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10 Proven Ways on How Do I Keep My Sunday School Class Engaged?
Looking for ways to keep your Sunday School class engaged? The Four Corners icebreaker gets preteens moving, thinking, and talking before the lesson begins.
“Keeping preteens engaged isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing the right things at the right time.”
How Do I Keep My Sunday School Class Engaged? The good news is that engagement isn’t about having a bigger budget, a longer lesson, or endless preparation time. It’s about creating an environment where preteens want to participate.
Teaching preteens can be incredibly rewarding, but it also comes with a unique challenge. One minute they’re laughing together, and the next they’re distracted, whispering to friends, or simply staring into space. If you’ve ever finished a lesson wondering whether anyone was really listening, you’re not alone.
10 Proven Ways to Keep Preteens Interested in Sunday School
1. Start with an activity, not a lecture
The first five minutes often determine the tone of the entire lesson. Instead of asking everyone to sit quietly while you introduce the topic, begin with an interactive activity that gets everyone involved.
A simple icebreaker helps students relax, connect with one another, and switch from “weekend mode” into “lesson mode.”
2. Get everyone talking
Preteens learn best when they can share their thoughts rather than simply listen.
Activities that encourage discussion help quieter students find their voice while giving confident students a chance to contribute positively.
3. Get them moving
Movement naturally increases attention.
Standing, choosing sides, lining up, building something together, or moving around the room gives restless learners an appropriate outlet for their energy.
4. Make learning social
Friendships are incredibly important during the preteen years.
When students laugh together, solve problems together, and work in teams, they become more invested in the lesson that follows.
5. Use a variety of activities
Not every child learns the same way.
Some enjoy discussion.
Others love drawing.
Some prefer problem-solving.
Others enjoy movement.
Mixing different styles keeps everyone engaged.
6. Keep activities short
Attention spans are limited.
Several shorter activities are often far more effective than one long one.
A five- to ten-minute icebreaker is usually enough to capture attention without taking over the lesson.
7. Encourage participation—not perfection
The goal isn’t to get every answer right.
The goal is to create a safe environment where students feel comfortable joining in, making mistakes, asking questions, and having fun while learning.
8. Connect activities to your lesson
The best games don’t distract from Bible teaching—they prepare students for it.
An engaging activity creates curiosity and provides a natural bridge into the lesson’s main message.
9. Keep preparation simple
Most Sunday School teachers are volunteers with limited preparation time.
Low-prep activities reduce stress while allowing you to spend more time building relationships with your students.
10. Build excitement every week
When preteens know something fun happens at the start of every class, they begin arriving with anticipation.
Consistency creates excitement, and excitement leads to better engagement.
So, How Do I Keep My Sunday School Class Engaged?
Ready-to-Use Ice Breakers for Sunday School
If you’re looking for activities that are already planned, printable, and designed specifically for preteens aged 10–13, the MommmI’mBored Ice Breakers collections provide everything you need.
Ice Breakers General Series 1 – A printable collection of 10 low-prep ice breaker games designed to help preteens build friendships, start conversations and have fun in Sunday School, Kids Church and youth groups.
The first collection introduces ten interactive games that encourage conversation, teamwork, movement, creativity, and participation. Each game includes a Leader Guide, a printable General Addendum, and a Bible-themed variation to help connect activities with your lesson.
The second collection expands your toolkit with ten more engaging activities, including Human Bingo, Line Up!, Four Corners, Secret Identity, Picture This!, and more. Like the first collection, every game includes printable resources and Bible variations where appropriate, making them easy to use in Sunday School, Kids Church, youth groups, Christian schools, and homeschool settings.
Final Thoughts
Keeping preteens engaged isn’t about entertaining them every minute—it’s about creating opportunities for them to participate, build relationships, and become excited about learning God’s Word.
A well-chosen icebreaker can transform the atmosphere of your classroom, helping students feel welcomed, involved, and ready to learn before the lesson even begins.
