Family devotions · 10 days · ages 3–7
Family Devotions for Young Kids 10 Bible stories for ages 3–7
These family devotions for young kids take ten of the Bible’s best-loved stories, from creation and Noah’s rainbow to Daniel, the birth of Jesus and the empty tomb. Each one is short enough for a preschooler’s attention span: a few verses from the Bible, a simple talk to read aloud, two or three questions, something to do with your hands and a one-line prayer your child can repeat after you.
They work at bedtime, at breakfast or on the sofa, in about ten minutes. Read the verses straight from the Bible so your child hears God’s word itself, then use the talk to explain it. Tick off each day and the page remembers where you are; when you finish, start again, because little ones love to hear the same stories many times.
Each day takes about 10 minutes
- Read the verses aloud. Talk: read the short paragraph, or say it in your own words.
- Ask the questions and let everyone answer, youngest first. Do the activity if you have time.
- Pray the prayer together, then add your own. Tick the day off; this page remembers where you are.
-
Day 1
God made everything
Read
So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth.” Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every seed-bearing plant on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit contains seed. They will be yours for food. And to every beast of the earth and every bird of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth—everything that has the breath of life in it—I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. And God looked upon all that He had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.
— Genesis 1:27-31 (BSB)Talk
In the beginning God made everything: the sun, the moon and the stars, the oceans and the fish, the birds and all the animals. Then God made people, a man and a woman, in His own image. That means He made us to know Him and love Him. When God looked at everything He had made, it was very good. God made you, and He loves you.
Ask
- Who made the world?
- What did God say about everything He made (v. 31)?
- What is your favorite thing God made?
Do
Go outside or look out of a window. Take turns naming things God made. Then each person draws their favorite one.
Pray
Dear God, thank You for making the world and everything in it. Thank You for making me. Amen.
-
Day 2
God’s rainbow promise
Read
And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between Me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set My rainbow in the clouds, and it will be a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. Whenever I form clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember My covenant between Me and you and every living creature of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. And whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of every kind that is on the earth.”
— Genesis 9:12-16 (BSB)Talk
Long ago the world was full of people doing wrong, but Noah loved God. God told Noah to build a big boat called an ark. Noah, his family and the animals went inside, and God kept them safe through a great flood. When they came out, God put a rainbow in the clouds. It was the sign of His promise: never again would a flood destroy all life. Every rainbow reminds us that God keeps His promises.
Ask
- Who went into the ark?
- What did God put in the clouds?
- What does a rainbow remind us of?
Do
Draw a rainbow with all its colors, or make one by holding a glass of water in the sunshine. The next time you see a real rainbow, say together: God keeps His promises!
Pray
Dear God, thank You for keeping Noah safe and for the rainbow. Thank You that You always keep Your promises. Amen.
-
Day 3
Samuel listens to God
Read
Once again, for the third time, the LORD called to Samuel. He got up, went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you have called me.” Then Eli realized that it was the LORD who was calling the boy. “Go and lie down,” he said to Samuel, “and if He calls you, say, ‘Speak, LORD, for Your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. Then the LORD came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.”
— 1 Samuel 3:8-10 (BSB)Talk
Samuel was a boy who lived and served at God’s house with an old priest named Eli. One night Samuel heard someone call his name. He ran to Eli, but Eli had not called him. It happened three times! Then Eli understood: God was calling Samuel. So the next time, Samuel said, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.” God speaks to us too, through the Bible, and we can listen.
Ask
- Who was calling Samuel in the night?
- What did Samuel say when God called again (v. 10)?
- How can we listen to God?
Do
Close your eyes and be very quiet for one minute. What sounds can you hear? Then open the Bible and read one verse together, listening to God.
Pray
Speak, Lord, I am listening. Help me listen to You and do what You say. Amen.
