Fun things to do with a little planning and a few materials, most of which you probably already have! Yay! 😀
Some of these are mere fun energy outlets, while some are great for question reviews, and others are applicable to your class Bible lessons and memory verses. Pick what you like and adapt it to suit your class! And if you have any other fun game ideas for Sunday School, please contact us!
- Card Hunt (cards you use for Sunday School, tape)
- # Minute List (paper and pencils, subject)
- Find the Pair (2 sets of cards with verses or Bible characters)
- Balloons In the Air (balloons)
- Bible Karuta (Bible Karuta cards or other)
- Ball ‘N Hoop (hoops & balls)
- Spoon Relay & Other Relays (spoons & ping-pong balls, etc.)
☆More games & activities coming soon!☆
1. Card Hunt
Materials: cards, some tape, & and places to hide them!
This is a fun game to start off the class with, and it’s even more fun and challenging if the color of the cards blends in well with your wall, floor, or furniture (more hiding opportunities!). Before class time, hide your cards around your room in between books, under desks and chairs, on bookshelves, against the wall, and wherever you wish! And have the children find them.
TIP: Use some tape and secure some of the cards to the under sides of chairs, tables, and shelves.
TIP: I use verses printed out on thick white 2×3 in. paper cards. You can use cards with Bible characters, quiz questions, verses, or just verse references and have the children answer accordingly to the cards they find.
2. # Minute List
Material: paper & pencils
This is a great way to catch wandering minds, and harness imaginations for something connected directly to the lesson. This can be either oral or written, depending on the age and number of your students. Give your students # much time to write down or say as many words they associate with the theme or question you give. Depending on the theme or question, the time you’ll give them to complete their list could range from half a minute to three minutes.
EXAMPLE: (Noah’s Ark theme) Two minutes to write or say as many animals as you can think of– bears, lions, elephants, doves, etc.
TIP: This would also be a great way to review Bible stories from previous lessons, and see how much the children remember without prompting their minds with questions.
EXAMPLE: (David and Goliath theme) One minute to write or say as many things, places, and people associated with this story– sling, giant, King Saul, etc.
3. Find the Pair
Materials: 2 sets of cards with verses/Bible characters, etc. (any cards of your choice, making sure there are two of each kind of card)
This is a great memory game! Spread out all the cards face down in the center. The students, turn by turn, each choose and flip over one card then a second card. If the cards match, the player takes the set and gets to go another turn. The chances of getting a match by random chance is pretty rare, so everyone needs keep their eyes peeled on what cards are being flipped over and where. Play till all the cards are matched, and see who gets the most sets.
4. Balloons in the Air
Materials: Balloons! Yes, that’s all!
Give everyone a balloon and have them keep their balloon in the air. Create short time challenges like having them use only knees, elbows, head, or fists to bop the balloon to keep it off the floor till you call out your next challenge.
TIP: This works great as a “last man standing” game. Whoever lets their balloon touch the floor or violates a challenge rule is out. Start out with easy challenges then give them more difficult ones.
TIP: You could make lots of fun variations for this game! Kids love balloons! (Adults often do, too! ;-D)
5. Bible Karuta
Materials: Bible karuta card set or other cards suitable for this game
I have no idea if there is a game like this in English speaking countries. I grew up in Japan and played this often, but the simplest variation of this game involves the teacher calling out a word or a phrase, and the students competing to find and touch/slap the corresponding card first. Even without a karuta set, a form of this game can easily be done by spreading out any kind of Bible story/verse-related cards and having the children race to get the card you specifically call out or describe. Keep going until all the cards are taken. The player who collects the most cards wins.
EXAMPLE: Put out Bible character cards and describe one of them. “A Jewish girl who became queen and saved her people” (Esther)
EXAMPLE: Put out cards with just Bible verse references and read corresponding verses aloud, “For God so loved the world…” (card with John 3:16) Or vice versa.
TIP: This game can be played on the floor with the children sitting in a circle, as it is traditionally done in Japan, or at a table with the children sitting or standing.
6. Ball ‘N Hoop
Materials: hoops & balls
Dividing your students into teams of two, have one throwing and one holding a hoop. Using one or more balls per team, give them a certain number of tries (or a time limit) to get in as many balls through their partners’ hoop as possible.
TIP: If the ages of your students are similar, be sure to even the playing field by having the same distance between partners on all teams, and have the ones holding the hoops all hold them in the same way. (Eg: at waist level, above their heads, having the hoop either parallel or perpendicular to the floor.)
TIP: Medium-small to small softer balls work best; if you don’t have any hoops you can make them with strips of cardboard and tape like I did. 😉
7. Spoon Relay & Other Relays
Materials: spoons & ping-pong balls, etc.
I think most of us already know the spoon relay game! But for the sake of a short summary of this game, it involves each team player going one at a time carrying a bean, ping-pong ball, etc. in his spoon across a designated area as quickly as possible without dropping it. If he drops what he is carrying, he can go and pick it up, but must resume the course from the exact place he left off. This is done in relay-fashion till every player on a team has each had a turn. The first team to finish wins!
TIP: The spoon relay seems to be the classic indoor relay game, but you can get quite creative with relay games! There are hundreds of possibilities!
Example: Have them balance a book or something on their head, carry a ball between their chin and neck, walk with a balloon held between their knees, etc.
TIP: Add challenges like hopping only on one leg, going backwards, crawling– the sky is the limit! Have fun! 🙂
稚内バプテスト聖書教会・Wakkanai Baptist Bible Church 
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