How to Keep Kids Occupied During Church
It̵7;s difficult for young children to remain engaged during a church service because their attention spans are relatively short. Attention spans last between three and five minutes per year of age -- which means a 6-year-old will probably remain engaged in an activity for about 30 minutes. Most church services, however, last longer than that. Parents can help prevent boredom during the service by giving their kids activities to keep them occupied.
Things You'll Need
- Pencil
- Paper
- Pipe cleaners
- Notebook
- Stickers
- Bag of toys
- Construction paper
- Crayons
- Soft measuring tape
Instructions
Give older children a list of words to listen for during the church service. When they hear a word on the list, have them cross it off. This not only keeps them occupied, it also requires them to pay attention to the service. Give them a copy of the church bulletin, which should have the schedule of the service. Show older children how to follow along and to check off events as they occur. Show children how they can twist pipe cleaners to make shapes, animals and bracelets. Pipe cleaners are inexpensive and do not make any noise if dropped. Supply your children with a notebook, pencil and stickers and have them create a journal. Older children can write about what is going on during the service and younger ones can draw pictures to illustrate the service. They can decorate their journals with stickers when they are finished drawing and writing. After the service you can discuss what they recorded. Go back and review previous journal entries periodically. Kids love to see how their writing and drawing improves over time. Prepare a special bag full of toys. Only allow your child to use this bag at church. These toys will be special since your child will only get to play with them once or twice a week. Use toys that are quiet if dropped. For example, you could include stuffed animals, soft-plastic blocks and rubber bracelets. Cut sheets of construction paper in half. The sheets should be approximately the size of a hymnal, which will make it easier for your child to color on the paper, not on the hymnal. Supply your child with crayons and stickers. Allow her to decorate the pieces of construction paper and turn them into cards for other church members. Your child will stay occupied and people will love receiving their homemade cards. Give your child a length of soft measuring tape. You can purchase them at fabric and craft stores. Let your child measure different items around them during the service. For instance, they can measure the hymnal, church bulletin and their hands. Older children can record their findings. Soft measuring tape works well because it doesn̵7;t make a sound if dropped.