-
Day 4
David trusts God
Read
And David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail on account of this Philistine. Your servant will go and fight him!” But Saul replied, “You cannot go out against this Philistine to fight him. You are just a boy, and he has been a warrior from his youth.” David replied, “Your servant has been tending his father’s sheep, and whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock, I went after it, struck it down, and delivered the lamb from its mouth. If it reared up against me, I would grab it by its fur, strike it down, and kill it. Your servant has killed lions and bears; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.” David added, “The LORD, who delivered me from the claws of the lion and the bear, will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” “Go,” said Saul, “and may the LORD be with you.”
— 1 Samuel 17:32-37 (BSB)Talk
A giant soldier named Goliath was frightening God’s people. Everyone was afraid, even the king. But David, a young shepherd, said he would fight the giant. The king said, “You are just a boy.” David remembered how God had helped him protect his sheep from a lion and a bear, and he knew God would help him again. With a sling, a stone and God’s help, David won.
Ask
- Who was afraid of Goliath?
- What did David remember that God had done for him (v. 37)?
- What makes you afraid? Can God help you?
Do
Mark Goliath’s height on a wall or the floor: almost ten feet, about three meters. Stand next to it. Then talk about how much bigger our God is than any giant.
Pray
Dear God, You are bigger than anything that scares me. Help me trust You like David did. Amen.
-
Day 5
Daniel and the lions
Read
At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the den of lions. When he reached the den, he cried out in a voice of anguish, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” Then Daniel replied, “O king, may you live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, for I was found innocent in His sight, and I have done no wrong against you, O king.”
— Daniel 6:19-22 (BSB)Talk
Daniel loved God and prayed to Him three times every day. Some men who did not like Daniel tricked the king into making a law that no one could pray to anyone except the king. Daniel kept praying to God anyway, so he was thrown into a den of lions. The king worried all night. In the morning he hurried to the den, and Daniel was safe! God had sent His angel to shut the lions’ mouths.
Ask
- What did Daniel keep doing, even when it was against the law?
- What did God’s angel do to the lions (v. 22)?
- When can you pray to God?
Do
Be lions with your mouths shut tight! Then name all the times you can pray: when you wake up, at meals, at bedtime, and any time at all.
Pray
Dear God, thank You for keeping Daniel safe. Help me pray to You every day, like Daniel. Amen.
-
Day 6
Jesus is born
Read
So Joseph also went up from Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, since he was from the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to him in marriage and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her Child to be born. And she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son. She wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
— Luke 2:4-7 (BSB)Talk
Mary and Joseph traveled a long way to the town of Bethlehem. When they got there, there was no room for them in the inn. That night Mary’s baby was born. She wrapped Him in cloths and laid Him in a manger, a box where animals eat their food. This baby was Jesus, God’s own Son. He came to be our Savior. Christmas is Jesus’ birthday!
Ask
- Where did Mary lay baby Jesus?
- Why was baby Jesus in a manger (v. 7)?
- Why did God send Jesus?
Do
Make a little manger from a small box and some paper straw, or set up a nativity set. Let your child put baby Jesus in the manger.
Pray
Thank You, God, for sending baby Jesus. Thank You that He came to be our Savior. Amen.
-
Day 7
Jesus loves children
Read
Now people were bringing the little children to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them, and the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and told them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And He took the children in His arms, placed His hands on them, and blessed them.
— Mark 10:13-16 (BSB)Talk
People brought their little children to Jesus so He could bless them. Jesus’ friends thought He was too busy and tried to send them away. But Jesus was not pleased with His friends. He said, “Let the little children come to Me.” Then He took the children in His arms and blessed them. Jesus is never too busy for you. He loves children, and He loves you.
Ask
- What did Jesus’ friends try to do?
- What did Jesus do with the children (v. 16)?
- How does it feel to know Jesus loves you?
Do
Give each child a big hug and tell them, Jesus loves you. Then sing Jesus Loves Me together.
Pray
Jesus, thank You that You love children and You are never too busy for me. I love You too. Amen.
