Single-Use Busy Bags

In this time of social distancing and Coronavirus concerns, many churches are including children in the main service instead of offering separate children’s programming. Try these single-use busy bags (aka activity bags) for a safe way to keep kids engaged and occupied! You could also make these and drop them off at kids’ houses as a fun surprise.

Normally, our church has reusable busy bags that kids can using during church services. They are canvas bags that stay at church and include items like faith-based books, dry erase boards (a big hit!) and small activities (like craft sticks with velcro for building). You can see an overview of the reusable busy bags here and more details about contents here. However, amid the Coronavirus we are not using these so that germs aren’t spread as supplies are re-used. Instead, we’re making bags that kids can use during the church service then take home.

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I’m planning to use gallon sized ziploc bags for the bag itself. I’m going to make 1 bag per kid for each week that we have families together in service.

Take-Home Busy Bag Ideas:

• PENCIL & ERASERS: Older and younger kids will appreciate having a pencil, and who doesn’t love fun shaped erasers?!

• CRAYONS: I’m planning to put 4 crayons per bag. Most families have more than one kid, so kids can trade colors. Here are the most cost-effective pre-made 4 packs and 24 count boxes of crayons you can split up yourself. I’d put the crayons loose in the gallon ziploc bag.

• SERMON NOTES: Here’s a great printable to help kids stay engaged in the actual service.

• COLORING SHEETS: There are free printable, faith-based coloring sheets all over the internet. I’m not creating my own for now – I’m spending my time compiling the busy bags. I’m going to print coloring sheets at 1/2 page each and cut sheets with a paper cutter. Your Sunday School/Children’s Church curriculum may include coloring or activity pages that you could put in the busy bags!

• WIKKI STIX: If you haven’t played with WikkiStix, you should try them! These wax-covered yarn sticks are fun to build with and mess-free. 🙂 Bonus: they come in pre-packaged small kits so you just drop one pack in each busy bag!

• CRAFT STICKS: You can get these craft sticks in colored wood or unfinished wood. Put several in the busy bag by themselves that kids can build with, or put one word of a bible verse on each stick to make a puzzle.

• LACING CARDS: Lacing cards are a fun, quiet activity for kids of all ages! Oriental Trading has these faith-based lacing cards or these Rocky Railway VBS themed lacing cards. Trying to save money? Print any image on cardstock paper, hole punch around the edges and add a piece of yarn for a DIY lacing card.

• PIPE CLEANERS: You could either include these full-sized pipe cleaners or cut them in half for smaller manipulatives.

• SNACKS: If you’re willing to add snacks to the bag, look for single portions. Try animal crackers or fruit snacks (be mindful of any allergies your kiddos have). I’m not planning to put snacks in our bags though.

Things to avoid: Although super fun, it would probably be wise to skip bubbles (or any other liquid), balls of any kid (they roll under the pews right down to the pastor – just ask my own kids), anything that makes noise, slime of any kind and candy. 🙂

What else are you including in single-use busy bags? I’d love to hear your ideas!

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