree of manipulative ability, and more sophisticated materials than the Spur-of-the-moment Crafts. Sections include: Bible Themes, Gifts, Messy Crafts, More challenging ideas, cooking, musical instruments. Craft themes and skills include stained glass windows, Olympic themed ideas (useful in 2008), decoupage, quilling, fabric printing, candle making, modelling and clay, tie-dying, kites, some projects involving sewing, and much more.

A useful source of ideas, especially if you want craft ideas that take some time and effort and look good when finished, and you are prepared to invest in materials that may cost a little more than recyclables.

* Fantastic games for children's ministry
CEP © 2004 ISBN: 1 876960 81 7
Available from Unichurch Books: $16.95

Over 200 games, each one linked to a Bible story or biblical theme. Content includes getting-to-know-you games and five-minute-starters, team builders, quiet fun and Bible games, energy-burning and fresh-air games, plus lots of handy hints, a games index and Bible links index. A very useful book for anyone wanting to include an active component in their children's programs.

* GREAT IDEAS for children's ministry
CEP © 2005 ISBN: 1 920935 81 9
Available from Unichurch Books: $27.95

Craft, Dance, Music, Drama, Cooking, Prayer - visual aids, puppets, modelling, memory verse ideas, ideas for prayer, photocopiable resources - a most useful book for those working with children aged 5-12. Includes a CD of 19 songs to use with the themes in the book

*Great Ideas, Fantastic games and FABULOUS CRAFTS form part of CEP's kids@church curriculum. They include material from previously published CEP curricula.
If you haven't previously used CEP's curriculum materials this is a great way to get the practical and creative stuff we all continually can't get enough of! Having it packaged in compilations instead of having to search through a complete curriculum book provides a very convenient way to access them.

Hard questions about God
A program for Primary-aged kids asking questions at church, club or school.
From CEP with bonus CD Rom ISBN: 1921137487
Available from Unichurch Books: $25.00

The humongous Book of Children's Messages
Group Publishing © 2004
ISBN: 0-7644-2647-8
Available from MediaCom

If your church is still doing children's talks before they go out to Sunday School activities, this is one of the better collections of children's messages I've seen. The messages are kept short and simple, but are interactive, so the children are not mere spectators but actively participate in exploring the message.

Contains messages relating to
•   52 Old Testament stories
•   32 New Testament stories
•   69 topical themes
•   18 holiday or seasonal topics (except we can disregard the Groundhog Day message!).

Each message has a designated topic and Scripture reading, and a list of any supplies you'll need in the telling of the story. Each message ends with a prayer. Also suitable for quick devotions or short object talks at Kids' Club. Indexes list sessions by topic and by Bible reference.

Humongous Book of Games for Children's Ministry
ISBN 0-7644-2355-0
Published by Group Publishing
Available from MediaCom
Product code GP355 $32.95

Have big-time fun making key Bible points! In this whopping collection, you'll find just the right game for every lesson or ministry need. 220 games to super-size the Fun in Your Ministry! Always have a great big-fun game at your fingertips for any area of children's ministry, daycare or after-school programming! From creative children's workers comes this tried-and-true colossal collection! Why just tell kids about David and Goliath and have them color a handout when you could play... Human Slingshot where kids link arms to make "slings" and launch paper "rocks" at a nine-foot high target (and then have a great discussion about the story)? Inclusive games -- no one is left out, there are no losers, all players win -- learning friendship, teamwork, and the Bible point. Games are arranged by three age groups: preschool, lower elementary, and upper elementary. Preschool games for Esther are "Who Will Lead?" and "The King's Sceptor", and for the topic, Following Jesus are "Herding the Sheep", "Come Along" and "Stop, Drop, and Follow". Lower elementary groups can play "Unseen Presence" or "The River Bend" for the topic, Faith, or they might play "Worry Whirl" for the topic, School. Upper elementary ages might play "Outsmart the Crushers" for the topic, Joy, and "True-False Tag" to reinforce a Truthfulness lesson. Preparation is simple, with few, easy-to-find game props (Bible, crayons, paper plates or nothing at all). Imagination is the primary equipment! Game plan includes follow-up discussion, questions for thought, or suggestion for Bible reading. Every game features all-out wild fun, but also makes a key Bible point. Energy level index and Scripture index for all games!

