[Pressing-On]

Welcome, Sarrah! I think you will find some things that work for you on Amazon typing in Children's Church Curriculum. The feature here is that most of the choices have the option to "Look inside". So, you can review to see if what you are viewing fits what you have in mind. I especially like anything put out by Gospel Light.

If you have been working with children for any length of time, you probably have a host of supplies and props that can be easily incorporated into any lesson you pick up. For instance, I use costumes and have the children act out all of the Bible stories. I never just read a lesson to them. They must be involved to remember anyway.

I find game ideas online and incorporate that into the scripture memorization portion of a lesson, i.e. writing a scripture on a pre-cut design of a round pizza and having them put the pizza together. Any local pizza restaurant is always happy to give you a few boxes to put the forms in - boys racing against the girls. Putting portions of the verse in separate balloons, two colors for boys and girls, race to pop them, find the slips of paper and get the verse worked out. Active games like that go over very well.

Good music which can include incorporating hand motions or other actions.

Awesome artwork in acrylic paint. And there is a huge difference in applying a layer or two of clearcoat after you paint. It's looks more complete. I use queen sheets or drop cloths for my backgrounds - putting foil underneath to catch the wet paint. It peels right off when you are finished and you save your work table. White butcher paper works great to rolls up a scene and store away. Posterboard for smaller objects. Most of the people you draw will not normally be larger than two posterboards. That's easy to take down and store.

Incorporating a way to win a prize throughout the curriculum is always good because then the children will invite their friends and neighbors, making it easier on you to get more coming. They are learning something to win the prize, so it is no freebie.

Always having a snack at the end of the program is a big deal to me. Somehow food is always a winner.

Whatever is uplifting and positive, that's the way to go. That doesn't mean there won't be times to address issues like sin and it's ramifications, but overall, putting Jesus in the role of Savior more than the Judge is a good thing.

I think that Standard Publishing comes across as more Trinitarian in it's wording. JMO.

I am sure you are already doing all of these things, but just wanted to add some things that have been successful for me.