The internet has loads of fantastic resources for youth and children’s leaders. The problem is knowing where to find them.
We’ve collated a library of useful websites and youth work ideas: just click on a category to start exploring.
If you can’t find what you are looking for, please do contact us and we will try to help. If you have a useful link to add please complete the box at the bottom of the page.
Assemblies
- Adventure assembly
- Back to School assembly
- New Year, New Start assembly outline
- Scripture Union – Euro 2016 and Rio Olympics all-age service plans
- Scripture Union top tips videos – quick tips for Children's and youth leaders
- Scripture Union: Schools live – create your schools work sessions online
- Think Before You Speak
- Using games in assemblies
Bereavement
Books
- Babies and Toddlers – Nurturing your child’s spiritual life
- Books of the Bible journal
- Books of Wonder – Exploring science and faith for children
- Contemplative Youth Ministry
- It Begins in Bethlehem – Christmas book and video by the Bible Society
- Jesus Died for Me – Easter books for children
- Mend the gap
- Reinventing Youth Ministry (again)
- Rise
- Scripture Union – It’s your move books
- Speaking to Teenagers
- The Christmas Story – BRF Online
- The Faith of Generation Y
- The Impossible Promise – Bible Society
- The Story – Youthscape
- What’s in the Bible (for me)? By Lucy Moore
- Your First Two Years in Youth Ministry
- Youth Ministry On A Shoestring
Christmas
- 20 Christmas ideas for reaching families
- A performance of the ‘Barn Nativity’ by Impact in Bedford
- An interactive nativity – A party for Jesus
- Exploring Christmas in a socially distanced world
- God became like me? Retelling of why Jesus came
- How to do Christmas differently
- Introducing children to the themes of advent
- Resources to celebrate Christmas
- The Christmas Story – BRF Online
- The greatest journey – video from the Bible Society
- The Impossible Promise – Bible Society
Covid-19
- 10 Ways to nurture your wellbeing while at home
- 20 ideas for reaching children and their families this Christmas
- 25 Socially distanced games
- 40 Moments by Muddy Church for 40 ideas for lent
- 7 inspirational ways to encourage your young people to pray
- A fun Easter activity with a dice – from GodVenture
- A geography game taking you on a journey around the world
- A powerful short video of hope to encourage leaders – Lament – a spoken word
- A preventative resource to help boys aged 13-16 develop a healthier approach to their emotional wellbeing.
- A virtual version of our Easter Experience, aimed at Y5-7
- An interactive nativity for toddlers
- Articles around youth ministry ideas during social distancing and on remote evangelism.
- At A Loss
- At home with God
- At home with God audio and visual broadcasts
- Bible Quest – Quest around the country by exploring God’s word
- Children’s workers share their experiences and encouragement from the Pandemic
- Church of England Guidelines on ministry to children, young people & families during COVID-19
- Coronavirus youth ministry blog – Youthscape
- Courage and Creativity in the unknown – Renew Normal Podcast
- Covid-19 Resources and Quarantine Ideas – Youthscape
- Creative way to use Minecraft to reach young people
- Creativity and worship with Beth Croft
- Encouragement in the online space
- Energize – Kids Club by Post
- Faith at Home – The Diocese of Coventry
- Faith, football and isolation
- Free resources to help during lockdown from Parenting for Faith
- Gather the family – worship ideas to explore as a family
- Go Colour – hand drawn books filled with things to doodle, colour-in and pray about
- Headstrong youth group programme tackling mental wellbeing by Youthscape
- Helpful articles on additional needs
- Helping kids engage with an online festival
- Helping young people with grief – Podcast – Pete English / Youthscape
- How do we encourage young people to tell their stories from isolation
- How not to lead a team of youth work volunteers
- Kleer series – a teaching video series for young people with little or no church background
- Leaving lockdown resources from Scripture Union
- Life in Lockdown – books for children
- Light Party Packs by Scripture Union
- Limitless kids – Worship resources from Elim
- Limitless TV – online support for youth leaders
- Martin and Rachel discuss their experience of helping young people encounter God
- Mental health and pastoral care
- National Youth Agency guidelines
- New normal and your youth group – Energize
- Nurturing faith at home
- Parenting for Faith – Responding to coronavirus
- Passion and determination in a post-coronavirus world
- Post Quarantine Connection – People over programme
- Quiz night – Youthscape
- Raising the Bar – Lockdown resources and escape rooms on line for youth ministry
- Re-thinking youthwork in Covid-19 – Youthscape
- Renew Normal Ep 2 – Purpose in a pandemic – How is youth ministry changing?
