- Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6
Here are some engaging prayer activities designed specifically for kids to help them learn and enjoy praying:
Each child writes a prayer on a strip of colored paper. Connect these strips to form a chain. Hang it where everyone can see it, symbolizing how prayers link us together.
Teaches the communal aspect of prayer and visually represents the accumulation of prayers.
Create small fabric or paper pockets. Children can write or draw prayers on slips of paper and place them in their pockets. They can carry these with them or keep them in a special prayer corner at home.
Encourages kids to carry their prayers with them, remembering to pray throughout the day.
Have kids paint or decorate stones with words or symbols of what they're praying for (e.g., peace, love, family). They can hold these stones during prayer or keep them as a reminder.
A tactile way for children to connect with their prayers.
Go for a walk around the school, church, or neighborhood, stopping at different points to pray for specific things (like the community, school, nature).
Helps kids see prayer as an active part of their life, connecting their prayers to the world around them.
Design postcards with prayer themes or scripture. Kids can write prayers on the back for missionaries, friends, or family members far away, then mail them.
Teaches the outreach aspect of prayer and the joy of sending encouragement.
Decorate a jar where children can write their prayers on paper and put them inside. Every now and then, read some prayers out loud or thank God for answered prayers.
Visualizes how many prayers are being offered and fosters a habit of both making and acknowledging answered prayers.
Hide prayer prompts or verses around a room or yard. When found, children read the prayer or verse and say a quick prayer based on it.
Makes prayer interactive and fun, helping kids focus on different aspects of prayer.
Use puppets to enact different prayer scenarios or stories from the Bible about prayer. Children can then create their own prayer scenes.
Engages children in a creative way, making prayer less abstract and more relatable.
Trace children’s hands on paper, and on each finger, write a different type of prayer (praise, thanks, confession, supplication, intercession). Use these hands to guide prayer time.
Teaches the different forms of prayer in a simple, memorable way.
Have kids write or draw their prayers and place them in a time capsule. Bury or store it to be opened at a later date or special occasion.
Encourages reflection on how prayers change or grow over time, and it’s a fun way to look back at their faith journey.
These activities not only make prayer a regular and enjoyable part of a child’s routine but also help them understand various aspects of prayer in a hands-on, meaningful way.
