Reaching families with children is a wonderful opportunity to see your church grow. Summer is one of the best times for your church to reach out to families with kids actively. Even though the tendency can be for churches to “pull back,” we recommend you “step out” and dream BIG for reaching kids.
This summer, families and kids are looking for opportunities to build community and connections. Your church is primed and ready to create experiences that facilitate this! Here are some ideas to get you inspired – I bet you have some great ones that will work in your context!
Do a Day Camp for three days, one week, or more! You don’t need to call it VBS (most people don’t know what that means anyway), and you can get creative on how/when you offer it:
You can do this in the evenings so that working volunteers can help.
You can get a sports/art/cooking expert from your church to lead some sessions.
You can host your Day Camp in a park.
You can have the “finale” for your Day Camp on a Sunday and invite everyone and their grandparents to “Day Camp Sunday,” where you’ll give out awards, have a BBQ and offer a time for new people to connect.
Host outdoor or indoor family movie events. Show a movie on the side of your building (like a drive-in) or in your auditorium. Have free popcorn and pop and invite the community through social media community pages. Make sure you have a licence.
Create a drop-in parent/tot/preschool weekly program. Put out some toys, tables, and coffee and invite the community for a parent and tot drop-in program once a week. Pick a time that works for naps and get hosts from your church to come and connect with parents.
Do “pop-up” events at parks with a short, engaging gospel presentation and hand out Freezies for kids. Take a portion of a kids program that you already do (song, skits, games, puppets) and do a 20-minute presentation at a park. Let your church kids know where to invite their friends and make a quick and fun party!
Do an amazing race or scavenger hunt for families. Set up stations around your community and invite families to come and participate in an “amazing race” where they have to complete challenges at every station. Have a host at every station that intends to build connections with the families that participate.
Have a team of families in your church help clean up a park. Gather 3-5 families in your church and have them clean up a local park. Take pictures and post them to your social media page and share them. Spread goodness and let people know that families can make a difference.
Partner with your community to pull off Canada Day celebrations or other community celebrations. Discover what community events are happening for families this summer (Canada Day, Bike Safety, Family Carnivals etc.) and see how your church can help make that event even better. Offer to set up a station (mini put, carnival games, bouncy house) that you can man with your volunteers. Seek to build a connection with families that come.
What are you doing for kids and families this summer? If you would like any resources or ideas, don’t hesitate to contact me at kathy@abnwt.com.
Kathy has worked with kids and families for over 30 years in church settings (small, medium, cross-cultural, large, and mega-sized churches), school settings, and early childhood settings. She is presently the Children and Family Ministries specialist at the ABNWT District Resource Centre. She thrives on collaborating and coaching leaders, helping them thrive.