14 Games and Activities That Teach Children to Pray
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Teaching children to pray is a fundamental way to instill faith and a sense of connection with God from an early age. Prayer can be a challenging concept for children to grasp, but games and activities make it approachable and fun. Here are several engaging and interactive ways to teach children about prayer, fostering both understanding and enthusiasm.
1. Prayer Scavenger Hunt
Objective: Teach children how to pray for specific people, things, or blessings.
How to Play:
- Create a list of items, people, or situations that children can “find” in their environment. Examples include “something that makes you happy,” “a person you love,” or “a place where you feel safe.”
- As they “find” each item, guide them to thank God for it or say a prayer for its well-being.
- You can use a worksheet or allow children to draw pictures of the items they pray about.
Lesson: This activity helps children see that they can pray about everyday things, not just during formal moments.
2. Prayer Box Craft
Objective: Create a tangible way for children to organize their prayers.
How to Play:
- Provide each child with a small box (like a shoebox or a craft box).
- Have them decorate their box with stickers, markers, or Bible verses.
- Give them slips of paper to write down prayer requests or things they’re thankful for.
- Encourage them to pull out one slip of paper daily and pray about it.
Lesson: This activity teaches children to keep track of their prayers and encourages consistency in praying for others and giving thanks.
3. The Five-Finger Prayer Game
Objective: Teach children to pray for different categories of people using their fingers as a guide.
How to Play:
- Assign each finger a prayer focus:
- Thumb (closest to you): Pray for family and loved ones.
- Index finger: Pray for teachers, mentors, and those who guide you.
- Middle finger: Pray for leaders and those in authority.
- Ring finger (weakest): Pray for the sick, weak, or those in need.
- Pinky (smallest): Pray for yourself.
- Have children hold up each finger and pray for the corresponding group of people.
Lesson: This simple and memorable activity helps children develop a well-rounded prayer habit.
4. Prayer Relay Race
Objective: Teach children to pray for different topics quickly and thoughtfully.
How to Play:
- Set up a “relay” where children move from station to station, each with a different prayer focus (e.g., family, friends, world, thankfulness).
- At each station, provide a prompt (e.g., “Say one thing you are thankful for” or “Pray for someone who needs help”).
- Time how quickly the group can complete the relay.
Lesson: This activity encourages quick thinking about prayer topics and shows that prayer can cover many areas of life.
5. Prayer Journaling for Kids
Objective: Help children express their prayers through writing or drawing.
How to Play:
- Provide each child with a journal or notebook.
- Assign prompts, such as “Write about something you’re thankful for” or “Draw a picture of someone you want to pray for.”
- Encourage them to date their entries and revisit past prayers to see how God has answered them.
Lesson: Journaling helps children internalize their prayers and recognize God’s work in their lives over time.
6. The Thankful Tree Activity
Objective: Teach children to express gratitude in their prayers.
How to Play:
- Create a tree out of paper or use a small branch in a pot.
- Cut out “leaves” from construction paper and have children write or draw things they are thankful for on each leaf.
- Attach the leaves to the tree.
- During prayer time, choose a few leaves to thank God for.
Lesson: Gratitude is a core part of prayer, and this activity visually reinforces the concept.
7. Popcorn Prayers Game
Objective: Teach children to pray spontaneously and concisely.
How to Play:
- Gather children in a circle.
- One person starts by saying a short prayer (one sentence, such as “Thank you for my family”).
- The next person “pops” up with their prayer, and the process continues around the circle.
- Keep the prayers short and simple to encourage participation.
Lesson: This activity helps children learn to pray without overthinking, focusing on sincerity rather than length.
8. Prayer Pretzel Game
Objective: Use the pretzel’s shape to teach about prayer.
How to Play:
- Provide pretzels for a snack and explain how the twisted shape resembles folded arms in prayer.
- Use this opportunity to discuss the importance of prayer and gratitude.
- Before eating, have each child say a short prayer.
Lesson: This simple snack activity reminds children to associate everyday actions with prayer.
9. Prayer Matching Game
Objective: Teach children about different types of prayer.
How to Play:
- Create cards with different types of prayer (thanksgiving, confession, intercession, praise) and matching examples.
- Have children match the type of prayer to its example.
- Discuss each type and encourage children to practice them in their own words.
Lesson: This game introduces the variety and richness of prayer, helping children see that it’s more than just asking for things.
10. Prayer Walk Activity
Objective: Teach children to pray for their surroundings and community.
How to Play:
- Take children on a walk around their neighborhood, church, or school.
- At various stops (e.g., a playground, a fire station, or a neighbor’s house), pause and pray for the people and activities associated with that place.
Lesson: This activity helps children understand the power of intercessory prayer and its impact on the world around them.
11. Prayer Bingo
Objective: Encourage children to pray for a variety of topics.
How to Play:
- Create Bingo cards with different prayer prompts in each square (e.g., “Pray for your teacher,” “Thank God for the weather,” “Ask God for help with something”).
- As children pray about each topic, they mark the square.
- The first one to complete a row wins.
Lesson: This game makes prayer interactive and ensures children pray for diverse topics.
12. Build-a-Prayer Puzzle
Objective: Teach children the elements of a complete prayer.
How to Play:
- Create puzzle pieces representing parts of a prayer (e.g., “Praise,” “Thanksgiving,” “Requests,” “Confession”).
- Have children assemble the pieces in order and create a prayer using each part.
Lesson: This activity helps children understand the structure of prayer and encourages thoughtful communication with God.
13. Pass the Prayer Ball
Objective: Teach children to pray collaboratively.
How to Play:
- Sit in a circle and pass a ball around. When a child catches the ball, they say a short prayer and pass it on.
- You can use prompts to guide them (e.g., “Thank God for something,” “Pray for someone in need”).
Lesson: This activity reinforces the idea that prayer is a shared experience and builds confidence in praying aloud.
14. God’s Mailbox Activity
Objective: Teach children to write their prayers.
How to Play:
- Create a “God’s Mailbox” out of a shoebox or small container.
- Provide paper and pencils for children to write or draw their prayers and “mail” them in the box.
- Periodically read some prayers aloud and discuss how God answers prayers.
Lesson: This activity helps children express their thoughts and feelings to God in a tangible way.
Conclusion
Teaching children to pray doesn’t have to be a solemn or rigid process. By incorporating games and activities, you can create a joyful and engaging environment that encourages a lifelong connection with God. These activities not only make prayer fun but also help children understand its purpose and power in their lives.
Which activity do you think you will choose to teach your child prayer? Let us know in the comments below.
Have a blessed week,
Vanessa Rooney – LDS Mum