- Rob Parsons – Ten tips on how to connect on camera
- Scripture Union – Bake Off with the Bible
- Scripture Union – Explore fear, worry and anxiety children 5-8’s
- Scripture Union Discussions with Children on grief and loss
- Shuffle and Shuffle Mindset are great resources to use through with young people through Lent
- Single-parenting in a pandemic
- Stay at home
- SUNDAY SET UP – New devotionals for young people
- Talking about tough stuff
- Teaching young people to embrace prayer for themselves
- The Blessing (Kids)
- The new normal – Reaching young people
- The new normal: What’s next for youth and children’s workers
- Together Apart -resources
- Updated guidelines from Limitless Elim
- Ways to connect young people with Christian faith – Youthscape
- Ways to connect young people with Christian faith – Youthscape
- What’s in the Bible (for me)? By Lucy Moore
- YCW Premier – Taking youth ministry online
- Young people are more likely than other age groups to pray and read their Bible during the pandemic.
- Youth for Christ – Engaging with your youth
- YouthScape – What does youth culture look like right now?
- Zoom games and ideas for young people
Developing Others
- 11 Keys to Effectively Leading Volunteers
- Build confidence in sharing God within your schools work.
- Courage and Creativity in the unknown – Renew Normal Podcast
- Discovery Bible Study
- Five things to do now face to face youth work is back
- Helpful articles on additional needs
- How not to lead a team of youth work volunteers
- How to care for your voluteers
- How To Establish Spiritual Goals For Teens
- Modern day slavery
- Pais Movement- Free apprenticeship training
- Parenting for Faith – talking to children and youth about injustice
- Post Quarantine Connection – People over programme
- Renew Normal Ep 2 – Purpose in a pandemic – How is youth ministry changing?
- Scripture Union – Explore fear, worry and anxiety children 5-8’s
- Scripture Union – Helping children discover their own self-worth
- Scripture Union – New mental health suite supporting children
- Supporting young people with mental health
- Teaching young people to embrace prayer for themselves
- The 2 Questions I ask every volunteer leader – YouthMin.org
- The Swedish Method of Bible Study
- Volunteer Accountability
- Young people and racial justice – Youthscape Podcast
- Young people are more likely than other age groups to pray and read their Bible during the pandemic.
Employing a Youth Leader
Family worship at home
- 40 Moments by Muddy Church for 40 ideas for lent
- A fun Easter activity with a dice – from GodVenture
- An interactive nativity for toddlers
- At home with God audio and visual broadcasts
- Books of Wonder – Exploring science and faith for children
- Christmas at home and Advent Calendars from Godventure
- Creativity and worship with Beth Croft
- Encouraging and equipping parents to coach their children’s connection to God
- Energize – Kids Club by Post
- Faith at Home – The Diocese of Coventry
- Free resources to help during lockdown from Parenting for Faith
- Gather the family – worship ideas to explore as a family
- Go Colour – hand drawn books filled with things to doodle, colour-in and pray about
- God Venture – Faith at home
- God Venture “Joy” edition
- Life in Lockdown – books for children
- Light Party Packs by Scripture Union
- Limitless kids – Worship resources from Elim
- Messy Christingle by Messy Church
- Nurturing faith at home
- Parenting for Faith – talking to children and youth about injustice
- Scripture Union – Bible themed make and pray activities
- Stay at home
- What’s in the Bible – colouring pictures and verses
- What’s in the Bible (for me)? By Lucy Moore
Games
- 16 No Prep Games
- 25 Socially distanced games
- 27 Camping games and activities for kids
- 4 on the couch
- 60-second hot seat game
- A geography game taking you on a journey around the world
- Actionary – charades, pictionary & sculpting in one game!
- Blind leading the blind
- Body Guard
- Camping game
- Camping Games
- Christmas – what are you holding?
- Christmas Alphabet Game
- Circle dodgeball
- Conveyor Belt
- Creative way to use Minecraft to reach young people
- Game ideas – The Blackburn Diocesan Board of Education
- Games Secretary
- Grog is a great group game to play after dark in a hall.
- Group Games for Teambuilding
- Guardians of Anchora
- Guggenheim
- Human Roomba – get stuck in!
- Jubed
- Laughing Game
- Mafia – discover the Mafia before they get to you!
- More basic team building games
- Quick and easy Christmas games
- Quiz night – Youthscape
- Raising the Bar – Lockdown resources and escape rooms on line for youth ministry
- The Source For Youth Ministry
- Top 10 all time best youth group games
- Ultimate Icebreaker
- Using games in assemblies
- Would you rather? Bible questions for children
- Would you rather? Games questions for young people
- Year of the Coin
- Youthscape Bricks – turn a Jenga set into a fun discussion game for ages 11 and up
- Zoom games and ideas for young people
Growing as a Leader
- 30 Nuggets of Practical Advice for New Detached Youth Workers
- 7 Tips to help your relationship with the senior pastor
- A Discipleship Framework for your Youth Ministry
- Build confidence in sharing God within your schools work.
