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Try these 12 budget-friendly children’s ministry events that work great for small churches and are easy to plan with your team numbers.
Perfect for encouraging your small church families. They’re also great for inviting friends and utilizing them as outreach events. Each idea is:
- Super Fun
- Easy Prep
- Budget Friendly
- Family Participation
- Single Day Events
Grab a pen, get your calendars out, and get ready to plan a year full of FUN.
>> Coming Soon: Watch the website for more on each of these children’s ministry events <<
Looking for a step-by-step to starting or restarting your children’s ministry?
Check out the Children’s Ministry Bundle For Small Churches!
January: Everyone’s Birthday Party
What better time to celebrate everyone’s birthday than at the start of the year!? Throw a typical kid’s birthday party where everyone is the guest of honor.
Decorations, fun and interactive games, and party favor bags add to the festivities.
For refreshments, serve cake in some form, of course. Remember, cupcakes are always a kid-friendly option. Please make sure to offer an alternative if you have any children attending with gluten or other food allergies. Singing Happy Birthday is a must as well.
Close out your party with a short devotional and invitation to your church and any specific children’s ministries. Send them off with a small party favor bag.
Read more about the Biggest Birthday Party For Children’s Ministry.
February: It’s A Snow Day
This is a fun theme, even if you don’t live in a snowy climate. Creative elements help to engage with kids, and you’ll have them believing a blizzard of fun is on the way.
Decorations are easy and affordable. Hang inexpensive snowflakes or make your own. Create the ‘illusion’ of snow mounds with drop cloths or tablecloths.
Games from building snowmen to having a snowball fight capture both the energy and imagination of children.
How happy would a child be to take home their own ‘Snowstorm in a Bottle’ or another snowman-related craft project? Crafts should be easy to assemble with materials that are affordable.
Don’t forget to incorporate the theme into your refreshments. A fun take-home party favor with a snowman face would top off the day.
A snowy theme should include a warm-your-heart devotional. Show them God’s warm love in all that you do.
March: Sunshine & Springtime
This children’s ministry event is about all things spring. From flowers to kites, Easter to garden themes, fishing or baseball … the ideas are endless.
Your decorations are determined by your inspiration. Color and fun need to lead the way. If you have a specific theme, then do it big. Themes should also be carried over to your choice of refreshments and devotionals.
Games and activities are determined by your theme direction. Team games can inspire friendship when working together.
Carnival-style games can give the opportunity for older volunteers to interact with the children.
Craft possibilities are endless with both flower and kite ideas.
April: Rubber Duck Carnival
This fun kidmin event is full of laughter and games based around a silly toy: the rubber duck.
The basic elements of this event are your game booths (staffed with volunteers), your prizes (based on church allocation), and your engagement with the kids. Engagement also includes refreshments, take-home gifts, and your devotional time.
This theme has a ton of ways to use the rubber duck shape throughout the event. Get creative, and don’t be afraid to be ‘punny’ –– there, I said it.
Everyone will leave with a smile on their face and their own rubber duck in some form or another.
Read more about the Rubber Duck Carnival For Kids!
May: Backwards Party
Want to shake things up a little? Host a ‘Backwards Party.’ It’s fun thinking of ways to create some backwards ‘May’-hem at your party.
Process through the elements of a party. Plan out elements you want at your event and just flip the order. Now you have a Backwards Party.
Encourage everyone –– kids and volunteers –– to participate in the theme right down to the outfits they wear. This part of your event provides laughter for all, a great photo opportunity, and a chance to hand out some prizes.
The theme continues with table settings, menu, and when you serve the food.
Add in a fun mixer and a great devotional, and you have all you need for an unforgettable night of ‘Backwards Mayhem.’
June: Beach Party
There is always a reason to celebrate the end of another school year. Have a party to start off the summer season of fun. This is also a great chance to remind kids of the ministries and events you have all through the summer months, and they are welcome to join in.
With a beach-themed backdrop, it’s easy to find affordable (and reusable) decorations.
This party could be done outside if you have good lawn space and provide a shade tent for refreshment time.
Use beach balls whenever possible.
BBQ-style refreshments are easy to prepare and a great favorite of kids.
Top the night off with a devotional and a slice of watermelon; you’ll be sure to send them home happy.
Water Games For Kids are always fun to do with kids in the summer months.
