Bible Activities That Lead Kids Closer to Jesus
Posted by Michele Triplett on 19th Sep 2025
Bible Activities That Lead Kids Closer to Jesus
What if every kid's Bible lesson you teach helps them better grasp it through an accompanying activity? Hands-on engagement can lead kids directly to experiencing a real relationship with Jesus.
I can still picture myself as a bright-eyed seven-year-old in Sunday school, proudly rattling off Bible verses in exchange for shiny little certificate cards. I was such an overachiever that I stacked them high-a treasure trove now tucked away in a dusty box in my attic.
The challenge was fun; the rewards felt sweet. Today, I look back and wonder. Did those cards bring me closer to Jesus, or just closer to a collection of dos and don’ts and bragging rights?
As an adult, I know the real goal of all of our teaching to "lead" children. Leading our youth goes beyond rules and rewards. We have an amazing opportunity to inspire a living, breathing relationship with Him. Below is a picture of me at seven years old.
The Challenge of Shallow Children’s Ministry
Ministry may become reduced to instructing kids what’s right and wrong, if the teacher does most of the talking and children only listening. “Faith” can quickly feel like a list of religious rules to a kid. Instead, combing Bible lessons with active learning can be an invitation to relationship.
Five minutes after pick-up, most kids can’t even remember what they were taught. Unless they have engagement. Invite them to use their hands and awaken their senses. Then your lesson has a better chance to stick.
Without creatively inspired encounters that focus on Jesus, we risk raising kids who only know religion. It is better to inspire relationship with the One who is their source. Jesus is true Righteousness, Peace, and Joy. Not religion.
Bible Activities Focused on Relationship Not Religion
Because kids learn best by doing, Bible activities should go beyond the dos and don’ts. Instead, draw them into hands-on experiences that reveal who God is. This helps them personally experience who He created them to be in Christ.
If every lesson moved children beyond Bible facts into a true encounter with Jesus as Savior, Lord, and Friend, their hearts would be transformed. This impacts their lives! It can also influence their families, friendships, and futures.
When active hands-on learning is rooted in relationship with Jesus and His truth, every lesson becomes clearer. It is more memorable. It is easier for teachers to offer a life-changing encounter with Him with A "Lesson" + "Activity."
A few clear ideas of what we mean by teaching the Bible with interactive learning activities explain this.
Examples of Lesson Integration with Activities
Listed below are popular CreativeForKids products that perfectly blend with specific kid's Bible lessons.
Bible Story Visuals:
During Bible story time, you can use Jesus Is Risen pop stick cutouts to show the resurrection story. While listening, kids can make their own set. This hands on learning helps them remember Jesus rose from the grave.
Memory Verse Crafts:
This God So Loved the World color wheel is perfect for preschoolers. Kids can feel Jesus's love and remember the story by taking it home to play with. They can retell the story through hands on repetition.
Visual Teaching Aides:
Jesus Scripture Flash Cards are a fun way to show kids who they are in Christ. By revealing each flash card, it reminds them of his love and value for them. The fun scripture cards often help children open up and talk about their relationship with Jesus.
Kids love putting them up on the fridge, walls and mirrors at home. They become a daily reminder of how Jesus sees them.
Match-Up Games:
The Road to Jesus Match-up Game offers a fun way for children to learn about salvation. The gameplay helps them discover Jesus' love and the gift of eternal life. This activity game helps kids focus on His sacrifice.
Bible Story Puzzle:
Our Nativity Stick Puzzle builds hand eye coordination while sharing the birth of Christ. Kids learn that Jesus came as a baby and grew up like them. Which teaches them He understands what it's like to be a kid.
Mini Story Book
This Christmas Story Mini Coloring Book is a hands-on reminder of the true meaning of Christmas. Children can color and fold their own story book about Jesus’ birth. Later, they can share the Christmas story form their colored and folded Mini Story Book.
How Does Hands-on Learning Work?
Hands-on learning works because kids "learn by doing."
Young minds are extraordinarily bright and teachable! It is with great pleasure we teach pre-scholars because a fresh mind grasps quickly.
- According to Nasco Education hands-on learning is proven to promote longer retention and student engagement.
- Studies show that kids retain more through doing, not just hearing.
- Creative activities help improve attentiveness and reduce boredom.
- Fun, interactive Bible lessons help children experience Jesus personally.
- Research shows active, hands-on learning boosts understanding and recall.
- The Federation of American Scientists confirms that including playful learning improves children’s outcomes.
Creative Display Ideas
- Hang flash cards on classroom walls for quick review.
- Display finished crafts as reminders of Bible truths.
- Use matching games as group wall charts.
Volunteer Benefits
- Volunteers enjoy the ease of teaching with ready-to-use, hands-on tools.
- It makes their role simpler and their lessons more engaging and impactful.
- Seeing kids engaged in learning and remembering Bible lessons motivates them.
Closing Encouragement to Kids Church Ministers
When we take the time to create lessons full of hands-on, faith-filled experiences, we're not just helping kids discover and love Jesus, we're giving ourselves a chance to fall deeper in love with Him too.
As children see, touch, and do, the seeds of His Word take root in their little hearts, making an eternal impact on their lives.
Every time we teach, every time we guide them in His truth, we are reminded of the importance of sharing His love. For that reason, keep creating, keep sharing, and watch how His life changing love grows in the children you teach.
Creative Children's Bible Activities
Don't just teach the Bible, bring it to Life!
Try these interactive Bible activities in your classroom this week and witness firsthand how kids engage, remember, and draw profoundly closer to Jesus. Kids love playful, hands-on learning.