I’ve talked before about how I use games in my children’s church. Almost without exception they work double duty as fun and an object lesson. This means that I create the games right along with the rest of my service and then share that information with the volunteer leading the game.

I wanted to share the format that I write up the games. The format really seems to help me to explain the game properly and keeps the typical barrage of questions and explanations to a minimum. It also helps the volunteer to remember that the game is more than just a game… it’s a teaching tool.

I divide each game into four simple segments:

Props

Most games need props. Basketballs, hula-hoops, chapsticks, cotton balls and plastic forks. I always start my list with the props because without them the game isn’t possible. It helps me to remember to pick up any items I need during the week. It also tells my game leader the first things they need to look for when they head backstage where their props are already sitting out.

Prep

This is where I layout the setup of the game. Two baskets on one side. Two lines of 3 kids (six total) with balls of paper on the other. If there are props that need to be opened, unwrapped, sorted or put into containers this is where I write it up. Ninety percent of frustration alleviation is preparation.

Play

Here is where I punch out exactly how the game is played. The children have sixty seconds to see how high they can stack Lego blocks without them falling over. Is it a timed game or a relay race? If something falls out or over, can they start from there or do they go back to the beginning? Be sure to describe the goal that the children are going for. Include how many points should be given for 1st or 2nd place.

Say

This is the part that ties the game into the lesson. Often I’ll have my leaders give a small intro that helps kids make the link in advance. “Today we’re talking about God loving the world… so we’re going to play a quick game using Hershey Kisses!” Then after the game I’ll have them follow up with a bit more explanation… similar to a teacher explaining an object lesson. “In our game we tried to get as many Hershey Kisses in the box as possible. We worked hard! God wants us to make sure to share as much of His love as possible with the world too!” You get the idea.

I write up each game in my service notes the same way. Here’s an example:

• Props: 2 scooters, 2 rolled newspapers
• Prep: The newspapers are going to serve as “batons” for the players to pass off in the relay. Choose six kids (one from each team) to form two teams. Line them up relay-style.
• Play: Kids will roll their scooter around the congregation holding the newspaper. The first team to have all of their participants down and back wins!
• Say: “Just like the paperboy has to deliver the news to everyone on his route, we as Christians are to share our faith with everyone we meet. It’s not someone elses job. It’s OUR job to start spreading the news! We must SOW wherever we GO!

(Game taken from Brian Dollar’s “High Voltage” children’s church curriculum.)

How do you do games? Share your thoughts and suggestions in the comments.

I believe in cutting my Sunday Children’s Church Service into segments of no more than 10-15 minutes each. One of the ways I do that is by sticking one or two games in to the mix. My games are not just distractions… I use them as an excuse to reiterate the main point of the service. In other words, my games are quick, simple, and themed.

Quick

No matter what our game is we only play it for 60 seconds. My game person chooses the children in advance during the service (watching to see who is being good and choosing at random from that group) and let’s them know when to come up and how to play. When she gets on stage, she calls up the kids she’s already chosen, briefly explains what’s about to happen to the crowd (the gamers already know) and then it’s Mark, Set, GO! Sixty seconds later the game is over, a point is made and prizes and points are given. Then it’s on to the next segment.

Simple

Almost every single one of our stage games follows this formula: “How many (or much) ___________ can you ___________ in 60 seconds?”

This formula helps us keep games simple and quick. Here are some examples of games we’ve done this way:

• How many cotton balls can you collect…
• How many Frisbee’s can you toss through a hoop…
• How much soda can you drink…
• How many puzzle pieces can you put together…
• How many Lego’s can you stack…

Even when we don’t stick to the formula, we still keep it simple and quick.

Themed

There is no reason games should be ‘burn time’ where the kids aren’t learning. It’s simple enough to theme the games after something in the lesson or Bible story. For instance, the cotton ball game above could be used when talking about Manna. Frisbee tosses are for talking about sin and missing the target. Putting puzzles together are good for illustrating how God heals broken hearts. We’ve stacked Lego’s when we’ve talked about God being a strong tower.

The game’s theme isn’t going to be obvious unless your game leader points it out. We typically do this before and after the game. It goes something like this, “Since we’re talking about Manna today, we’re going to practice picking up a bit of Manna ourselves!” Then after the game, “You guys and girls did great picking up that Manna! This game reminds me that God will always provide what we need the same way God provided for His people in the wilderness.”

What stage game tips do you have? Leave them in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you.

I found a page full of free Game Show apps for use on computers for children’s ministry. The games include 25,000 Pyramid, Sale of the Century, Deal or no Deal, Family Feud, Press Your Luck, Blockbusters, Countdown, Wheel, Match Game, 1 vs 100, Million Dollar Password, Scrabble and more.

There is even a Deal or No Deal Banker’s Offer Calculator

Free Game Show Controls