Kidologist's Zone

Andy the Appraiser visits and talks about the worth of a valuable object as a lead in to the fact that Worship is how we show God how much HE is worth to us!

A simple, fun, and exciting game that will help children realize that our country is just a small part of much larger world!

Puppet learns the hard way what it really means to "Walk in the Light" (Also can be a skit)

Puppet thinks if only he ruled the world everything world be O.K. - learns that Jesus was the perfect leader, and He was killed!

This is a fun way to get kids thinking about different countries around the world throughout an entire missions program! Rename them the name of a country for a service!

Puppet illustrates the need for Praise in a very entertaining manner!

A Game Show that illustrates we can always call on God for help!

This is a simple way on one Sunday to gently force all the kids to make some new friends!

Karl, the Kidologist has had a note from Phil Vischer's mom up next to his desk for over 15 years... find out why!

Lots of people watch magicians with envy as they roll coins over their fingers with ease... now you can learn the secret from the Kidologist!

Puppet gets a letter from a friend, is excited, but doesn't open it. Silly huh? Kinda like Christians who are excited about their Bibles, but don't read them. Silly huh?

For one Sunday show the kids what it feel like to be greeted like a celebrity when they arrive at church.

Everyone has seen a Wordless Book, here are some NEW ways to present it! Get Creative!!

A BUNCH of ideas for encouraging your volunteers from the aisles of the grocery store!

A funny skit that teaches that J.O.Y. comes from putting Jesus 1st, Others 2nd and You 3rd.

A simple tossing game that illustrates that winning in life comes from accepting challenges.

A huggable game that lasts the whole kids church service! FUN and memorable!!

Newspaper games that help teach about sharing the Gospel.

Newspaper games that help teach about sharing the Gospel.

Newspaper games that help teach about sharing the Gospel.

Newspaper games that help teach about sharing the Gospel.

Let the kids choose the lesson order to learn about choices!

A popular game used to teach kids the Bible Books

A fun game show gone amuck helps teach kids the meaning of worship!

Using children's love of candy to demonstrate that worship is a show of worth!

Take off your top hat and let someone else tame your ministry’s time-sucking “lions” so you can shepherd children. But how can we keep the main thing — shepherding young hearts —the main thing?

Karl gives some insight on how he lobbied for administrative support from a senior pastor who was trying to be "fair" to all his staff.

This object lesson visually demonstrates the change that happens to a person when they become a Christian - they change from ordinary to something very special!

This is Karl Bastian and Michael Chanley's workshop at CPC 2011.

Kids and adults respond better to puppets than to almost any other creative teaching method.

This is a guide on how to prepare a written salvation testimony with the Kidologist's as a sample. Written for kids, but good for all ages. See the PDF for printing and the sample.

Karl reviews the KidCheck Church Check-In System

Karl provides an overview of his VIP Ministry and exclusive resources related to Family Ministry and D6 Conference.

Jesus in My Neighborhood? - Part 3 of 3: This is a FREE lesson and video download (for All Access members) on JESUS IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD. The video features Jesus visiting a boy for his bedtime prayers and giving him a surprise answer to prayer!

Jesus in My Neighborhood? - Part 2 of 3: This is a FREE lesson and video download (for All Access members) on WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR. The video has puppets answering the question, "Who is Your Neighbor?"

A puppet show between a giant pen and a giant pair of sun glasses discussing the need to praise God during prayer.

Jesus in My Neighborhood? - Part 1 of 3: This is a FREE lesson and video download (for All Access Members) on WHO IS JESUS. The video has puppets answering the question, "Who is Jesus?"

An illustration that teaches total surrender. Originally written for a lesson on work/service.

This is a great ice-breaker game that also can be used as a lesson on self-control.

If you want to be a more proactive leader – don't start your day by checking your e-mail, voice mail, or mail slot at the office. Here is what you do...

We don't get our lives pure of sin by picking out sin in our life! We get our lives pure simply by pouring more of God into our lives, and GOD WILL PURIFY US.

Karl explains Facebook & Twitter and how they can help you in ministry! Taught at CPC in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

Member Exclusive Sneak Peek at Object Talks from DiscipleTown Unit #3 Due out November 20th!

If we're really going to make a lasting impact on children, we need to do more than just create programs for them. We need to make a connection with them that transcends the things that we teach them.

You went into children's ministry because you wanted to be a shepherd of children – and all too soon you became more sheepherder than shepherd. What changed?

Are "FIC" (Family Integrated Churches) really better? Or are we merely trading one ineffective extreme for another?

Everywhere around us, we are hearing a growing call: The spiritual formation of children must be done by parents, not for parents. The church’s role is shifting from one of serving and supporting parents to one of empowering, equipping, and encouraging parents. How can children's ministry leaders respond to this call?

What do you bring to the table when it comes to partnering with parents? Maybe it's time to renegotiate your terms.

What the Kidologist, Karl Bastian, suggests as the "Top Ten" books, websites, and events for children's ministry leaders.

I have no doubt that children's ministry leaders and volunteers will keep "Christ in Christmas" during this season. I am more concerned about whether we will keep a relationship with Jesus at the center of our life and ministry. Christmas serves as a perfect object lesson on this topic because Christ slips away from our ministries the same way He slips out of Christmas.