Parenting is a circus even on a good day, and fitting meaningful prayer into the mix? Sometimes that feels like juggling dinner, bath, bedtime, and a live goat.
But prayer doesn’t have to be stiff, somber, or another box to tick off before collapsing on the sofa.
Here are 40 playful, creative, and actually doable ideas to help your kids connect with God—without requiring a theology degree or endless time.
1. Prayer Popsicle Sticks
Crafting experts everywhere swear by popsicle sticks for everything from chore charts to rocket ships.
Write simple prayer topics on sticks—family, friends, pets, even the neighbor’s noisy rooster. Let your child draw one or two at bedtime, then pray about those together.
2. Gratitude Jars
Find an old jam jar, some paper scraps, and a pen. Each night, jot down something you’re grateful for and pop it in. Reading the notes aloud as a prayer of thanks makes gratitude feel tangible (and slightly magical).
3. Prayer Walks
A walk around the block turns into a chance to thank God for trees, houses, and even that mysterious gnome in Mrs. Patel’s garden.
Kids can call out prayers as they spot things that catch their eye.
4. Prayer Stones
Decorate a handful of smooth stones with sharpies or paint. Each stone can represent a relative or a big feeling.
When a child feels anxious or happy, holding the matching stone can prompt a quick prayer.
5. Silly-Sounding Prayers
Let kids invent the silliest-sounding prayer they can muster. Praying with a robot voice, opera singer warble, or even with your tongue out (yes, it happens) keeps things light and memorable.
6. Prayer Bingo
Draw up a bingo card with prayer requests—grandma, teachers, neighbors, world peace, forgiveness. Mark off each square when you pray about it.
Prize for a full row? Extra bedtime story. Or a biscuit. You pick.
7. Draw Your Prayers
If words are tricky, let your child draw a picture for God—something or someone on their heart. Artistic masterpieces not required.
8. Prayer Calendar
Hang a calendar in the kitchen and add a daily prayer topic. Siblings in need of civility? Mark “pray for kindness” on Wednesday. (You might want to circle that one a few times.)
9. Secret Code Prayers
Send kids on a secret mission: write or whisper a prayer to God in their own made-up code. Even if you can’t decode it, God can.
10. Prayer Chains
Paper chains aren’t just for Christmas. Each link can be a request or praise. Breaking the chain at bedtime means praying for what’s written on that night’s link.
11. Prayer Journals
Older kids may like jotting down their thoughts in a special notebook. There’s no right or wrong way—scribbles, bullet points, or even grumpy letters to God all count.
12. Family Prayer Jar
Pop everyone’s prayer requests into a communal jar at breakfast. Pull one out at random each night for a spontaneous family prayer.
13. Prayers in Song
Can’t carry a tune? Not a problem. Make up silly tunes or borrow familiar melodies (Twinkle Twinkle, anyone?) and sing your prayers together.
14. Nature Prayers
Sprawl out on the grass or sit beneath a window. Thank God for the clouds, bugs, or whatever creature just flew into your living room. Nature has a way of inspiring wonder—and some very interesting prayers.
15. Role Play Prayers
Kids adore a bit of drama. Let them pretend to be a Bible character, a superhero, or even the family pet as they pray about the day’s adventures.
16. Highs and Lows
At dinner, ask everyone to share a “high” and a “low” from their day, then offer a short prayer for both. No pressure to turn it into a therapy session—sometimes, the high is just “we had pizza.”
17. Mirror Prayers
Stand in front of the mirror and say a prayer together. It might feel awkward but watching themselves pray can help kids understand God loves them just as they are.
18. Thankful Hands
Trace your child’s hand on paper. Write something they’re grateful for on each finger, then pray through them, one finger at a time.
19. Sticky Note Reminders
Stick prayer prompts on the fridge, bathroom mirror, or homework folder. “Pray for courage today” is just as effective as “Don’t forget your lunch.”
20. Blessing Goodnight
As you tuck them in, say a blessing over your child. “May you know how loved you are” can be enough. Some families use ancient blessings—others make up their own.
21. Prayer Scavenger Hunts
Hide items around the house (a toy car, photo, spoon). Each one represents a prayer topic. When kids find an item, pause to pray.
22. Emoji Prayers
Use emojis to spark prayer. A heart for love, a crying face for someone who’s sad, a sunshine for thankfulness. Modern problems require modern solutions.
23. Prayer Postcards
Mail a cheerful prayer postcard to a friend or relative. Kids can decorate the card and dictate a short prayer for someone else’s mailbox.
24. Candle Prayers
Light a candle during prayer time. The gentle flicker can help little ones focus, and you can talk about God’s light shining in the world. (Supervise closely, unless you fancy redecorating.)
25. Prayer Beads
String together beads, each color representing a prayer theme (family, school, worries). Run fingers over the beads and say a prayer for each one.
26. Worry Box
Decorate a box and encourage kids to write down worries and slip them inside. Pray together over the box’s contents, then “give” the worries to God.
27. Quiet Time
Even the most high-energy child has a moment’s pause—usually when snacks appear. Use that calm to invite a deep breath and a quick prayer.
28. Thank You Cards
Create simple cards for people the family wants to thank: the postie, teacher, or a friend. Praying for each recipient before handing them out adds an extra touch.
29. Prayer Puzzles
Draw a picture or write a prayer on cardstock, then cut it into puzzle pieces. As your child puts the puzzle together, say a prayer for each piece.
30. Prayer Balloons
Write prayers on balloons (deflated, please). As you blow them up, pray together. When they pop—because they always do—that’s a chance to say, “God hears even the loudest prayers.”
31. Bedtime Blessings Song
Invent a family lullaby that doubles as a prayer. No Grammy awards required; sincerity is all that matters.
32. Hand-to-Hand Prayers
Hold hands in a circle, and each person offers a line of prayer. Siblings may giggle, but the sense of connection is real.
33. Thankful Walks
Stomp around the house or garden, naming things you’re thankful for as you go. Bonus points for dramatic gestures and interpretive dance.
34. Prayer Collages
Cut out magazine pictures or photos and glue them on a poster board. Each image can prompt a simple prayer.
35. Prayer Buddies
Pair siblings or friends and swap prayer requests for the week. It’s like a pen pal, but holier.
36. Mealtime Prayers With a Twist
Invite kids to invent their own pre-meal prayer—rhymes, jokes, or wild sound effects encouraged.
37. Pray for the News
Pick a news story (age-appropriate, naturally) and pray together for people in that situation. Empathy grows with practice.
38. Stuffed Animal Circle
Arrange a ring of your child’s beloved teddies and have each one “say” a prayer. If nothing else, the sight is priceless.
39. Blessing Backpacks
Before school, slip a little note into your child’s bag with a prayer for their day. Even a sticker with a smiley face can count.
40. Starry Night Prayers
Gaze up at the sky together and thank God for the stars—and for whoever didn’t forget to take the bins out.
Raising Kids Who Pray—And Laugh Along the Way
Prayer with children doesn’t require Pinterest-worthy crafts or whispered solemnity.
It thrives in the everyday mess, in giggles, and in the moments you least expect—like when you’re all crammed in the car, halfway to somewhere, and someone pipes up to pray for the dog.
However you choose to help your child pray, remember that small rituals build deep roots.
Faith, much like parenting itself, is rarely perfect, often hilarious, and always better when shared.