- Create your own spiritual growth plan
- Disenfranchised Youth – Barna Group
- Examine App – This free app is a thoughtful daily reflection tool
- How not to lead a team of youth work volunteers
- How to measure the character of your leadership
- How to plan a personal prayer retreat
- Inspiring young people with God’s word
- Meet Generation Z : Forget everything you learned about Millennials
- National Youthwork Ministry Weekend
- NTC: BA (Hons) Theology (Youth and Community)
- Pais Movement- Free apprenticeship training
- Permission to fail Podcast
- Practical suggestions for prayer:
- Scripture Union top tips videos – quick tips for Children's and youth leaders
- Serious 4 God Leadership Podcast
- The Christian youth leader and prayer
- The Swedish Method of Bible Study
- Youth Evangelism Conference
Health and Safety
- A Parent’s Guide for Youtube and safe Internet Streaming
- A Parent's Guide to Teenage Depression
- Alumina on line course for young people dealing with self harm
- How to write a risk assessment
- NSPCC Online Safety
- NSPCC Pokemon Go: a parent's guide
- NSPCC: Keeping children safe online course
- Supporting young people with medical needs
- The Parents’ Guide to Teaching your Teen Online Safety
Mental Health
- 10 Ways to nurture your wellbeing while at home
- Headstrong youth group programme tackling mental wellbeing by Youthscape
- Mental health and pastoral care
- Shuffle and Shuffle Mindset are great resources to use through with young people through Lent
- YCW Premier – Mental Health Awareness: What can we do next?
Outreach
Residential Visits
- 27 Camping games and activities for kids
- Breathe Youth Retreat
- Falcon Camps
- Making the most of residentials (podcast and article)
- Planning a Weekend Youth Retreat
- Scripture Union holiday at Soul Survivor especially for the Midlands
- Scripture Union Holidays
- Scripture Union Holidays
- Why Run a Residential?
Schools Work
- Adventure assembly
- Build confidence in sharing God within your schools work.
- Chaplaincy Central
- Creating a Prayer Space
- Examattack
- It's Your Church
- New Year, New Start assembly outline
- Pray For Schools
- Schools Live
- Scripture Union – Shine in Schools
- Scripture Union top tips videos – quick tips for Children's and youth leaders
- Scripture Union: Schools live – create your schools work sessions online
- The Big Story – teach the Bible to 11-14 year olds
- Think Before You Speak
- Using games in assemblies
Small Group Ideas
- 5 building blocks of a small group meeting
- 5 ways to enrich your small group time
- Francis Chan video on an authentic prayer life
- How to make a study outline for a youth small group
- How to prepare Bible study questions
- More basic team building games
- Scripture Union top tips videos – quick tips for Children's and youth leaders
- Welcome Icebreakers
- What to do with teens who go silent in your small group
Special Events
- FREE Prayer station kit
- Hope Together- A week of schools based mission
- National Youthwork Ministry Weekend
- Scripture Union top tips videos – quick tips for Children's and youth leaders
- The 139 Project – simple yet effective way to make a difference
- The Advent Sleep Out Challenge
- The Advent Sleepout Challenge
- The Youth Evangelism Conference
- Youth Evangelism Conference 2022
Stories and Illustrations
- A Lessson from Geese
- Amy Carmichael quote on spiritual growth
- Anxiety – jokes, quotes & facts
- Christ + Me + Sin forgiveness video illustration
- Clarity vs trust
- Fine Margins – choosing well and sportsmanship
- Imperial Hotel story to teach about confidence
- Nehemiah shows you how to pass your exams!
- Sermon Scenes
- Temptation – sneaking a peak
- The Christmas Story – BRF Online
- The Impossible Promise – Bible Society
Strategy and Vision
- A Discipleship Framework for your Youth Ministry
- Fostering Home-Church Relationships
- Goal-setting
- How healthy are your groups?
- How to build a youth strategy
- How to develop a youth strategy
- The Church Sticking Together
- The Story – Youthscape
- What Makes Children's & Youth Ministry a Success?
- Youth Ministry Answers- podcasts by Kenny and Elle Campbell
- Youthministry360-getting teenagers to read the bible more
Teaching Resources
- 40 Acts – do Lent generously
- 48 Prayer Activities to try
- 5-11 Teaching resource – The Blackburn Diocesan Board of Education
- A pack of resources to celebrate Christmas with children
- A preventative resource to help boys aged 13-16 develop a healthier approach to their emotional wellbeing.
