15 Ways to Keep Kids Excited about Awana During the Summer

The last group of kids leaves the stage on awards night. Everyone had an awesome time over the last Awana year, and now they turn their sights to summer vacation: church camp, Vacation Bible School, visitors, family vacations and no homework! With all this going on, sometimes Awana slips out of their view, but there are ways to keep kids excited about your ministry during the summer.

So how do we keep them excited through the summer and ready for the new ministry year? By reminding them of the exciting times they had last year and giving them some Awana fun between awards night and the first night of the new club year. Here are 15 ideas to keep Awana in their minds. (If you have an additional idea or two – why not share it in the comment section?)

• Display pictures from the previous year on the bulletin boards around the church.
• Create a mobile display board of pictures to show at the church’s or community’s summer events.
• Create flyers specific to your club to hand out at church or community activities through the summer.
• Make a 5-minute promotional video of the previous year with photos and fun music. Show it during the summer at VBS, Sunday school or maybe during a church service.
• Send postcards to your clubbers’ families.
• Call the parents of your clubbers just to touch base.
• Connect with the parents on Facebook and share the goals, events and themes their kids can look forward to. The best way to do this is to set up a club Facebook page and continually add info and interesting facts throughout the summer.
• Hold an Awana family game and food night.
• Let the Vacation Bible School or church picnic staff use Awana game equipment.
• Play some Awana games at Vacation Bible School or the church picnic.
• Start fundraising for the next round of Awana events. Get the kids thinking ahead.
• Grab your Trek and Journey clubbers and host a community event, such as a drive-in movie night. Share the promotional video before the movie.
• Host a mid-summer carnival night. Include stations where they answer T&T/ Bible questions, recall verses from their handbooks (game or straight recitation), and play games with Awana equipment.
• Have an Awana Promotion Sunday a few weeks before the club starts. Present the slideshow, have a couple of clubbers speak, and share about the exciting things coming in the new club year.