Creating experiences where parents, kids, and every generation can grow together.
Most churches are great at creating events for specific age groups.
There’s Vacation Bible School for kids.
Bible studies and financial classes for adults.
Trunk or Treat, small groups, and parenting seminars all have their place.
But here’s the challenge: We rarely create environments where the entire family is engaged together. And that’s a missed opportunity.
In a time when families are more fragmented, schedules are stretched thin, and digital distractions dominate, churches have a unique chance to create something countercultural—a space where the whole family can grow in faith together.
So how do you do that in a way that’s meaningful, inclusive, and actually works?
Let’s walk through five strategies to help you plan events that are welcoming to every generation, deepen family discipleship, and reinforce the connection between faith and everyday life.
1. Make Events Accessible and Welcoming
It’s not enough to say an event is “for families.” You have to design it that way.
When an event looks like it’s just for kids, adults disengage. When it feels adult-only, kids check out. If you want full participation, your environment, tone, and structure need to signal that everyone belongs.
That means:
- Visuals that are warm and inviting—not too kiddie, not too corporate
- Language that’s simple, friendly, and welcoming for all ages
- Activities and signage that are inclusive, not overwhelming
Imagine your event through the lens of every generation: Would a young child feel excited walking in? Would a teenager feel awkward or invited? Would a parent or grandparent feel like they have a role to play—or just a seat to fill?
When you design with intentionality, you remove barriers and create space for families to connect together.
2. Include Leaders of All Ages in the Planning
One of the most common planning mistakes churches make? Only asking adults to plan family events.
If your event is meant to engage every generation, get input from every generation. Invite young leaders, older mentors, parents, teens—even kids—to speak into what would make the event engaging, helpful, and fun.
You’ll get better ideas.
You’ll get more buy-in.
And you’ll create an experience that reflects the full diversity of your church family.
But be strategic in who you invite. Avoid high-maintenance, low-commitment planners. Build your team with people who are low-drama, collaborative, and excited to see the church reach more people.
When the planning team reflects the diversity of your church, the event will too.
3. Encourage Parents to Participate (Not Just Observe)
One of the biggest mistakes churches make at “family” events? Parents sitting on the sidelines while kids participate.
If your goal is family discipleship, then it’s not enough to entertain the kids. You need to create moments where parents lead, engage, and connect with their children.
Think about:
- Removing chairs on the sidelines to encourage movement and interaction
- Designing activities that require adult involvement (like parent-child team games)
- Assigning volunteers to empower parents to guide their kids, not just do it for them
This is where culture shift happens.
You’re not just running events—you’re training parents to see themselves as spiritual leaders in their homes.
It might feel unfamiliar at first. But when parents experience the joy of being part of the moment with their kids, something changes.
4. Balance Fun and Spiritual Depth
Here’s the tension: Go too fun, and your event feels shallow. Go too deep, and you lose half the room.
The solution? Design with both in mind.
The Apostle Paul’s words to the church in Corinth remind us that spiritual maturity varies. Some are ready for meat. Others still need milk. That’s true for kids, teens, adults, and new believers alike.
Your event should:
- Include high-energy moments that create joy and connection
- Offer spaces for spiritual reflection, prayer, or Scripture engagement
- Invite people to experience truth, not just hear it
Don’t settle for either/or. Find ways to create events where fun opens the door to faith, and where spiritual moments don’t feel forced but flow naturally from the shared experience.
5. Try These All-Age Event Ideas
You don’t have to start from scratch. Here are a few proven ideas that help engage parents, kids, and everyone in between:
Family Serve Day
Create hands-on opportunities for families to serve together. Whether it’s assembling care kits, delivering meals, or writing encouragement notes, choose activities that are meaningful, age-appropriate, and collaborative. The result? Families grow in relationship and impact.
Family Game Night
Simple. Low-cost. High-value. From board games to team challenges, this kind of event gets families laughing and connecting without pressure. Want to go deeper? Include short devotionals or table discussion cards that spark faith conversations.
Cook-Off Competition
Everyone loves food—and a little competition! Invite families to work together on a cooking challenge, then share a devotional about meals in Scripture (like Jesus feeding the 5,000 or sharing supper with His disciples). It’s interactive, memorable, and naturally encourages connection.
Bringing It All Together
The goal isn’t to plan the perfect event.
The goal is to create consistent, meaningful opportunities for families to grow together.
When you:
- Design with all generations in mind,
- Include diverse leaders in your planning,
- Invite parents to participate actively,
- And weave together fun and faith…
You don’t just host another church program.
You create culture.
And culture is what shapes discipleship—not just for this week, but for years to come.
The next generation doesn’t need more busy schedules.
They need shared moments that bring faith to life.
Let’s create those moments. Together.