Read more about How To Host A School’s Out Celebration!
July: Bike Parade
Everyone loves a parade, especially kids. Who wouldn’t love a parade where they were the feature element?
This simple, fun summer children’s ministry event connects you with the kids in your community.
You can engage older people in your congregation by asking them to be the judges at the review stand. Parents will have fun watching their children go through the parade route. The route should be simple to follow, safe, and in an area (even just a parking lot) where parents and friends can watch and cheer.
Feel free to add bonus items to your kidmin event, like face painting, photo booths, and refreshments. All are opportunities to build connections with the families in attendance.
Who knows? This could become an annual favorite with everyone in your community.
August: Back To School Bash
We celebrated when school came to an end, and now we’re celebrating one more blast of summer break fun.
Use school-related themes for games and decorations.
This is also a great opportunity for your church to give away school supplies to the children in your area. It could be a fun way to tie the two events together.
Paper lunch sacks to use for party favors are a nice touch.
Simple refreshments that bring back school memories are fun to do.
Encourage your hospitality volunteers to wear ‘lunch lady’ hair nets –– the kids will love it.
Wrapping up the day with prayer and blessing over the upcoming school year is a wonderful way to connect with the kids and their families.
Looking for a step-by-step to starting or restarting your children’s ministry?
Check out the Children’s Ministry Bundle For Small Churches!
September: Ice Cream Social
An ice cream social is a perfect way to say goodbye to summer. A theme of an old-fashioned soda shop could be a fun way to find inspiration for your decorations and ice cream delights.
A few ice cream-themed games can add fun, and a photo booth can create memories. Be sure to check for allergies and provide alternative refreshments for those with dairy, gluten, or nut issues.
A time of devotions to wrap up the day and an invitation to your children’s ministries will be the cherry on top of a fun children’s ministry event.
October: Pumpkin Party
This party is a fun way to celebrate all things pumpkin. From refreshments to crafts to decorations & games, your guests will have a pumpkin-filled day.
If your church has the budget, give each guest a real pumpkin to take home. Affordable alternatives could be pumpkin candy or pumpkin-shaped cookies.
Display traditional fall decor everywhere. Scarecrows, pumpkins (real or paper), leaves & mums add a touch of fall to your space. Think harvest and home.
Pumpkin-themed games, followed by a craft activity, will make your guests excited to participate. Pumpkin foods & other fall goodies, like apple pie, are good for your refreshment table.
A day for making memories and friends as kids play together, create together, and fellowship around the tables. Help them ‘fall’ in love with Jesus as you share His love.
Read more about How To Host A Kids Pumpkin Party.
November: The Great Turkey Bowl Competition
This event combines silly competitions while emphasizing the true meaning of Thanksgiving.
The children compete on teams in fun challenges and relays. Team play is a great time for team building and making friends.
Games have elements that relate to the first Thanksgiving –– the focus of the event’s devotional time.
A time of refreshments and gathering around the table leads the way into focusing on what Thanksgiving is all about. This kidmin event gives an opportunity to talk about why it’s important to live thankful lives.
While The Great Turkey Bowl Competition is designed specifically for children’s ministry, the November Gratitude Challenge is something your entire church can participate in.
The Great Turkey Bowl Competition can give you great ideas for your event.
December: Teddy Bears
Who wouldn’t want to be invited to a party where they can bring a guest –– a teddy bear guest? This event is geared toward a younger group of children. Big or small, all teddy bears are welcome.
Christmas decorations and holiday decor are perfect for this party. Set up a photo area where parents can take pics of their children with their teddies.
Highlights of this party include a story time with the true meaning of Christmas focus while staying with the ‘bear’ theme.
A fun yet easy Christmas craft for guests to take home and refreshments will top off your children’s ministry event.
Party favors in small Christmas gift bags are a great way to add an invitation to your Christmas services in your small church.
Look at idea #3 in 10 Small Church Holiday Outreach Ideas for ideas to help you plan a Teddy Bear Christmas Tea for kids.
12 Events For Children’s Ministry
These quick and easy theme ideas take the stress out of your yearly calendar. Imagine all the possibilities God can have for your community.
Looking for a step-by-step to starting or restarting your children’s ministry?
Check out the Children’s Ministry Bundle For Small Churches!
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