RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

Kids love to laugh and have fun.  And one of the best ways to engage kids and grab their attention is by telling jokes.

You can tell jokes to kids one-on-one.  You can tell jokes during a group lesson.  You can tell jokes during small group time.

Jokes can play a part in making church a fun place for kids.  Yes, there are times when you need to be serious with kids, but there also should be times when you let kids be kids and you act like a big kid yourself.  Fill the room with giggles, laughter and smiles and you've got a good recipe for connecting with kids and seeing them engage with your ministry.

Here are 25 jokes you can share with kids.  These will get you a smile and maybe even some laughter.

Why is Cinderella bad at soccer?  She is always running away from the ball.

Where do cows go on Friday night?  The mooovies.

Why did the cookie go to the doctor?  He felt crummy.

What does the ocean do when it sees a friend?  It waves.

What has 4 wheels and flies?  Garbage truck.

Why did the boy throw butter out the window?  He wanted to see butterfly.

Why did the teddy-bear not ask for dessert?  He was stuffed.

How do you get an astronaut's baby to stop crying?  You rocket.

What did one plate say to the other plate?  Dinner is on me! 

Why did the kid cross the playground?  To get to the other slide.

What kind of tree fits in your hand?  A palm tree!

What did the nose say to the finger?  Quit picking on me!

Why did the kid bring a ladder to school?  Because she wanted to go to high school.

Why did the banana go to the doctor?  Because it wasn’t peeling well.

What happened when the skunk was on trial?  The judge declared, "Odor in the court, odor in the court!"

Why do porcupines always win the game?  They have the most points.

What day of the week are most twins born on?  Twos-day!

What do you call a sheep with no legs?  A cloud.

What do you call bears with no ears?  B.

What animal is always at a baseball game?  A bat.

What do you call a fly with no wings?  A walk.

What kind of car does Mickey Mouse's wife drive?  A minnie van!

One of the easiest ways to connect with kids is by sharing jokes and riddles.
 
Kids love them.  It can turn a frown into smiles. It can transform grumbles into grins.  It can turn turn complaining into giggling.

Here are 25 joke and riddles for kids.  Grab a few of these and try them out this week.  You'll be amazed at how kids will engage with you.  You can ask them to tell a few they know as well.

What did the left eye say to the right eye?
Between us, something smells!

What did one plate say to the other plate?
Dinner is on me!

Why did the kid cross the playground?
To get to the other slide.

How do you stop an astronaut’s baby from crying?
You rocket!

What kind of tree fits in your hand?
A palm tree!

Why did the cookie go to the hospital?
Because he felt crummy.
 
What falls in winter but never gets hurt?
Snow!

Why can’t Elsa have a balloon?
Because she will let it go.

What did the nose say to the finger?
Quit picking on me!

Why did the kid bring a ladder to school?
Because she wanted to go to high school.

Why couldn't the pony sing a lullaby?
She was a little hoarse.

Why didn’t the skeleton go to the dance?
He had no body to dance with.

What stays in the corner yet can travel all over the world?
A stamp.

What kind of award did the dentist receive?
A little plaque.

Why did Johnny throw the clock out of the window?
Because he wanted to see time fly.

What do you call a fish without an eye?
A fsh.

Why do porcupines always win the game?
They have the most points.

Why can’t Cinderella play soccer?
Because she’s always running away from the ball.

Why did the golfer wear two pairs of pants?
In case he got a hole in one.

What race is never run?
A swimming race.

How does a train eat?
It goes chew chew.

What did the judge say when the skunk walked into the courtroom?
Odor in the court.

Where do polar bears keep their money?
A snow bank.

What has four wheels and flies?
A garbage truck

What do you call cheese that is not yours?
Nacho cheese

Why is a baseball stadium always cool?
It is full of fans

What goes tick-tock and woof-woof?
A watchdog


What are some more jokes or riddles you like to tell kids?  Share them with us in the comment so we can use them as well.  Have a fun, impactful weekend.

Do you ever hear kids laughing when you are taking them through your lesson, service, class, etc?

Laughter is a big, important element in a lesson for kids.  When kids laugh, they are engaged.  When kids laugh, they are enjoying your class.  When kids laugh, you are holding their attention.

In Psalm 122, David said...

"I was GLAD when they said to me, let's go to the house of the Lord." 

Notice he didn't say "sad."  He said "glad."  Church should be a happy, fun place for kids to be.  Yes, there should be a segment in each lesson where kids enter a time of reflective worship and prayer.  The key is balancing the two elements.  Don't have an entire class where the kids must sit still and quiet.  And don't have an entire class where kids just laugh and never get serious.  It takes both. And when this happens, kids will love the lesson and experience spiritual growth. 

If you want to see kids laugh, then use some of the ways below.  Write them into your lessons.

Making animal noises.  Example...

You are talking about the animals coming on the ark.  You mention an animal that came on board such as a cow.  When you say "cow" you make a loud mooing noise.  Then ask the kids to turn to their neighbor and make a cow sound.  

Using silly voices.  Example...

You are talking about David and Goliath.  Make a loud, over the top, obnoxious sound for Goliath.  Then have the kids make up and share their "Goliath voice."

Sudden opera-style outbursts.  Example...You are reading the key verse for the lesson.  Pick a few select words you want to emphasize and suddenly sing them out in a loud, exaggerated voice.  Then have the kids say the verse and emphasize some of the words in a loud opera-style tone.

Make up nonsense words or phrases.  Insert these words into your lesson.  Example...

When Moses was leading the children of Israel through the Red Sea, the Israelites saw the famous, Gugendu-cray, scalely, big mouthed,  hornbill-cross-eyed, crooked finned, see saw fish. Then go back and correct yourself and ask the kids the names of some fish they know about.

Making deliberate mistakes. Example...Jesus did a miracle and feed the 5,000 with 5 pizzas and 2 small turkeys.  As the kids are laughing, have them share the correct answer to your mistake. 

The next time you teach a class, try some of these and make a mental note about how many laughs you got out of the kids.

When kids laugh, you know they are having fun.  And when kids enjoy your class, they will come back. 

Your turn.  How do you make kids laugh in your lesson or service?  Share your ideas with every one in the comment section below.