Praygrounds
A prayground is…
- A designated area within a worship space where children can engage in age-appropriate, worship-centered activities during the service while participating with the rest of the gathered congregation.
- A visual signal that the church is committed to children as full participants in worship.
- Often defined by a rug, a small table, or a specific pew.
- An area that caregivers are welcome to gather near and to use with their children during worship.
- Similar to other accommodations we make in the worship space, such as large print bulletins, space for wheelchairs, and hearing assistance.
A prayground is not…
- A one-size-fits all model—it is an experimental approach that each congregation should adapt to their own culture and rhythms.
- A play area with toys and activities unrelated to worship.
- A separate place where the children are sent off to or as a means to separate families or households during worship.
A prayground begins with…
- Realizing that each congregation has its own context and needs for integrating children. A prayground may not be the right idea for every congregation or every space or every moment. Spend time as a congregation discussing how you are currently welcoming children and considering your space from a child’s point of view.
- Explaining clearly why your congregation should experiment with this type of space and setting expectations for both adult and child participation.
- Identifying people who will help promote the idea, maintain the space, and volunteer as a prayground “guide” or “helper” during worship services. Note: teenagers may be among your best helpers with this! Or, if you don’t have enough volunteers, you could say that parents need to accompany their children in the space.
- Planning how the prayground can reflect the rhythms of worship, such as bringing out instruments and scarves only during songs and offering a way for children to engage during the sermons.
- Trying it as an experiment for at least two months and plan to evaluate how it’s going at the end of the trial period.
A prayground’s materials…
- Should be simple and intentional—sometimes all you need is a space to gather and a leader!
- Could include a small set of intentional, worship-related items, such as books, art, or materials that reflect the current church season
- Would be effective with multiple of the same thing so children can all have an opportunity to use the them
Want ready-to-use and high-quality prayground materials?
If you are near North Newton, KS, come browse the model prayground at the WDC Resource Library and check out materials for you to use at your congregation! If you are farther away, email Jennie at crlib@mennowdc.org and she will mail them to you. You can browse them online at this link.
