Kids Ministry Answers

VBS season has a way of sneaking up on you. In this episode, we’re joined by Emily Nguyen to talk through how to prep for VBS in a way that’s thoughtful, strategic, and actually doable.Together, we walk through how to set clear goals for your VBS, simplify your planning, recruit and care for volunteers, and make sure families actually hear about it. We also talk about partnering with parents, other churches, and your community so VBS isn’t just a fun week—but something that sticks.Ask a Question:Have a kids ministry question you want us to talk about? Send it in at KMA.show and your question might be featured in a future episode!Subscribe & Review:Subscribe to Kids Ministry Answers on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen for more practical ideas, creative activities, and ministry tools you can use right away. If this episode was helpful, leave a quick review to help other leaders find the show.Resources Mentioned:What's Cookin'? Free VBS —A 4-day VBS for children's ministry from Grow Curriculum! 

Merry Christmas from the Kids Ministry Answers team! In this short holiday episode, Linda and Jason take a moment to say thank you, wish you a merry Christmas, and share a quick preview of what’s coming up next on the podcast.Whether you’re wrapping up a busy season of ministry or finally getting a chance to rest, we hope you’re able to slow down, celebrate, and enjoy time with the people you love. We’ll be back soon with more practical conversations and ideas for kids ministry leaders.Ask a Question:Have a kids ministry question you want us to talk about? Send it in at KMA.show and your question might be featured in a future episode!Subscribe & Review:Subscribe to Kids Ministry Answers on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen for more practical ideas, creative activities, and ministry tools you can use right away. If this episode was helpful, leave a quick review to help other leaders find the show.

Christmas is a huge moment in kids ministry, and sometimes you just need a few fresh ideas to keep things fun, meaningful, and memorable. In this episode, Linda and Jason share ten creative Christmas ideas from the Stuff You Can Use team—simple, affordable, and totally doable no matter your ministry size. From cozy events to high-energy games to activities that bring families together, this episode is packed with inspiration for the season.Ask a Question:Have a kids ministry question you want us to talk about? Send it in at KMA.show and your question might be featured in a future episode!Subscribe & Review:Subscribe to Kids Ministry Answers on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen for more practical ideas, creative activities, and ministry tools you can use right away. If this episode was helpful, leave a quick review to help other leaders find the show.Resources Mentioned:Christmas Bundles from Grow Kids — Each bundle includes a teaching series, an event, and an original Christmas song from Grow Music. Available at growcurriculum.org

Volunteers are the heart of your kids ministry — but celebrating them consistently (and creatively) can be tough. In this special crossover episode, Elle Campbell, co-founder of Stuff You Can Use, joins Linda and special co-host Damean Easter of the Youth Ministry Answers podcast to share practical and meaningful ways to appreciate your team all year long. You’ll learn how to celebrate volunteers for what they do and for who they are — without breaking your budget or burning yourself out. What We Cover:How to celebrate volunteers annually, monthly, and weeklyCreative ideas that build culture (not just hype)Why “boring but consistent” matters more than big gesturesAsk a Question: Got a question you want answered? Send it in at kma.show — your question might be featured in a future episode!Subscribe & Review: Subscribe to Kids Ministry Answers on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen for children’s ministry ideas, volunteer care tips, and Sunday School strategies you can use right away. If this episode was helpful, leave a quick review to help other leaders find the show.Resources Mentioned:Volunteer Kick-OffVolunteer ToolsVolunteer & Parent Celebrations

Scripture memorization doesn’t have to feel boring or forced. In this episode, Jason and Linda share fun and practical ways to help kids memorize Bible verses — and actually enjoy it. You’ll learn how to make Scripture stick through creativity, repetition, and play. What We Cover:Setting realistic expectations for Scripture memorizationTurning Bible memory into a game kids loveBuilding repetition into your rhythm so Scripture lastsAsk a Question: Got a question you want answered? Send it in at kma.show — your question might be featured in a future episode!Subscribe & Review: Subscribe to Kids Ministry Answers on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen for more kids ministry ideas, Bible teaching strategies, and Sunday School resources you can use right away. If this episode was helpful, leave a quick review to help other leaders find the show.Resources Mentioned:Grow Kids Curriculum — Every series includes sign language videos!

Parents can be the hardest group to engage—and the most important. In this conversation, Linda and Jason share a simple, relational strategy to move from “I hope parents show up” to “we earned their trust.” You’ll get practical ideas you can calendar, repeat, and scale in any context. What We Cover:Why you should host parent-specific eventsHow often to communicate with parentsWhy you should spend time with parents in your ministryAsk a Question: Got a question about parents, volunteers, or teaching? Send it at kma.show—yours might be featured in a future episode!Subscribe & Review: Subscribe to Kids Ministry Answers on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen for practical kids ministry ideas you can use right away. If this helped, a quick review helps other leaders find the show.Resources Mentioned: Parent resources from Grow Curriculum!

In this episode of Kids Ministry Answers, Linda and Jason talk about one of the biggest challenges in kids ministry—keeping kids’ attention. They’ll unpack how to move beyond just entertaining kids and instead help them listen, reflect, and respond to what they’re learning about God.What We Cover:The importance of a structureAdding variety and creativity so kids stay engagedBuilding a weekly rhythm that helps kids listen, reflect, and respondAsk a Question: Got a question about kids ministry, teaching, or volunteers? Send it in at kma.show — your question might be featured in a future episode!Subscribe & Review: Subscribe to Kids Ministry Answers on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen for more kids ministry ideas, Sunday School strategies, and practical tools you can use right away. If this episode was helpful, leave a quick review to help other leaders find the show.Resources Mentioned: Try a Grow Kids Teaching Series for free!

Volunteers are the heart of every kids ministry, but how do you get them energized and inspired for serving? On this episode, Linda and Jason share a few a few tips to get your team excited and ready for what's ahead. What We Cover:Why volunteer excitement matters for your kids ministryHow to plan a Volunteer Kick-Off that builds energy and connectionWhat to include so your team leaves inspired and equipped for the year aheadAsk a Question: Got a question about leading your kids ministry or training volunteers? Visit kma.show to send it in — your question might be featured in an upcoming episode!Subscribe & Review: Subscribe to Kids Ministry Answers on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen for more kids ministry ideas, Sunday School strategies, and practical tools you can use right away. If this episode was helpful, leave a quick review to help other leaders find the show.Resources Mentioned:Volunteer Kick-Off Event from Grow Curriculum