-
Day 8
Jesus calms the storm
Read
Soon a violent windstorm came up, and the waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was being swamped. But Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they woke Him and said, “Teacher, don’t You care that we are perishing?” Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the sea. “Silence!” He commanded. “Be still!” And the wind died down, and it was perfectly calm. “Why are you so afraid?” He asked. “Do you still have no faith?” Overwhelmed with fear, they asked one another, “Who is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”
— Mark 4:37-41 (BSB)Talk
Jesus and His friends were in a boat when a huge storm came. Waves splashed into the boat, and His friends were very scared. But Jesus was asleep on a cushion! They woke Him up. Jesus told the wind and the waves to be still, and everything became perfectly calm. His friends asked, “Who is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” Jesus is God, and He is with us in every storm.
Ask
- What was Jesus doing during the storm?
- What happened when Jesus spoke to the wind and the waves?
- What are you scared of? Can Jesus help you?
Do
Make big waves in a bowl of water or in the bath. Then say, Be still! and let the water go calm. Talk about how Jesus is stronger than any storm.
Pray
Jesus, You are stronger than any storm. When I am scared, help me remember You are with me. Amen.
-
Day 9
The lost sheep
Read
“What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the pasture and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders, comes home, and calls together his friends and neighbors to tell them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep!’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous ones who do not need to repent.
— Luke 15:4-7 (BSB)Talk
Jesus told a story about a shepherd who had one hundred sheep. One little sheep wandered away and got lost. The shepherd did not say, never mind, I still have ninety-nine. He went looking until he found it. Then he carried it home on his shoulders, full of joy, and called his friends to celebrate. Jesus is our Good Shepherd. He looks for us, and He loves each one of us.
Ask
- How many sheep did the shepherd have? How many got lost?
- What did the shepherd do when he found the lost sheep (v. 5)?
- How is Jesus like the shepherd?
Do
Hide a toy sheep or animal somewhere in the room and let your child search for it. When they find it, celebrate together, and talk about how happy Jesus is when someone comes back to Him.
Pray
Jesus, my Good Shepherd, thank You for looking for me and loving me. Help me stay close to You. Amen.
-
Day 10
Jesus is alive!
Read
But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said! Come, see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him.’ See, I have told you.” So they hurried away from the tomb in fear and great joy, and ran to tell His disciples.
— Matthew 28:5-8 (BSB)Talk
Jesus loved people so much that He died on a cross to take away our sins. His friends were very sad. They laid His body in a tomb, a cave with a big stone in front. But on the third day some women went to the tomb, and an angel said, “He is not here; He has risen, just as He said!” Jesus is alive! Because He is alive, we can live with Him forever.
Ask
- What did the angel tell the women?
- How did the women feel as they ran to tell the disciples (v. 8)?
- Who can you tell that Jesus is alive?
Do
Make an empty tomb from a cup on its side with a round stone or ball in front. Roll the stone away and shout together: Jesus is alive!
Pray
Jesus, thank You for dying for my sins and rising again. I am so glad You are alive! Amen.
Tips for family devotions
- Keep it short and happy. Little ones listen for a few minutes at a time. Stop while they are still enjoying it.
- Let them do something. Children remember what they do. Let them turn the page, hold the Bible, act out the story or say the prayer after you.
- Repeat the stories. Young children love the same story again and again. When you finish day 10, start over.
- Pray in their words. After the written prayer, invite your child to thank God for one thing in their own words.
More family devotions
- Family Devotions on Kindness · 7 days
- Family Dinner Devotions · 10 days
- Advent Family Devotions · 25 days
- Holy Week Family Devotions · 8 days
- Bible reading plan for kids
- Bible verses for preschoolers
- Bible memory verses for kids
- A bedtime prayer for kids
- All family devotions
Questions
How do you do family devotions with young kids?
Keep them short, about ten minutes, and do them at the same time each day, such as breakfast or bedtime. Read a few verses from the Bible, explain them simply, ask a question or two, do something with your hands and pray a short prayer together.
What ages are these devotions for?
They are written for children about 3 to 7. Toddlers can enjoy the stories and activities with help, and older children can read the verses aloud. For older children, try our kindness and dinner table devotions.
Which Bible should we read from with young children?
The verses on this page are printed from the Berean Standard Bible, a clear modern translation. Reading from a real Bible, even a few verses, helps children learn that these stories come from God’s word.