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If you’ve ever volunteered with the kids during Sunday service, you know they’re ready to move, learn, and play the moment they walk through the door. Their joy and energy are contagious! But finding the right games for children’s church can be a challenge. How can you capture their excitement and direct it toward meaningful learning?
In this blog, you’ll find 15 simple, engaging, and fun church games for kids. We’ve grouped them into three categories, making it easy to find the perfect fit for your ministry.
First, we’ll dive into active games perfect for high-energy kids who love to move. They’re designed to help release energy while teaching important lessons from the Bible. Then, we’ll explore indoor activities for small spaces or a rainy day inside to ensure the fun continues even when you’re limited to a cozy classroom. Finally, we’ll cover small group games ideal for little ones to play at church, encouraging connection and teamwork with a focus on faith.
No matter the setting or age group, these 15 children’s church games and activities will keep kids engaged and excited to learn more about Jesus!
Sitting still during a Sunday service can be a big ask for any kid, especially after a long week of school. Rather than try to keep them quiet, harness that high energy! Here are some active games for children’s church that still reinforce biblical truth.
Bible Relay Race
Ready, set, race! In this Bible relay race, select a Bible verse and break it into parts on multiple note cards, then divide the children into two or more teams. When you say “go,” one child from each team races to grab a card and returns to their team to assemble the verse in the correct order. Whoever finishes first wins!
Red Light, Green Light with a Twist
Instead of saying “red” and “green,” use “stop to pray” and “go spread love!” The leader starts at one end of the play area and the other children start at the other. Have your leader call out each command for the kids to follow as they try to make it to the leader’s side. If they move during a “stop to pray” command, they have to go back to the starting line.
Parachute Praise
Sometimes it’s the simple kid’s church games that bring the most fun. For this game, all you need is a large parachute and some music. Have the children gather around the parachute spaced equally apart and hold on to a handle. Explain when they’ll lift and lower the parachute or call out instructions as you go.
Jump for Joy
Get the kids engaged and test their listening skills with some joyful movement. Pick a Bible story and select words and phrases the kids will “jump for joy” at. For example, every time they hear “Jesus,” “joy,” or “love,” have the kids jump in place, spin, clap, or hop. Assign an action to each word, encouraging them to listen carefully!
David & Goliath Toss
Children will have fun stepping into the sandals of young David as they take aim to defeat Goliath. Set up a large cardboard cutout of the giant at one end of the play space. Give one child at a time a soft ball (foam or plush) to represent the stone in David’s slingshot. Then, have them take turns tossing “stones” to knock down Goliath and celebrate David’s victory.
Rainy days or limited space shouldn’t slow down the fun! The following indoor church games are designed to keep kids engaged in tight quarters—learning, laughing, and growing in faith.
Memory Verse Bingo
Kids love to play bingo, and we know they’ll enjoy this Bible-themed version of the game. Instead of numbers, fill your bingo cards with Bible chapters and verses. As you recite each verse, children place a marker on their bingo cards to match. First to get a full row, column, or diagonal and shout “Amen!” wins the game.
Bible Charades
Encourage creativity and teamwork with a few rounds of Bible Charades! Before the game starts, write down well-known Bible stories and characters on slips of paper, then place them in a bowl or hat.
Divide the children into two teams or have them take turns one at a time drawing one of the slips of paper and acting out their part while the others guess. Remember to keep it simple for younger children or give hints if needed!
Silent Simon Says
Take Simon Says to the next level with silent mode. The leader (Simon) silently performs church-related actions that the children must follow—but only if they see the leader mime “Simon says” with their mouth. This could be folding hands or kneeling to pray, raising hands in worship, or pretending to read the Bible.
If the kids copy an action that wasn’t started with “Simon says,” they’re out for that round. The last child standing is the winner!
Shepherd’s Sheep
Teach kids to trust in their Good Shepherd with this challenging obstacle course. One child plays the role of “shepherd,” and the others are the “sheep.” The shepherd must lead their blindfolded sheep through obstacles to their “pasture,” using only verbal commands.
The sheep who listens carefully and reaches the pasture first wins, or the shepherd wins once they get all their sheep to the pasture.
Pass the Prayer
This quiet, heartwarming game teaches children to share prayers and blessings with the people around them. Before getting started, create a reflective atmosphere and introduce an object kids can hold as they pray. Form a circle and pass around the object, encouraging the children to say a prayer or blessing for the child beside them until everyone takes their turn.
Working with smaller groups offers an opportunity to build close connections, but it can take a bit of creativity to keep kids engaged. Children’s church group games that promote teamwork and communication are great options for a more close-knit setting.
Human Knot with a Biblical Message
Ever heard of the human knot game? It’s fun to both watch and play! At least five kids stand in a circle and extend their right hand to grab the hand of someone opposite them. Repeat with the left hand, ensuring they don’t hold the hand of anyone next to them.
Then, stand back and watch as they try to untangle themselves without breaking their hold. Take time at the end of the game to discuss how their unity in the body of Christ empowers them to work together.
Jesus Feeds the 5,000
Recreate the miracle of Jesus feeding the multitudes with this fun, active game! Here’s the challenge: collect as many loaves and fishes as possible to feed your team, just like Jesus did. Each team will have a basket they must fill as one person from each team races to fetch a loaf or fish across the room. The first team to collect their full set of items wins.
Follow the Leader – Moses Style
Encourage your kids to step bravely into the wilderness as they take turns being Moses leading the Israelites. Set up different challenges to mimic parts of the Exodus journey and get creative by adding actions like climbing mountains (stepping over obstacles) or gathering manna (collecting items). If kids don’t follow Moses’ exact actions, they’re out!
Bible Trivia Jeopardy
This is Bible Trivia Jeopardy—where knowing Elijah from Elisha could earn you big points. Divide the children into teams so they can work together. Each team will race to “buzz in” and prove their biblical knowledge to earn points. Books of the Bible for 400! Miracles of Jesus for 200! Who will be crowned the ultimate Bible trivia champion?
Noah’s Ark Animal Match
In this game, kids become animals ready to board Noah’s ark—two by two! Write down each animal type twice on separate slips of paper and hand them out. Kids will try to find their matching animal without a word. Each child looks for their match using only animal sounds and movements. Once they find each other, they’ll lock arms and head to the “ark” together.
Now that you’ve added 15 exciting games for children’s church to your ministry toolbox, it’s time to play! Incorporating these fun activities will help your kids stay engaged, excited, and eager to grow in their faith every week.
Whether you’re working with a ton of high-energy kids or a small quiet group, these activities will empower you to entertain children of all ages while deepening their understanding of the Bible. Use these fun church games to create memorable experiences that grow a love for Jesus and bring joy to your children’s church service.
