A Place for Kids

Kids Classrooms

Infants

Infants are loved and cared for in this calm and nurturing environment. It is our top priority to provide a clean and safe space for all little ones in our care. Our low child-to-adult ratios allow us to tend to every infant’s needs. Babies are held, rocked, and closely supervised as they begin to sit up and crawl to explore toys and play spaces. Parents are welcome to leave snacks, bottles, sippy cups, and other basic care items to help us best care for each child.

Toddlers

Children advance to this room once they learn to walk! Our walkers enjoy a playful and loving environment, where attentive staff and volunteers build trusting connections with children through hugs, music, interactive play, and snack time. Children are introduced to God through simple songs and Bible stories. Low child-to-adult ratios in this room allow us to provide each child with physical and emotional attention and care.

2 - 3 Year-Olds

Our two and 3-year-olds begin to understand that church is a place for them! Children are introduced to sit-down Bible story time, where they hear simple, repeated biblical truths such as “God made me!” Kids participate in hands-on activities, music, puppetry, movement, and games to engage their senses as they discover and interact with Bible stories and truths.

Pre - K to Kinder

When children turn four, they enter our Pre-K Room. Engaging teachers make Bible stories come alive, and children begin to understand how personal choices, feelings, and experiences relate to God’s big story for the world. Kids participate in multi-sensory and imaginative experiences to help them explore and grow in their faith. Crafts, games, and small groups provide children time to respond to what they learn and build relationships with fun, loving leaders.

1st - 2nd

First and second graders participate in interactive experiences to grow in relationships with each other and with God. Children learn about Jesus as their personal friend and helper and start to explore the Bible as a tool that guides them in their relationships with God, their family, and community. Friendly and well-trained leaders teach and reinforce Bible stories and big ideas through creative lessons, games, hands-on application, and small-group time.

3rd - 5th

Third through fifth graders are met with excitement for a “kids church” experience, where they participate in dynamic, large-group time with worship, drama, crazy games, and engaging Bible teaching. Through a close look at Bible stories, kids develop an understanding of the Bible as both the greatest story on Earth and a resource for life's tough questions. Teachers and volunteers help kids grow in their personal relationship with Jesus, and teach kids how to live out their faith in their own communities. Kids also spend quality time in small groups with grade-level peers, where they read and discuss Scripture and respond with interactive activities and games.

Special Needs Pre-K - 5th Grade Buddy Ministry

Children with special needs are matched with a well-trained "buddy" while their parents attend our gathering. Buddies accompany children in their age-level classroom and provide individualized help, encouragement, and guidance through lessons, activities, and play. We also have a playful and well-equipped special needs classroom dedicated to the specific needs of children who are not able to attend their age-level classroom.

Special Needs 6th - 12th Grade Sidekick Ministry

Special needs middle schoolers and high schoolers participate in traditional, age-level ministries while their parents attend the gathering. Well-trained “sidekicks” accompany teens and offer personalized support and gentle guidance. We also offer a class for teens with special needs on Sunday mornings. Well-trained leaders and “sidekicks” provide care along with developmentally-appropriate curriculum, games, music, fun, and friendship in a welcoming and safe environment.

Please contact us if you are interested in support from our Special Needs Ministry for our Sunday gatherings. Please email Kids@lakesidechurch.com