A Lectionary Story Bible - A Lectionary for each Sunday
By Ralph Milton
ISBN 978-1-551455-47-1
Published by Wood Lake Books
Available from MediaCom
Product code WL547 $42.00

Once again, author Ralph Milton brings his enormous talent as storyteller to the task of retelling biblical stories. Based on the bestselling Family Story Bible, the Lectionary Story Bible includes many new and wonderfully engaging stories from both the Hebrew and New Testament scriptures. At least one, but usually two stories from the lections are included for each Sunday of the church year making the Lectionary Story Bible a complete lectionary resource for Christian educators, camp leaders, worship leaders, and families who want to share their faith at home. The book also includes a scripture index of the stories included in the collection, for non-lectionary settings and uses. Adept at handling even difficult material, Ralph Milton writes stories that are positive and life-affirming, use inclusive language, and portray a God of love to children and adults alike. Margaret Kyle has created many new illustrations brimming with the energy, curiosity, and joy that so characterizes her work. Lectionary Story Bible Year A is the first in a series that will cover all three years of the lectionary. The complete set will be an indispensable resource for anyone who wants to share faith stories with children and make the Bible relevant to young people today. Lectionary Story Bible (Year A) includes at least one, but usually two stories from the lections for each Sunday of the church year making the it a complete lectionary resource for Christian educators, camp leaders, worship leaders, and families who want to share their faith at home.

Look What I Made! Bible Crafts from A to Z
By Anita Reith Stohs
Concordia Publishing House (USA) © 1998
ISBN: 0-570-04970-9 Paperback
Available from Unichurch Books
Reproducible Teaching Resource
Age: Grades Pre-K - 6

Models & figures, paper crafts, puppets, jewellery, ornaments, collage, mobiles, card games, shakers, clay, story in a bottle, pop-ups, sun-catchers and mor.Each activity with options and variations, plus lesson connections to relevant Bible stories. A very handy resource

More Christian Parables from Science
Available from MediaCom.
Product code DHVID3 $24.95

This video contains 13 video clips including God's Call, Eternal Life, Light of World, Directions, God is Everywhere, God's Guidance, Stability, Prodigal Son, Miracles, Christ the Rock, God's Help in Troubled Times.

More than a Movie
20 Fun Specials For Your Children's Ministry
ISBN 0-7644-2838-1
Published by Group Publishing
Available from MediaCom.
Product code GP838 $34.45

Your next movie night will be easy and redeeming with this extraordinary resource! More Than a Movie consists of 20 themed programs linked to mainstream movies (almost all are G-rated) like "Finding Nemo," "A Bug's Life," "Chicken Run," and "Toy Story." Children watch the movie and then learn about key points, decisions, or turning points in the movie and how they relate to their relationship with God. Each program lasts around two hours and includes an introduction, intermission activity, and a brief closing. Upbeat, fun, and easy--great for family nights, church events, summer camps or children's ministry activities. Your group will grow in their faith as they learn how to discern truth in the movies! Movies not included.

Movie Clips for Kids the Sequel - 100 New Faith-Building Devotions
ISBN 0-7644-2692-3
Published by Group Publishing

Available from MediaCom.
Product code GP692 $25.45

Add G- and PG-rated clips from your kids' favorite movies to your Sunday school lessons! These video clips are sure to make your Bible lessons captivating and creative--on the very first "take"! You'll reinforce Bible points as you get kids laughing, talking, thinking and into God's Word. Choose from 100 clips that will keep kids tuned into your devotion time--or anywhere you need memorable ideas in your children's ministry! Each clip suggestion comes with quick debriefing questions and activity ideas that help kids understand biblical truth in a fun and meaningful way. You provide the videos!

NO PROPS: Great Games with No Equipment

By Mark Collard
Published 2005 by Project Adventure Inc (USA)

A collection of high energy, interactive, full-on fun activities, ideal for developing self-esteem and team skills, using no equipment at all. Suitable for all ages, can be easily adapted for people of all abilities, and are totally fun. Mark shares many pearls of wisdom regarding effective leadership skills and how to get the most out of your program.

Peanut Butter, Paper & Paste: Classroom Crafts and Recipes for the Seasons of the Church Year
By Brenda Gilliam
Concordia Publishing House (USA) © 2001 Creative Communications for the Parish, Fenton Missouri
ISBN: 0-570-05301-3 Paperback
Available from Unichurch Books
Reproducible Teaching Resource
Age: Grades K-4 (but many are suitable for older children too)

Includes a range of projects for each of the liturgical seasons of the year: Advent & Christmas, Epiphany through Baptism to the Transfiguration, Lent & Easter (including Good Shepherd Sunday and Ascension) ) Pentecost through to All Saints' Day (including Fruits of the Spirit). Many are edible projects (eg. an edible village!), but also included are crafts, banners, puzzles, mobiles and games.

