Sunday Morning Survival: What to Do When Kids Are Bored in Church

Have you ever sat in a church service with a squirmy child whispering, “How much longer?” You’re not alone. Even the most patient children can struggle to sit still during worship, and as parents or children’s ministry leaders, it’s easy to feel torn between wanting kids to behave appropriately and wanting them to genuinely enjoy being part of worship in God’s house. 

If you’ve ever wrestled a crinkly snack bag, rescued crayons rolling toward the altar, or used the classic “church whisper” (“Sit. Down. Right. Now.”), congratulations—you’re officially part of the Sunday Morning Survival Club. 

The good news is this: helping children engage in a church service does not have to feel like running a spiritual obstacle course. Children aren’t bored because they don’t care. They’re bored because long stretches of passive listening are difficult for active minds and busy hands. With the right tools, a little creativity, and a sense of humor, those wiggly moments can become opportunities for learning, spiritual connection, and even joy. 

The key is giving children purposeful, hands-on ways to listen and engage—inviting them to notice a theme, identify a key Bible character, sketch what they hear, or write down a truth to remember. With a few simple strategies, restless moments can turn into meaningful connection with the message (and far fewer crayon rescues under the pew). When children feel included and engaged, they may even begin to look forward to Sunday mornings. 

Some services include a children’s moment, and we can encourage kids to be especially attentive during this special time designed just for them. Beyond that, here are eleven practical, kid-friendly ideas to help children stay engaged throughout the service while keeping their hands quietly occupied. 

1. Children’s Worship Bulletins are a Sunday morning game-changer. Designed to align with the same Scripture your pastor is preaching, these bulletins help kids connect directly to the message through activities they genuinely enjoy. They often include crosswords, word searches, dot-to-dots, hidden pictures, and more. Each four-panel bulletin allows children to follow along using age-appropriate puzzles that reinforce the sermon. All are available in two versions—one for younger children and one for older children—so everyone has something suited to their ability level. Once the activities are completed, the adorable artwork is an added bonus and children can color some of the pictures, which is especially helpful on longer Sundays. Many churches choose the subscription option, so all families have access, making it easier for every child to stay engaged and keep learning throughout the service. 

2. Listen for a key theme in the sermon: Invite children to listen for certain words such as grace, faith, forgiveness, love, or the name of a main Bible character. Provide paper and a pen and encourage them to write the word using different lettering styles, bubble letters, or creative fonts, or to decorate it with drawings. This simple activity keeps hands busy while strengthening listening skills and reinforcing an important spiritual takeaway. 
   
3. Create a comic strip-style sermon page. Divide a standard sheet of paper into twelve squares and invite children to illustrate key moments, ideas, or stories from the sermon as it unfolds. One box at a time, they visually track the message. This low-pressure activity builds focus, concentration, and comprehension. 
   
4. Encourage notetaking. Provide a small notebook and ask children to write down or draw one or two things they want to remember from the sermon. To increase motivation, consider offering a special sticker afterward. This reinforces the message and teaches a valuable life skill they will use in school and beyond. 
   
5. Try a “Words About God” listening chart. Create a simple list of words commonly heard in sermons, and have children mark a box each time they hear one. Words like love, joy, hope, and grace work well. This activity sharpens listening skills and helps children recognize recurring spiritual themes. We kid-tested this last week and they heard the word JOY 10 times!   

6. Draw the emotion. Based on what they hear in the sermon—joyful, serious, questioning, or reflective—children draw a simple face that represents the emotion of the message. This helps them process what they are hearing in an age-appropriate way. 

If a sermon feels longer than usual or attention is fading, it can be helpful to shift to other quiet, spiritually focused activities. 

7. Bible mini felt boards. These are widely available and work well for younger children. They allow little hands to quietly create scenes from the sermon or familiar Bible stories while staying engaged with the message. 
   
8. Create a “God Sightings” list. Children write or draw ways they have seen God’s love during the week. This might include an act of kindness, something beautiful, a moment that made them happy, a helpful friend, or something that brought them peace. 
   
9. Use “What Would You Do?” scenario cards. These simple cards present real-life situations, such as a shy new student, someone being treated unkindly, or a classmate who always wants to go first. Children can think through and write a simple loving Christ-like response.
   
10. Play Bible word ladders. Start with a word like LOVE and change one letter at a time to form a new word, such as LOVE to LIVE to GIVE to GAVE. Another example might be HOPE to COPE to COME to SOME. This activity encourages problem-solving while keeping biblical language front and center. 
    
11. Try gratitude tic-tac-toe. Each square includes a prompt such as something you love, someone who was kind, a person you love, a favorite toy, or something you are hoping for. Children fill in the squares with words or drawings, helping them focus on thankfulness. 

Jesus made it clear how deeply He values children. Scripture tells us that people were bringing children to Jesus so He could bless them, and when the disciples tried to turn them away, Jesus responded firmly: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (Mark 10:14).  

Our desire is for church to be a place where children feel welcomed, valued, and eager to return. More than keeping them occupied, the deeper purpose is to show them God’s love in ways they can personally experience, recognize, and understand in their own lives. When children feel connected to God in meaningful ways, they are more likely to grow into a lifelong faith journey and develop a lasting relationship with our Heavenly Father.