Faith-Filled Fun for the Final Few Minutes

As every Sunday school teacher or Vacation Bible School (VBS) leader knows, a few extra minutes at the end of a children’s ministry class can feel like both a blessing and a challenge. You’ve finished the Bible lesson, the craft is drying, the snack is gone, and parents won’t arrive for another five minutes. While five minutes may not seem like enough time to launch a new activity, it’s the perfect amount of time to reinforce key themes, engage with wiggly bodies, and wrap up your Sunday morning with fun and faith. 

What to Do with Extra Time in Sunday School or VBS 

Children’s ministry moments don’t need to be elaborate to be effective. In fact, short, simple and spontaneous faith-based fun can often leave the biggest impression. Below are creative, Bible-based ideas to help fill those extra moments in your Sunday school class, children’s church or VBS program: 

1. Jesus Says (a Biblical twist on “Simon Says”) 

A favorite among kids, “Simon Says” gets a fun and faithful makeover with “Jesus Says.” This simple game keeps kids moving while reinforcing listening skills and biblical values. Replace traditional commands with motions tied to Bible stories. 

Example actions: 

• “Jesus says, walk like a disciple.” 

• “Jesus says, feed the 5,000 (pretend to pass bread and fish).” 

• “Jesus says, be a tree (Psalm 1!).” 

• “Jesus says, Pray.” 

• “Spin in a circle.” (Did Jesus say?) 

This is a quick game that doesn’t require supplies and can be as calm or energetic as needed. 

To make it even more educational, follow each command with a quick explanation—”Jesus fed the 5,000 because He had compassion,” or “Psalm 1 compares those who love God to a tree planted by water.” 

2. Children’s Worship Bulletins and Bonus Activities 

Never underestimate the value of a good activity sheet. Keep a stack of Children’s Worship Bulletins nearby, ready for those remaining minutes. With puzzles, word searches, coloring and age-appropriate games, these bulletin activity sheets help reinforce the day’s Bible lesson in a quiet, independent way. 

Pro Tips for maximizing bulletins: 

• Offer a highlighter or colorful pen to make it feel special. 

• Encourage kids to pair up and quiz each other on the bulletin questions. 

• Let them complete a maze or spot-the-difference as a mini challenge. 

• Cut out certain sections ahead of time and make them part of a team relay or scavenger hunt. 

Children’s Worship Bulletins is great for Sunday school lessons, Vacation Bible School or even to tuck into a backpack for weekday encouragement. They’re also ideal for children’s church when parents are running late or the pastor goes a few minutes long. 

3. Bible Music Freeze Dance

Play a favorite children’s worship song and let the kids dance! When the music stops, they freeze like a Bible character. You can announce it before each round (“Freeze like Jonah in the whale!”). Or have them come up with creative poses themselves. 

Bible-themed freeze ideas: 

• Freeze like David slinging a stone 

• Freeze like an angel announcing good news 

• Freeze like a lion (Daniel in the lion’s den) 

• Freeze like the prodigal son returning home 

• Freeze like Paul in prison 

Add more engagement by having a student guess which pose the other kids are doing. This game is perfect for burning energy and ending the class on a joyful note. 

4. Bible Charades (mini style) 

Use simple actions to act out Bible stories or people and let the class guess who or what you are. It’s easy to adapt for younger or older kids and helps them recall key figures from Scripture. 

Ideas to act out: 

• Noah building the ark 

• Moses parting the Red Sea 

• Jesus calming the storm 

• Mary riding the donkey 

• Peter fishing 

• Ruth gleaning in the field 

How to play: 

• Pick one student to act. 

• Whisper or show them a card with a character or action. 

• Let one act while others guess. 

Make your own set of charades cards to keep in your Sunday school resource bag. 

5. Bible Trivia Toss

All you need is a soft ball or beanbag and a few simple trivia questions. Form a circle and have the child with the ball answer a question before tossing it to someone else. 

Sample questions: 

• What did God create on the first day? 

• Who was swallowed by a big fish? 

• How many commandments are there? 

• Who built the ark? 

