Kids love routine, but they also love surprises. Here is a quick way to include both in your family devotions with kids.

Create a family devotion jar. Make slips of paper with activities (various devotion styles). Let the kids take turns drawing one of the slips each evening to determine which activity will be done.

You will have the routine of a regular devotion time, but a collection of “surprise” activities to keep the kids engaged.

Here are some of the devotion activities that could be on the slips:

1. Act out the Bible story. Read a short passage from the Bible, and have the kids act out the events. Then, talk about it with your kids. How did the happenings impact the people in the Bible? How can we apply them to our lives today?
2. Read the next entry from an age-appropriate devotional.
3. Sing a song. Let the child who chooses for the night, pick a favorite Christian song for the family to sing.
4. Share a prayer. Let the child or teen take the lead in asking your family member for prayer requests. Then, let him lead your family in prayer.
5. Read a Bible storybook aloud.
6. Read a passage from the Bible aloud. Video the young reader. Grandparents LOVE getting these kinds of recordings.
7. Color a picture. Kids and adults love to color. Choose a Christian coloring book. Spend time together coloring and talking about the Bible story and how it impacts their lives today.

What would you add to the list?

Blessings,

Carol