4. Gather Kids.
These brief summer outreach ideas are great for connecting kids inside and outside your church.
Flip for fun Fridays. Provide a weekly opportunity for kids to attend a field trip with your church. Venture to places such as the zoo, beach, or museum. Place kids in small groups led by an adult or teenager.
Fun days let kids hang out together and build relationships with each other over the summer in a different environment. These summer outreach ideas also provide an easy, convenient way for kids who are already plugged into your ministry to invite unchurched friends. Challenge kids to reach out by providing fliers with all the details.
Start summer clubs. Book or movie clubs provide another window for kids to peer into your church over the summer. Before school dismisses, distribute fliers that advertise your club—when and where it’ll meet and what’ll be provided. Public schools typically allow churches to advertise a program that enhances what the school is trying to achieve (such as literacy).
For book clubs, partner with your church library or a Christian bookstore to provide good books for a variety of reading levels. Have weekly club meetings to discuss a book, and provide activities that complement what kids are reading. Choose books that teach good values and life lessons to enhance lively discussions.
A wholesome movie in an air-conditioned room is always a treat on a hot summer day. Provide popcorn and drinks, and allow discussion time afterward. For preteens, try a “dive-in” movie, showing the movie at a pool after dark. Kids can float to keep cool as they watch the movie projected on a big screen.
5. Remember the Small Fries.
Preschoolers often get left out of summer outreach ideas, even though parents look diligently for something worthwhile and structured. Include preschoolers in VBS and day camp programs, but provide separate and age-appropriate programming for them. If you plan field trips for this age group, require parent participation because car seats are an issue. Use these summer outreach ideas geared toward preschoolers and their families.
Organize parent-child play groups. Help parents and kids get together by planning playgroups at parks. Organize them by neighborhood so kids get to know others who will attend their elementary school. Distribute fliers in the neighborhood and provide information about what your church offers kids.
Offer swimming lessons. If some church members are lifeguard-certified, ask them to help you provide free swimming lessons at a pool. Have your church sponsor the lessons by renting the pool for one or two hours for several weeks.
These are great summer outreach ideas to families strapped for extra cash. Plus, you show that your church cares about children’s safety.
Hold a kindergarten round-up. Before school begins, have a party for preschoolers who are entering kindergarten. Set up stations for kids to meet others who will be attending their school. Give away pencils or backpack ID tags printed with your church name and phone number. Provide parents with highlights about your upcoming programs.
Enjoy all these summer outreach ideas!
This article about children’s ministry summer outreach ideas originally appeared here.