• What was the name of Jesus’ mother? 

You can make this game age-appropriate by adjusting the difficulty. Younger kids can answer yes or no questions, while older kids can answer open-ended ones. You could even turn it into a team-based challenge to use in older children’s Sunday school classes. 

6. Memory Verse Match-Up 

If you taught a memory verse that day, this is a fun way to reinforce it. 

Option A: Word Scramble 

• Write the verse on separate word cards. 

• Let kids work together to put it in the correct order. 

Option B: Motion Memory 

• Add hand motions to each part of the verse. 

• Practice the verse together with gestures. 

Bonus Challenge: Ask kids to recite the verse backward (with help!). Or, say every other word. 

For a twist, create a silly voice challenge. Say the verse in a whisper, robot voice, or opera singer voice! 

7. Guess the Bible Story

Describe a Bible story without naming it and let the kids guess what it is. You can make the clues as obvious or tricky as you like! 

Sample clues: 

• “It involves a big boat and lots of animals.” 

• “A shepherd boy fought a giant with just a sling.” 

• “Jesus told a story about a lost sheep.” 

• “A man was lowered through a roof to see Jesus.” 

This encourages listening, storytelling, and memory. 

To make it more interactive, let students give clues while others guess. It turns into a team-building moment for your Sunday school class. 

8. Prayer Pals or Gratitude Circle

Use those last five minutes to end on a meaningful, peaceful note. Sit in a circle and invite children to say one thing they’re thankful for or one person they want to pray for. 

Ideas: 

• Share a high and low from the week. 

• Pray for families, pets, schools, or upcoming events. 

• Let kids volunteer to lead a short prayer. 

• Use “thank you” cards or prayer request cards that your students can fill out. 

These brief moments of reflection help deepen spiritual connections and make children feel seen, heard and supported in their faith journey. 

9. Bible-drawing Prompt

If you keep paper and crayons on hand, offer a quick drawing prompt that matches your Bible lesson: 

• “Draw your favorite part of today’s story.” 

• “Draw what you think heaven looks like.” 

• “Draw yourself helping someone, like the Good Samaritan.” 

• “Draw a picture of Jesus with children.” 

You can even create a wall of mini art to display during the month or send it home as part of their faith journal. 

10. Pass the Praise

Form a circle and pass around an object (like a stuffed animal or ball). Whoever is holding it says one thing they love about God, one thing they learned today, or one kind word about someone in the room. 

Prompt examples: 

• “God is…” 

• “Today I learned…” 

• “I saw someone show kindness when…” 

• “I want to thank God for…” 

This activity builds community and boosts confidence—a perfect way to end your children’s ministry time together. 

Bonus Tips for a Smooth Ending: 

• Prepare ahead: Keep a small box or folder of “five-minute fillers” with supplies, printables and prompts. 

• Flexibility is key: Read the room. If kids are wound up, go more active. If they’re tired, go a calmer route. 

• Keep it joyful: Your excitement is contagious. A joyful Sunday morning spirit helps every moment feel special. 

• Document what works: Keep a running list of what games or activities your group enjoys most. 

• Make a rotation: Introduce a “Mystery Minute” where a surprise activity or game is pulled from a jar. Kids love anticipation! 

Why the Final Few Minutes Matter

Even the smallest moments in Sunday school, children’s church or Vacation Bible School can plant seeds of faith. Those extra five minutes are opportunities to: 

• Reinforce your Bible lesson 

• Strengthen friendships 

• Encourage prayer and praise 

• Leave children feeling loved, valued, and connected to Jesus 

• Help children wind down and transition peacefully 

• Give volunteers and teachers a built-in plan for extended service time 

Whether it’s a simple game, a song, or a moment of reflection, every minute can point kids toward Christ. And as a Sunday school teacher, that’s the most important part of your calling. 

So, the next time you hear “We have five minutes left!”, smile, grab your “Jesus Says” list or stack of Children’s Worship Bulletins, and enjoy those final, faith-filled moments with your kids.

Because in God’s classroom, there’s no such thing as wasted time.