- A virtual version of our Easter Experience, aimed at Y5-7
- Africa Inland Mission – Bible study resources on mission
- Anti-bullying resources from Scripture Union
- At home with God
- Bible Quest – Quest around the country by exploring God’s word
- Discovery Bible Study
- Evangelism Styles Questionnaire
- Explore Together
- Going back to church – resources to help transition children and leaders back together
- Great is the Lord: session on worship
- How to pray video – 5 minute film from Ethos
- Is anybody listening – Social Media Resource – Scripture Union
- Kleer series – a teaching video series for young people with little or no church background
- Leaving lockdown resources from Scripture Union
- Light Party Packs by Scripture Union
- Living It – ready-to-use resource on freedom
- Making Connections – 4 part series on key relationships
- Mini Bible Lessons
- Mission Essentials Bible Studies – Africa Inland Mission
- Name That Tune
- Norwich youth for Christ videos
- Olympic Session – a look at Christian life using the Olympics 2012 as a theme
- Out of ideas? Creative inspiration
- Parenting for Faith – talking to children and youth about injustice
- Privilege Object Lesson
- Raising the Bar – Lockdown resources and escape rooms on line for youth ministry
- Scripture Union – Bake Off with the Bible
- The case files of the empty tomb – video & worksheet for yrs 7-8
- The Children's Society- "Seriously Awkward" Youth group resources
- The Story – Youthscape
- Together Apart -resources
- Under Five’s Teaching – The Blackburn Diocesan Board of Education
- Ways to connect young people with Christian faith – Youthscape
- Weird: resource for small groups about being distinctive
- What’s in the Bible – colouring pictures and verses
- Youth Ministry 360 Christmas Vault
- Youth work resource
- Youthscape Bricks – turn a Jenga set into a fun discussion game for ages 11 and up
Training Courses
Training Events
- 'Growing Young Disciples' one day conference from The Good Book Company – 1st March in Nottingham
- Getting Your Kids Through Church Without Them Ending Up Hating God tour 2013
- Growing Young Disciples
- National Youthwork Ministry Weekend
- Parenting teenagers evening from Care for The Family
- Sticky Faith training events from Scripture Union – help young people to make their faith 'stick'
Video Clips
- “Three Friends and the Miracle Man” from the Bible Society
- 'Everything Praise the Lord' video based on Psalm 150
- A chosen generation (lost generation poem)
- A powerful short video of hope to encourage leaders – Lament – a spoken word
- Artist David Garibaldi paints Jesus
- Bigger than the world itself short video
- Canadian car chase – think outside the box
- Chasing It All – Lecrae
- Children’s workers share their experiences and encouragement from the Pandemic
- Christ + Me + Sin forgiveness video illustration
- Christmas Chord – Spoken word on Christmas
- Christmas miracle: real-time giving (generosity)
- CV resources – free library of quality, downloadable Christian videos
- Don't judge a book by it's cover
- Fotoshop by Adobe
- Get young people thinking about their life journey
- Go Chatter: Bitesize videos to get people talking about Jesus
- Happyland Nativity – Christmas video for young children
- How to pray video – 5 minute film from Ethos
- How to start a movement
- Inspiring young people with God’s word
- It Begins in Bethlehem – Christmas book and video by the Bible Society
- Jahmene Douglas from X Factor 2012 shares his faith and talks about becoming a Christian
- Life Community Church kids
- Limitless TV – online support for youth leaders
- Masks – honesty is better than hiding behind a mask
- Missing the boat – parable about evangelism
- Never been unloved
- Out of ideas? Creative inspiration
- Psalm 23: Bible text animation worship video
- Roots Prayer
- Self Destruct
- Shine Your Light
- SUNDAY SET UP – New devotionals for young people
- Thankful Scrabble
- The Blessing (Kids)
- The Crowd or the Cross
- This is discipleship
- Video: The Gospel according to Mark
- Video: TRUE & BETTER by Dan Stevens
- What do strangers think of you? Video about self image.
- Youth for Christ – Engaging with your youth
Worship Ideas
- 'Everything Praise the Lord' video based on Psalm 150
- 48 Prayer Activities to try
- Autumn worship idea to help people stay connected
- Bible Screen – constantly changing Bible verses on your computer screen
- Creative videos for worship
- Creative youth ministry ideas for lent
- Globe Prayers
- It Begins in Bethlehem – Christmas book and video by the Bible Society
- Messy Christingle by Messy Church
- Psalm 23: Bible text animation worship video
- Self image idea