Kidologists Zone

This is the place to find things written or submitted by the creator of Kidology.org, Karl Bastian.

Use Karl's creativity to your advantage! Browse his ideas, plans, games, and more, and use them as is or adapt them for your ministry!

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Membership Levels:
Guest Starter All Access
Level Title Topic
All Access Impact of Reading!

Help kids understand how much what we read can shape us through this object lesson.

Reading, Bible, God's Word
All Access Listen to the Holy Spirit Game

A fun game that illustrates the need to focus to listen to the Holy Spirit over other "voices" in our lives.

Holy Spirit
All Access Ticket to Heaven Game

A FUN interactive game by Karl Bastian that visually illustrates the eternal impact of sharing your faith. Includes a complete video of the game in action!

The Gospel
All Access Be Different - Be An Alien!

A preteen lesson from Karl Bastian featuring David and Goliath and what it means to be an alien in this world! Small Group hand out included.

The Power of the Gospel
All Access Thankful for Kidology Customers

Karl says "Thanks" while giving a rare glimpse at the history of Kidology.org

History of Kidology
All Access Ultimate Rock, Paper, Scissors

Everyone knows Rock, Paper, Scissors - this large group version is a LOT of fun and teaches teamwork, encouragement and the power of prayer!

Fun Game / Power of Prayer
All Access Pinterest Get to Know You Game

This is a "Get to Know You" game based on the popular website Pinterest.com. It helps a large group of kids or teens quickly find people with common interests.  

Ice Breaker Game w/ Pinterest
All Access Get to Know ME Middle School Version

An easy form for getting to know your Middle Schoolers.

Getting to Know Preteen
All Access Tips for Teaching Preteens (Middle Schoolers)

Karl Bastian provides some practical tips on engaging and keeping the interest of middle schoolers when teaching. (Bonus: Comes with a sample middle school lesson.)

Teaching Preteens
All Access Volunteer Evaluation Worksheet

An evaluation worksheet that can be used to help gain feedback as well as help volunteers evaluate their performance.

Volunteer Evaluation
Free You Don't Have a Recruiting Problem

I hear it often... "I'm having trouble recruiting." May I be so bold as to suggest your problem isn't recruiting. If you focus on something far more important than recruiting, you'll have all the volunteers you'll ever need. You may even have extras! Read on for the secret to building the largest team in the church!

Recruiting, Volunteers
All Access A Philosophy of Children's Ministry

Karl presents his Biblical Philosophy of Children's Ministry, why you should have one, and a Word doc version so you can modify it for your own ministry use.

Philosophy of Ministry
All Access What Happened to the Bible?

A tragedy is happening! The Bible is a rare object in most children's ministries today. What are the steps for action that we need to take?

Using Bibles in Children's Ministry
All Access Don't Blink!

We do not need to be afraid, because Jesus is our helper in times of need. Use this object lesson to communicate this important truth to children!  

Jesus, Fear
All Access Broken Toaster

Using a toaster to demonstrate to children that Christians do not need to be afraid of death!

There Is No Need To Fear Death
All Access The Water Race

Exciting relay that gets all the kids involved as they work as a team to pass the water.

water, relay
Starter Speak! Your Audience Listens!

Originally published in Groups CM Mag Professional Edition, Karl challenges your thinking about church communication from "How can I better get information out?" to "Why aren't they listening?"

Church Communication
All Access Hot Teddy

Here is a simple and fun game you can do at almost any time in your ministry.

Teddy, Fun
All Access The One Thing: Karl Bastian

Karl answers Greg Baird on what is the ONE THING that is most important aside from his walk with God.

Leadership
All Access What Matters Now: Relationships

Karl Bastian, the Kidologist, made this contribution to the book What Matters Now in Children's Ministry.

Relationships
Starter Repentance Game

Teach kids about repentance in a memorable way through this exciting game. Make your lesson visual and active.

Salvation, Repentance
All Access A Kidmin House of Cards?

Do you ever feel like your whole ministry is about to come crashing down? This may encourage you...  

Leadership Perseverance
All Access Gifts Make An Impact!