REALLY Big Book of COOL CRAFTS FOR KIDS
More than 200 Craft Projects for Ages 4 to 12
Publisher: Gospel Light © 2005
ISBN: 0-8307-3847-9
Available from Koorong
Reproducible pages; includes CD-Rom containing the complete contents of the book.

Arranged in themes, each craft comes with
•   age-level and time guides
•   complete instructions and how-to illustrations
•   Bible story or Bible connection
•   ideas for conversations with the children about the theme or Bible story.
A number of the crafts are ones you will have come across before, but there are enough good ideas to find plenty of new things to try; including:
•   simple costumes and props
•   games and toys to make
•   gifts for many occasions
•   a section on puppets

Crafts range from simple ideas for pre-schoolers to more difficult, challenging and time-consuming projects for older children, with an emphasis on inexpensive or recyclable materials.

Spur-of-the-Moment CRAFTS
By Mary J Davis
Bible Fun Stuff Series
NeXGen/ Cook Communications Ministries © 1996 ISBN: 07814-4121-8
Available from Koorong: $14.95
For Kids Aged 6-12.

This book is the antithesis to CEP's Fabulous Crafts as it contains quick 'n' easy craft ideas which require little or no preparation, using cheap and easy-to-find or recyclable materials as much as possible There are over 200 crafts which would be particularly useful especially for anyone faced with a last minute emergency - providing you have a well-stocked supply of craft materials, recyclables, glue and equipment.
Each section lists the sorts of materials you'll need to have on hand, and each page has room for your own notes, for instance on which lessons you used each craft with. Crafts include paper crafts of various sorts, crafts made from pop sticks, foam cups, magazine pages, paper bags, paper plates, chenille sticks, and some miscellaneous ideas at the end.

Throw & Tell Balls
$14.95 each from MediaCom

For those of you who LOVED the first two, here are three new balls:
Life Application: use in conjunction with your memory verse for the day's lesson
Attention Grabber: discussion starters
Prayer Ball: ideas for prayer points
52 ideas on each of the balls: Use them as ice-breakers, discussion starters, a source of ideas, ways of extending and challenging your Sunday School and Youth group kids. Some questions are suitable for Primary kids, others more for youth - it depends on the group and where they're at.

Throw and Tell - Ice Breakers
Try as an ice-breaker, game, message point, friend
By Group Publishing
ISBN 646847-11140-2
Published by Group Publishing
Available from MediaCom.
Product code GP140 $14.95

Get youth discussing and sharing-instantly! Each Throw & Tell ball includes 52 questions...some serious, some wacky, some funny, some deep, some intimate-all intriguing. Simply inflate a sturdy ball and let teenagers toss the ball around and answer whatever question lands under their left thumb. It's quick, it's easy, it's fun...and it involves everyone all of the time. Get teens talking, sharing, bonding, laughing, and exploring-as you prepare to launch a lesson. Balls are crafted of extra-thick plastic, 3-colour, and designed for years of use. Works well with any teenager at any spiritual level-and in any youth group setting...small groups, large groups, retreats, events, and more.

Throw & Tell: Story Tellers
Try as an ice-breaker, game, message point, friend
By Group Publishing
ISBN 646847-11138-9
Published by Group Publishing
Available from MediaCom.
Product code GP138 $14.95

Get youth discussing and sharing-instantly! Each Throw & Tell ball includes 52 questions...some serious, some wacky, some funny, some deep, some intimate-all intriguing. Simply inflate a sturdy ball and let teenagers toss the ball around and answer whatever question lands under their left thumb. It's quick, it's easy, it's fun...and it involves everyone all of the time. Get teens talking, sharing, bonding, laughing, and exploring-as you prepare to launch a lesson. Surprising questions guide teenagers in telling brief, personal stories-about the past, present, future...or creative/hypothetical situations-in natural, compelling ways. Balls are crafted of extra-thick plastic, 3-colour, and designed for years of use. Works well with any teenager at any spiritual level-and in any youth group setting...small groups, large groups, retreats, events, and more.