Diocese of Argyll and The Isles

A Diocese of the Scottish Episcopal Church

Youth & Children’s Work Resources

The resources below were complied by Rev’d Beki Cansdale during her time as Curate of St John’s Cathedral, Oban

(Starting in October and following the church year as you scroll down)

These are offered to you as things that might get you thinking, spark an idea or even provide a whole session that you could use. They are a from a huge variety of sources, so, as with everything when you’re googling away, please do assess what will be appropriate for your specific context.

Please note that all websites will open in THIS browser window.

General Resources

Scotland’s very own Claire Benton-Evans has written great books for kids. Here.

Youthscape exists to provide research, innovative thinking, support and resources for young people and those working with them.

They have free downloadable resources to help young people deal with life’s challenges, including the pandemic.

All Age Worship Resources: A website run by an Anglican Vicar in the UK with 20 years of ministry. Lots of all age services, short talks, puppet scripts, drama scripts, prayer stations.

They also have a few things for helping children think about the pandemic and all that life has been.

Seasonal creative material for children’s ministry to be used at home or in church/groups.

Seasonal resources for all age learning and faith formation. From Virginia Theological Seminary, their resources are designed by lay, clergy, those with practical experience from a whole range of backgrounds and church, and intended for use by a whole variety of denominations.

Youth For Christ – A whole bank of resources on different, relevant issues today, thinking about Christian responses to them, and broadening the conversation. 

Games

Games with a Purpose by Martin Saunders

Games that have a deeper meaning and help you to link to teaching.

50 No-Prep Youth Group Games (blogpost)

Few resources required, no prep, and some games require just 3 people!

Games for Small Groups

Planned Games and Activities

Requires some prep, great if you have more time to plan.

Games for Online Meetings

101 Fun Ideas for Youth Groups

For if you’re really stuck and you just need something to get you inspired. There are literally 101 different ideas in this PDF. Well worth a look!

Games for Online Meetings with Kids

Books

God’s Daughter’s by Hannah Fytche

Great for working with teen girls, engaging with many challenges they face in life and at school.

 

 

Halloween/All Souls & All Saints

Learning

What is Halloween?

Great wee YouTube video explanation of what Halloween is in relation to church, Jesus and light.

History & Ideas & More Resources

A handy wee PDF with some history, ideas and further reading/resources.

More background information from BBC

Party / Group Gathering

Light Party – Halloween alternative. Resources and ideas from SU.

Halloween Themed Snack Ideas

Halloween / Light & Dark Games

Structured Services/Meetings

All Age Worship/Activity Ideas

Some fun, creative ideas for all age worship.

Printable Type Resources

Word searches, crosswords, prayers etc on Etsy. Great for the back of church in case any kids come.

Service/Meeting Ideas from Roots

Presented as a service, there are plenty of ideas for prayers, responses, songs and activities that could be used in a whole host of informal meetings with kids, ecumenical services, messy church, services of the word etc.

Session from BRF around light (Bible Reading Foundation, Christian Charity)

https://www.brf.org.uk/product/halloween-light-and-dark/.

Session from BRF around Saints

https://www.brf.org.uk/product/saints-alive/

All Saints Day Activity Ideas

From Virginia Theological Seminary.

Books

Lectionary for readings and for looking up Scottish saints that can be learnt about and used in activities.

Celebrating the Saints – lots of information on Saints.

Stories of the Saints – A beautifully illustrated book with Saints Stories.

You can also find some of the saints stories read aloud on YouTube.

A Friend in the Dark by Alison Mitchell

Perhaps helpful for having at the back of church, just in case. It looks at Jesus as light and helps kids afraid of the dark.

The Bumper Book of Resources

Activities and ideas from a wide range of sources.

Story Assemblies of 24 Saints by Heather Butler

 

Bonfire Night

Primary resources, facts, figures.

Lots of ideas, links and more resources. Primary.

Bonfire Night Craft Ideas

BBC Food Bonfire Night Recipes

Bonfire Night Party Ideas Teens

Outdoor Bonfire Night Games

Campfire Idea Teens

Pinterest Search for Bonfire Night Baking

 

 

Remembrance Sunday

BBC Teaching Resource – Good for stories, structured ideas, themes.

Good For Early Years Resources

Great for assembly ideas.

All age service ideas.

Ideas for structured times and using spaces.

 

 

New Year

Structured services/meetings

Session plan for looking at the New Year for youth groups from Ministry to Youth.

Session plan for pre-teens for the New Year from Ministry to Youth.

All about making meaningful resolutions in the new year, discussion and bible study idea for teens.

Some reflections on looking to God in the New Year.

 

 

Advent and Christmas

Learning / Schools

P6 & P7 resources from SU Scotland.

Party Group/Gathering

A blog from a provisional deacon in the United Methodist Church who is a mum and youth group leader. Great for ideas for games, activities, themes.

Advent activities for families, to be done together or at home. Same blog as above.

Youth group Christmas game ideas.

More youth group game ideas, a whole range from competitive to team to challenging.

Youth group games that are linked to bible passages and therefore learning points.

A group of experienced youth workers from America put resources together for youth leaders. Designed to be broad theologically and accessible/adaptable for all denominations.

182 Christmas Trivia Questions and Answers for fun.

Structured Services/Meetings 

All Age Worship from Services to short talks, puppet/drama scripts/ prayer stations and more.

From Caritas (Australian Charity tackling poverty at home and abroad) – Youth resources for 4 weeks of advent.

Advent ideas: things to think about, meditate on, do and read.

