Making Kids Feel Special While Away From Church

During this time surrounding the COVID-19 crisis, kids are separated from those at church they love. Often kids live with parents or caregivers who aren’t Christians. The Sunday morning or Wednesday night KidMin leader is often the most caring and loving person in that child's life. And now because of the pandemic, kids can’t come to church and can't receive the affirmation they normally get.

Most churches are endeavoring to do a short kids service or class online. This helps, but here are some other ways KidMin leaders can make kids feel special, feel loved, and understand they are missed:

Online Cards: If you have an email address for the child’s parent or caregiver, consider sending online “We miss you” cards. There are several sites for accessing and sending these cards inexpensively or free. One is: https://www.123greetings.com/general/miss_you/. Kids would love opening an animated card from their KidMin leader or teacher showing they are missed!

Doorbell Surprise: Many churches are driving by kids' homes and putting a bag of cookies or treats on the door of the house with an encouraging note, pushing the doorbell, and running away. You will have to check to see if this is allowed in your state. If so, it is a fun way to surprise the kids. (Note: for a big church, divide up the areas of town with multiple drivers.)

Make Your Own Cookies: Consider attaching a roll of cookie dough to the doorknob of a child’s home. Ring the doorbell to make sure someone comes and gets it. Leave a note saying, “Here is a package of ‘make-your-own We Love You’ chocolate chip cookies.”

Drop off Frozen Freeze Pops: Freeze pops are inexpensive, but they are really good. Have them frozen and ready to eat. This could be an inexpensive way of sharing a treat with kids. Drop them off with an encouraging note and ring the doorbell!

Phone Calls: Kids love it when you check on them by phone. Caregivers seem to like it as well when you call the kids, distract them for a bit, and let the kids talk about what they are doing.

A Surprise Pizza or Surprise Giant Cookie: A fun way to let a family know they are missed is by sending them a surprise pizza or a giant cookie. It will cost a bit of money, but it is a way for the church to show the family that they are thinking of them and missing them. This can also be a great prize for fun activities you do with kids (see our article entitled “Fun Ideas for Kids Stuck at Home”).

A Letter: Kids love to get mail. Sending kids a letter gives them something to open and read. You could insert a McDonalds gift certificate, or a puzzle, or a crazy picture in the letter. It is a great way to make your kids feel special. Kids often will read the letter over and over, so choose your words carefully. Make your words full of affirmation. Mention the child’s faith in God, helpfulness in class, or big smile. (Be sure to follow CDC guidelines pertaining to sending mail.)

Make a Video Message: Make a video message of yourself doing something silly that would make your kids laugh. This could be anything from wearing a silly hat, wearing silly clothes, sitting in a baby-style swimming pool, eating something weird, etc. Let them laugh at you and let them know how much you miss them. You can do this on FaceBook®, Messenger®, or YouTube®.

Marco Polo: Marco Polo is a free app that lets you put multiple kids and leaders on one string and then you can send video messages back and forth in fun ways.

There are so many great ideas to show kids you care. Send us your ideas at [email protected] so we can add them to this list! Keep on reaching kids with the gospel. Take note of two other articles entitled: “Fun Ideas for Kids Stuck at Home” and “Kids Sharing Their Faith From Home.”