Help your kids understand gifts and the impact they make when you receive them at the right time.

Gifts, Need
All Access Sins Nailed to a Cross

Encourage the kids in your ministry to repent from their sins.

Salvation, Repentance
Free Review: Spiritual Parenting & BIG GOD!

Karl Bastian reviews Michelle Anthony's books, Spiritual Parenting and The Big God Story.

Spiritual Parenting
All Access Keepin' It Simple

Karl talks about ways to Keep It S.I.M.P.L.E. in your ministry when you are starting to feel overwhelmed (Post includes an MP3)

Leadership Volunteers
All Access Communicating When No One Reads

Ideas for communication with leaders and volunteers

Communication
Free The Hunger Games Titled Wrong?

Maybe The Hunger Games ought to have been titled Mirror Mirror, since in many ways it mirrors our culture today.

Movie Review
Free Movie Review: October Baby

Karl Bastian, the Kidologist, reviews a pre-release of the movie October Baby due in theaters March 23, 2012

Movie Review
All Access Sunday School Testing?

How do you evaluate kids Bible knowledge? Schools test kids, why not at church? People are often surprised to learn that the Kidologist had quarterly testing in his Sunday School. Here he explains why and how.

Testing Kids Bible Knowledge
All Access Stinky Sock Sale

Helps the kids see the importance of how they represent the kingdom through a humorous object lesson.

Evangelism, Good News
All Access Object Lesson: Consequences Are Like Dominoes!

Teach your kids about the consequences of their choices through a fun object lesson using dominoes!

Consequences, Choices
All Access Technology in Ministry, Do We Need It?

How important is technology to our ministries? How important should it be to the decisions we make?

Technology in Ministry
All Access Letters of Encouragement

Encourage missionaries by having your kids write letters to them.

Encouragement, Missions
All Access Written Testimony Book

Instructions on how to create a book of all your kids testimonies.

Testimony, Salvation
All Access What's Your Excuse?

An inspiring story from Karl about at 67 year old that is not making excuses when it comes to ministry.

Excuses, Serving
All Access Skit in a Bag

Fun impromptu acting game that gets your kids outside of their box and thinking creatively.

Gifts, Drama
All Access Disney Models Making the Most of a Bad Situation

Learn to turn something boring into something creative, the way disney does.

Creative, Disney, CPC
All Access Water Head!

Have your kids race with this fun relay as they transfer water.

Relay, Game
All Access Secret Prayer Pals

Get your kids praying for each other using this simple activity.

Prayer
All Access Brothers & Sisters Team-Up!

Cup stacking game that applies to help brothers and sisters learn to respect each other.

Family, Siblings
All Access Backwards Room

A visual way to teach your kids what repentance means.

Salvation, Repentance,
All Access Prediction! Illusion

Use this Prediction Illusion to lead kids into a lesson on the prophetic books of the bible.

Prophecy, Magic
All Access A Book of Books

Show kids that the Bible is many books combined.

Bible,
All Access Share Your Testimony

Help your kids learn about the change becoming a Christian makes by sharing your testimony.

Testimonies,
All Access The Whine Menu

Creative way to visually teach your kids to have a better attitude using a "Whine Menu".

Attitude, Being Positive
All Access Bed Head

Teach your kids about acceptance and get the volunteers involved with this fun activity or theme.

Acceptance, Crazy Hair
All Access Pillow Fight!

Take pillow fighting to a whole new level with these fun rules!

Games, Pillows
All Access Pre-Sliced Banana!

Exciting magic trick where you can peel a banana showing that it is pre-sliced.

Magic, Illusions,
All Access Four Corners Elimination!

Classic indoor/outdoor kids game for kindergarten through middleschool.

Time, Diligence,
Kidology Theorem Book - Right Recruiting Tools - Fishing KidCheck Curls FUNtastic Bible Activity Book 88 Games with 8 Objects Book Andy and the Ants My Awesome Adventure DiscipleTown Unit 12 - How to Meet with God ToyBox Tales Kidology Online Training
Kidology Curriculum

Kids Church Lessons
written by the Kidologist!

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