There are twelve weeks until Christmas and a lot needs to happen between now and then when you are a leader or volunteer in Kid’s Ministry!  Christmas is important because it can be a key point of entry for families into the Church.  However, Kid’s Ministry leaders and volunteers have families too, so planning and preparation is vital if you want everyone to have time to enjoy celebrating the reason for the season:  Jesus!

Confirm Dates

If you haven’t already now is the time to meet with your Church leaders and confirm dates for Christmas events.  Every department in the Church will probably have some form of Christmas program or breakup and there will also be events that include the whole congregation.  Remember some volunteers and families leave on holidays so find out now who is available to assist you with the Christmas programs.  

Christmas Gifts for the Kids

If your Church likes to award every child with a book for Christmas, place your orders as soon as you can.  Christian Book stores stock up but I have found they can sell out fast and you don’t have as large a selection if you leave it too late.  If you cannot afford books use booklets, tracts or comics which are sold in bulk at a cheaper price.  If you’d like to add a novelty toy buy the Christmas stickers from the Christian Bookstore and stick them on each item bought at a cheap shop.  Do the same with a small bag of lollies.  Pop the candy canes and treats into a cellophane bag, add a sticker and tie them off with a Christmas ribbon.  Invite your volunteers to a social evening and work on gift wrapping together.    

Drama, Dance and Song

Is your Kid’s Church required to perform in Big Church?  If it’s a couple of Christmas carols or songs choose your music and create the choreography. Decide if the children need to wear costumes or specific coloured clothes like red or green t-shirts and get the word out to parents through a newsletter, social media and face-to-face.  Schedule a practice every week as part of your program so that by performance time the children know the lyrics and actions by heart.  Remember, preparation builds everyone’s confidence!   

Or do you need a skit or play?  This is a bigger commitment!  You may need to hold auditions and factor in extra rehearsal time including dress rehearsals on the Big Church stage.  Here are some Christmas plays from the Cooee Kid’s Ministry website. 

Break Every Chain:https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Break-Every-Chain-Christmas-Play.pdf

An Aussie Shepherd’s Christmas: https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/An-Aussie-Shepherds-Christmas.pdf

Animal Crackers: https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Animal-Crackers.pdf

Even the simplest production requires organisation and preparation so it’s time for a to-do list! 

• Scripts (selected, proofed and printed)
• Auditions
• Rehearsal schedule
• Costumes/hair/makeup
• Music
• Technology and Sound
• Lighting
• Advertising (newsletters/posters/social media)
• Programs (collect information, produce, print and fold)
• Props/stage design and sets/stage hands
• Notify the Car Park team about the dates (there will be visitors)

Put out a call for volunteers who don’t normally work in Kid’s Ministry but enjoy theatre.  You may like to be the Director but if you can assign the jobs of Production Manager, Stage Manager, Music Director and Public Relations Manager to others they will keep you from being overwhelmed. 

Christmas in Kid’s Church:

How are you going to decorate your Kid’s Church space this year?  A lot will depend on the curriculum you are using.  The curriculum may use a theme such as travel, weather or food.  Now is the time to get festive and decorate your Kid’s Church space from the sign-in desk to each classroom.  You may like to include crafts that are decorations that can be added to the spaces each week.  Choose Christmas carols and songs (as well as the ones you may have to perform).   Make lists of all the supplies you will need for crafts and games and order them now. 

Kid’s Church Christmas Party

Finally, it’s time for the Christmas Party.  Here’s what you’ll need:

• Christmas Carols and Songs (with lyric videos)
• Christmas story with visual aids (Book/Bible Lesson/Skit)
• Gifts   
• Christmas Games
• Christmas Craft
• Christmas Food

Thank You Gifts for Volunteers

Remember to thank your leaders and volunteers sincerely.  I often went to Kmart and bought multiple of the same Christmas decorations and turned them into a gift.  For example, one year there were golden treasure chest tree ornaments.  Each treasure chest was half open.  I bought silver and gold papered chocolates, toffees and coins and filled each chest.  I attached a tag that told the volunteers they were ‘treasured’.  And I added the Scripture from Matthew 6:19-21.  The treasure chests looked stunning!  It was cost-efficient and the volunteers were so appreciative.

Evaluate

After every Christmas event evaluate how it went.  Simple dot points will do.  Making a note of what worked and what didn’t will help you the following year.  Now, that’s what I call preparation! 

Christmas in Kid’s Church is a busy time for everyone, especially for leaders.  Good leaders prepare.  Christmas is no time to fly by the seat of your pants!  Preparation brings consistency and confidence.  It also shows respect for your volunteers and their families.  So prepare now.  It’s worth it!