Resources. Resources. Resources. Every children’s worker I talk to asks me about resources. In my last post, I gave SONGS FOR KIDZ CHURCH. Today I am going to add apps, youtube channels, games, story books for teaching, and Bible books for children into your children’s ministry toolbag.
APPS
- YOUVERSION: THE BIBLE APP FOR KIDS (A free Bible experience for your kids. Animated storybook app for smartphones and tablets. Vivid illustrations with touch-activated animations. Games and activities help kids remember what they learn.) I love to use this app in my teaching for kids. They love the interaction of this Bible app.
- SUPERBOOK (This FREE Kid’s Bible app brings the Bible to life for the entire family with a full Bible, videos, images and engaging interactive games. Featuring fourteen (14) full-length, FREE EPISODES from the Emmy nominated Superbook series including, In The Beginning, The Test!, Jacob and Esau, Let My People Go!, The Ten Commandments, A Giant Adventure, Roar!, The First Christmas, Miracles of Jesus, The Last Supper, He Is Risen, The Road to Damascus, Revelation, Jonah)
- JELLYTELLY (Shows, Movies and Devotionals where God is Real! JellyTelly is the only Christian digital streaming service dedicated to kids providing them with a safe place to watch, play, and grow! There is a subscription fee of $5.99 a month but it is worth it to keep your kids safe and enriched.)
- BIBLEMAN (All of the action and adventure of BibleMan is now on your phone or iPad! Every BibleMan episode is available for purchase through this app. Download your favorite episodes or get them all for a special low price. Start your collection with “Turning Out the Unholy Hero” for free!)
YOUTUBE
- Holy Tales (The Holy Tales: Bible is the channel that can teach bible stories for children. Christian Bible stories told through animations, songs.)
- LEGO Bible Stories This is one of my favorite new resources for kids. On this channel, you will find numerous animated Bible Stories that make these characters come to life. CAUTION: It is always prudent to preview any video that you play for your kids BEFORE you show your kids.
GAMES
- The right game can bring excitement to any situation. I have a personal rule that I only purchase items if I can use them at least 7 different ways. Below are links to items that can be used at least seven different ways:
- 5 Tips for Successful Games, Balloons, Beach Balls, Challenge Tarps, Circle Games, Clothes Pins, Food Games, Ice Breakers, No Prop Games, Parachute Games, Pool Noodles
STORY BOOKS FOR TEACHING
- My wife loves to say, “The most powerful teaching strategy ever used is STORY! Jesus continually used parables (or stories) to teach and so should we!!!” Below are great stories you can use to impart truth to children.
- Wise and Silly by Wilmer Rowland Jr.
- VALUE: Choices, A parable of the wise man and foolish man
- In Jesus Name by Wilmer Rowland Jr.
- VALUE: The Power of the Name of Jesus
- Keep Going by Wilmer Rowland Jr.
- VALUE: We have started and we can’t quit
- 3 Pigs and the Truth by Wilmer Rowland Jr.
- VALUE: An old Tale of the Three Pigs to share the Plan of Salvation of Repentance, Baptism and infilling of the Holy Ghost
- How to Get to Heaven by Wilmer Rowland Jr.
- VALUE: A creative tale of the necessity of Acts 2:38
- A Great Day for Up by Dr. Suess
- VALUE: The Power of Positivity
- The Foot Book by Dr. Suess
- VALUE: Walking like Jesus Walked (Okay, this is not the original intent of the book but with a little imagination and creativity this can be a fun book to get the point across)
- Oh The Places You’ll Go by Dr. Suess
- VALUE: Embracing the journey of life and its challenges.
- The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
- VALUE: The Gift of Giving
- No One Through the Cracks by Carolyn Sollman
- VALUE: Children in schools, homes and churches can fall through the cracks. With caring adults, proper teaching strategies and the power of Christ, we can avoid our children falling through the cracks and redeem those that already have.
- Princess Gabby Girl and The Sparkly Dress by Camille Battaglia
- VALUE: Princess Gabby Girl and the Sparkly Dress is a story about a little Princess who loves to dance around the palace and discovers a gorgeous, sparkly, magic dress and Miss Marvelous in the magic mirror. She finds happiness comes by sharing and caring for others. Her good deeds cause her dress to shine brighter but she is told by Miss Marvelous it will get dark if she forgets. She is so happy when her dress is sparkling but as soon as she focuses only on herself the dress becomes dull and dingy. She begins to forget all about her promise to Miss Marvelous. Her frustration grows as her dress continues to get darker and it appears to be beyond repair. The Princess gives up on trying to fix the dress and then with the help of Miss Marvelous she realizes that her true sparkle and true happiness comes from helping others. Once again she lights up her home, her village and her world!
- My Princesses Learn to Be Brave by Stephanie Rische
- VALUE: Friends Grace and Hope want to play on their favorite slide at the park. However, when they get to the slide, they meet a mean bully who won’t let them. As the girls turn to leave, Grace recalls the story of Queen Esther, who bravely stood up for her people. Inspired by Esther’s story, the girls ask the bully to be their knight and invite him to play with them on the slide. Recommended for ages 2-7.
- How Full Is Your Bucket? For Kids by
- VALUE: Encouragement, Kindness. Each of us has an invisible bucket. When our bucket is full, we feel great. When it’s empty, we feel awful. Yet most children (and many adults) don’t realize the importance of having a full bucket throughout the day.
BIBLE BOOKS FOR CHILDREN
- GOD, I NEED TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT…
- God, I Need to Talk to You About… is a set of 24 books that include Child-friendly text and illustrations that help children think and pray about behaviors they encounter in daily life. The books express that all sinful behaviors are forgiven through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and encourage children to go to God in prayer any time they feel tempted or troubled. Scripture examples help children apply it to their lives. This set contains all 24 books in the God, I Need to Talk to You About… series. Each book is 12 pages and measures 5.5 x 4 inches.
- This series includes God, I Need to Talk to You About… Disrespect, Lying, My Bad Temper, Talking Back, Paying Attention, Bullying, Hurting Others, Stealing, Bad Manners, Whining, Homework, Video Games, Bad Words, Healthy Eating, Sharing, Greed, and Being A Bad Sport.
- I CAN READ! / THE BEGINNER’S BIBLE — MY FIRST READING
- Joseph and His Brothers
- Daniel and the Lions
- Jesus Feeds the People
- Jonah and the Big Fish
- Baby Moses and the Princess
- Jesus Saves the World
- Baby Jesus Is Born
- Jesus and His Friends
- Adam and Eve in the Garden
- Queen Esther Helps God’s People
- Moses and the King
- Lost Son
- Noah and the Great Big Ark
- Bible Story Favorites
- The Very First Easter
- LEVEL 1
- LEVEL 2
- Miracles of Jesus
- The Good Samaritan
- A Father’s Love
- Facing the Blazing Furnace
- Ruth and Naomi
- Brave Queen Esther
- Paul Meets Jesus
- Elijah, God’s Mighty Prophet
- Noah’s Voyage
- Moses Leads the People
- Joseph the Dreamer
- David and God’s Giant Victory
- Jonah, God’s Messenger
- Daniel, God’s Faithful Follower
- Moses, God’s Brave Servant
- Noah and God’s Great Promise
- Adam and Eve, God’s First People
CONCLUSION
- This is just a sampling of resources. I would love to hear your favorite resource that I have overlooked. Feel free to list your favorite resource in the comments. Due to the rapidly changing nature of the internet, it is possible that some of the above links may change. Enjoy these resources with your children and be blessed!
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