PrayGround during Sunday Worship
A PrayGround is a dedicated worship area for kids (toddlers and young elementary children) within the church’s main sanctuary. It provides an opportunity for children to worship through play. The PrayGround is complete with table and chairs, coloring, books about God, soft blocks, a cardboard Mass kit, and more to come; all of which allow children to work and worship quietly while their parents pray nearby.
We value having people of all ages worship together, but it can be a challenge sometimes. Sunday Liturgy is very much about listening, responding, singing, and watching which is not always easy for kids. In the past, we’ve had worship bags with coloring pages and crayons for kids to bring into the Sanctuary. Those bags are still available. The Pray Ground is kind of the next step; it’s an area in the sanctuary where kids can sit and get the wiggles out, and they’re not confined to a pew. They were already writing and drawing anyway, so this is the place for them to do that while being better able to see what is happening in Service.
The PrayGround is about finding ways to engage the kids in worship, and it’s intended to be a teaching tool of how to worship. If we can do that in an enjoyable way and engage their interest, they’ll hopefully look forward to gathering for Sunday Liturgy.