I am enjoying being in sunny, warm California in the middle of February.  I am attending the Children’s Pastor’s Conference in Ontario, California.  While I am here, I am taking the opportunity to visit churches in the area, and learn from their staff & volunteer teams in Children’s Ministry.  Here are some pictures of the Saddleback kids area at the main campus of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest.  Their staff were more than friendly and very willing to share their ideas and information with us.

Saddleback Kids AreaSaddleback Kids Area

They have a separate building for their kids ministry.  Around the outside of the building, they have several areas that they can use as teaching spaces.  The tomb & 3 crosses are a great place to take kids to teach them about the death & resurrection of Jesus.  The stone wall with windows make a great backdrop for just about any story.

Outdoor classroom empty tomb
Each room in the 3 story building, had age appropriate toys, games & interactive spaces where kids could connect before the lesson began.

Saddleback Kids Area Saddleback Kids Area Saddleback Kids Area Saddleback Kids Area

The preschool room had little doors that could be inserted into the doorway of any regular door.

Preschool size door Saddleback Kids Area

The older kids area had an entire wall that was a whiteboard.

Saddleback Kids Area

They did a great job of making each room age appropriate & fun for kids.

Saddleback Kids Area Saddleback Kids AreaSaddleback Kids Area Saddleback Kids Area Saddleback Kids Area Saddleback Kids Area Saddleback Kids Area

They used a WIN system for the volunteers in each room.
W – Welcome – the person responsible for welcoming each child as they enter, & help them get their name tag
I – Integration – helped kids move from the door & get connected with other friends
N – Networking – this volunteer kept everyone on schedule & doing the activities for the service

To see photos of the Saddleback youth area, click here.

To see photos of the kids and youth areas at Sandals Church in California, click here.

Leave a Reply