18 Bible Games for Kids (for Sabbath School, Sunday School and Home)
Great Bible games for kids are short, active and repeat the story you just taught. Try Noah's Animal Pairs, Jonah Says, Jericho Walls, memory-verse pass-the-ball, Bible Pictionary, a sword drill, and a quick live quiz with big colourful answers. Keep each game under 10 minutes and end by asking what the story teaches about God.
Children learn best when they move, laugh and repeat. A good Bible game turns the story you just told into something they will remember on the drive home, and maybe tell their parents about.
These 18 games are grouped by what you need them for. Most need nothing but a little space, and they work in a Sabbath school or Sunday school class, a children's church, a VBS rotation or at home.
Games for younger kids (ages 4–7)
1. Noah's animal pairs
Whisper an animal to each child (two of each). Everyone acts and makes their animal's sound until they find their partner, then "board the ark" in a corner. Story: Genesis 7:8-9.
2. Jonah says
Like "Simon says", but only obey when you hear "Jonah says". Talk afterwards about how Jonah did not obey at first (Jonah 1:3) and how God gave him a second chance (Jonah 3:1).
3. Walls of Jericho
Build a wall of cardboard boxes or cushions. Kids march around it seven times quietly, then shout together and knock it down. Story: Joshua 6:15-20.
4. Lost sheep hide-and-seek
Hide a toy sheep. Children search while you say "warmer" or "colder". When it is found, everyone celebrates. Story: Luke 15:4-7.
5. Feed the five thousand
Kids toss bean bags (the "loaves and fish") into baskets. Count how many baskets are full, then read how there were twelve baskets left over (John 6:13).
Review games for any class (ages 6–12)
6. Live Bible quiz
Older children love answering on a tablet or a parent's phone, with big coloured shapes and music. Put 10 questions on the screen with MyBibleQuiz and let them race. Start with our 40 easy Bible quiz questions for kids.
7. Bible Pictionary
Draw a scene from today's story on the board. The first child to guess draws next.
8. Hot seat
One child sits facing the class with their back to the board. Write a Bible character's name on the board; the class gives clues until they guess.
9. Stand up, sit down
Read true or false statements about the story. Stand for true, sit for false. Our true or false Bible questions include plenty of easy ones.
10. Story sequence race
Give teams picture cards from the story out of order. First to put them in the right order wins.
11. Bible bowling
Write a question on each of ten plastic bottles. Children bowl; they must answer the question on each pin they knock down.
Memory verse games
12. Pass the ball
Pass a ball around the circle; each child says the next word of the memory verse. Drop the ball or miss the word and the circle starts again.
13. Disappearing words
Write the verse on the board. Read it together, then erase one word. Read again, erase another, until the children can say it with an empty board.
14. Verse scramble
Write each word of the verse on a card. Teams race to put the cards in order.
15. Echo and whisper
Say the verse in a whisper, a loud voice, a squeaky voice, a slow voice. Silly voices make repetition fun.
Bible skills games (ages 8–12)
16. Sword drill
Children hold closed Bibles. Call a book name; first to find it stands and reads the first verse. Start with easy books (Genesis, Psalms, John) and work up.
17. Books of the Bible hopscotch
Chalk or tape a hopscotch with book names. Children say each book as they hop.
18. Who am I? for kids
Three simple clues: "I had a coat of many colours. My brothers were jealous of me. I ended up in Egypt." (Joseph.) Find more in our Who Am I Bible quiz.
Tips for leading Bible games with children
- Teach first, play second. Games review a story the children already know.
- Short and active. Under ten minutes per game, then sit for a moment.
- Everyone wins something. Praise good tries and team spirit, not only right answers.
- Close with the point. Ask, "What does this story show us about God?"
For family-style games where adults and children play together, see our family Bible game night guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest Bible game for preschoolers?
Noah's animal pairs and Jonah Says need no materials and only one simple rule. Pair them with a one-sentence version of the story.
How do I review a Bible lesson with a game?
Write five to ten questions about the story you just taught and play them as a quiz, a Stand Up Sit Down game, or Bible bowling. Repeating the key facts in a game helps children remember.
Can kids play an online Bible quiz without an account?
Yes. On MyBibleQuiz, players only enter a game PIN and a nickname in the browser, so children never need an account or an email address. A teacher or parent hosts the game on the big screen.