Advent resources, reflections, challenges and prayers from the Archbishop of York’s Youth Trust.

Family Friendly Resources from Virginia Theological Seminary.

Activity/Craft Ideas

Mission Together, the children’s branch of Missio – the Catholic Church’s Official Children’s Charity for overseas mission. They have some good, free to download craft resources for advent.

YouthESource, from the Lutheran Church – Advent bible studies/devotions/skits/dramas.

A group of christians associated with the Reformed Church in America who produce Jesus centred resources, activities and ideas for families and children.

 


Epiphany

Structured services/meetings

Great for primary aged kids in Sunday school.

Ministry-To-Children – free resources, colouring, kids talks, lesson ideas from an organisation based in the US. A number of contributors to the site, all details in their ‘about’, section.

Ideas for services, how to include kids, all age. Building Faith, from Virginia Theological Seminary.

Lectionary based short talks, all age worship ideas. All Age Worship Resources: A website run by an Anglican Vicar in the UK with 20 years of ministry.

Ideas for a session about Epiphany, useful for Sunday School ideas or all age worship. Faithward, broadly Reformed Church in America with the hope that it is diverse enough for more.

Activity/Craft Ideas

A blog by Sara, an American writer living in the Netherlands who is part of a Methodist church. Includes information on different epiphany traditions, crafts and music. For families/congregations at home or at church. A blog by Sara, an American writer living in the Netherlands who is part of a Methodist church.

Epiphany crafts, activities and themed snacks for younger children on a blog by Diana Kennedy, a devout Catholic and home school mum.

A PDF of LOADS of resources, services ideas, crafts, music, sermons, talks, lots of links to take your thinking/idea gathering further. From Salisbury Diocese.

Resources for use by families at home, a short service that can be followed and ideas for activities. A blog that is kept up to date. Find and follow on social media too if you wish.

Epiphany Crafts and Recipes on Pinterest.

Learning/Schools

A lesson plan from a Catholic Catechism teacher for teaching about Epiphany, ideas for activities, videos of explanation, may be useful for thinking about Sunday school or youth group sessions.

 

 

Baptism of Jesus

Structured Services/Meetings

A lesson plan for a Sunday school about the Baptism of Jesus with an add on for older kids.

By Sharon Chatwell, an American who has practical experience of many years of running kids and youth work. You can read more about her:

Lesson resource:

Short talk from All Age Worship Resources for Baptism of Christ.

Ideas on how you can talk to kids about baptism from Building Faith.

A reflection on the Baptism of Jesus.

All their related articles about baptism.

Sunday school lesson on the Baptism of Jesus from Ministry to Children.

Activities/Crafts

Activities and a short video service for use at home or at church from Flame.

Crafts for Baptism of Jesus from Ministry to Children.

Baptism of Jesus pop up dove craft for kids.

Baptism of Jesus ideas on Pinterest.

Baptism of Jesus craft from blogger, writer, storyteller Rachel Ball.

 

 


Lent

A lenten playlist.

Structured Services/Meetings

Ash Wednesday kids ideas.

Printable lent booklet for families.

A page of ideas.

Youth group session plan on lent.

Lent all age service idea – into the wilderness.

A whole range of ideas including lots of short talks for each Sunday of lent following the lectionary (do check with year (A, B or C) it is for!).

Lent ideas for kids sessions.

Activities/Crafts

Food oriented lent activity (requires an oven).

Puppet script for lent (talks about temptation and stealing).

The cost of sin puppet script.

Lent prayer bag ideas for families.

“EggLent Calendar” to help families engage with lent.

Lent (and Easter) ‘at home’ kits. Might have some good resources and useful explanations that could work with kids at church or at home.

7 Godly Play story ideas for Lent.

60 Lent crafts and activities.

Creative lent ideas for kids from a school chaplain.

A huge list of lent ideas for kids.

Read more about Godspace.

Learning/Schools

Some thoughts of what Ash Wednesday is.

What teens say about Lent (article).

Guiding teens through Lent (article).

Helping to prepare children for Lent (article).

“Lent for Practical Christians” (article).

What is Lent? Explanation by BBC Bitesize.

 

 

Holy Week & Easter Sunday

Structured Services/Meetings

A whole load of Holy Week ideas for kids.

Whole ‘lessons’ plans for youth and children throughout Holy Week.

Youth group session ideas for Easter.

Thoughts on making an impact at Easter in youth groups.

Multi-sensory Easter Talk & Activity.

Activities/Crafts

Palm Sunday Game.

Easter Day activities and crafts.

Prayer stations for Easter ideas.

Easter skits for children and youth

Perhaps good for church or in schools.

Youth group game: Palm Sunday.

Youth group game: Easter.

Holy Week Resurrection Eggs with kids.

Easter activity ideas for kids.

Resource bag ideas for families to use in Holy Week.

 

Ascension

Structured Services/Meetings

All age service ideas for Ascension.

Ascension Service ideas from Roots with lots of activities and games.

Ideas about helping children connect Easter and Ascension in a session.

Session ideas for children on the Ascension, including a craft activity video.

An article on the Ascension through the eyes of a child.

Ascension day activities within a session for kids from BRF.

A collection of resources on Ascension from BRF.

Activities and Crafts

Ascension Bubbles – activity and prayer for younger children.

Ascension Spiral Prayers for children.

Reflections on Ascension day for teens.

Ideas for Ascension day at home, can be adapted for groups at church or outdoor activities.

Learning/Schools

Some facts about Ascension and historical practices from different countries.

Ascension Day assembly ideas from BRF.