Central Kids

At Central, we believe kids have an active role in the church. Following Jesus’ example in Matthew 19, we welcome all kids to be involved in the life of the church as they build their faith and learn what it means to worship. Our staff and volunteers are excited to partner with parents, guardians, and church members to encourage kids to build the foundation of and continue to grow in their faith. 

Contact Erika Regier with any questions you may have. We cannot wait to welcome your child to Central! 

Weekly Program and Special Events

Sunday Mornings 
Join us for Sunday School each week at 10 a.m. in Building D (formerly known as the Student Ministries Building) on the 2nd floor. 
Our kids' Sunday school classes are using Grow curriculum. Grow is a curriculum designed to help kids and teenagers deepen their relationship with God, others, and the adults around them. Each week, they engage with Biblical truth through creative teaching and meaningful discussions that connect scripture to their lives. Over the course of the year, they practice four key spiritual habits: personal spiritual disciplines, Christlike community, serving others, and sharing their faith. This approach encourages both spiritual growth and practical action in their daily lives. 
All children are included in our worship services on Sunday mornings. While childcare is offered from 8:30-Noon on Sundays for ages 0-PreK, we intentionally include all ages into worship. In each service you will find elements intentionally designed for children to engage in an age-appropriate manner.  
  • Our Kids Bulletins are specifically designed for kids to follow along with what is happening during the service. These are tucked into our Worship Bags and the ushers have extras alongside the adult bulletins.  
  • Worship Bags are available in both services as well. These include fidgets, crayons, and a Kids Bulletin. Please be sure to return these to the stand after service so that they can be utilized each week.  
  • The Prayground is available during the 9:00 Contemporary service. This is a space located at the front of our worship space, designed specifically for kids who need a little more wiggle room. You’ll find toys, books, coloring, and other ways kids can be themselves while being in worship. We ask that grown-ups of kids utilizing the Prayground to sit in the row of chairs next to the Prayground itself.  
  • Kids Bibles can be found alongside Hymnals in the pews in our 11:00 Classic service! This is just another way that our Kids can follow along during the Scripture reading and sermon.  
Wednesday Nights
Join us for Club K6 from 6-7:30 p.m. in Building D (formerly known as the Student Ministries Building) on the 2nd floor. Club K6 uses the Spark Rotation curriculum, a dynamic, hands-on learning that engages children with the Bible through eight different workshops. The curriculum emphasizes interactive learning, offering opportunities for kids to explore Scripture through games, technology, experiments, and creative expression. This approach helps children engage deeply with the Bible while having fun and building meaningful connections.  

Our all-new Wednesday Night programming for kids grades K-6. This year, we will have games, music, and fun studies. We will meet in the Student Ministries Building on the 2nd floor from 6-7:30 p.m. Register Here.

Special Events
Each year, Central Kids is engaged in a variety of Special Events geared towards engaging local kids with our church! Many of these happen in conjunction with other ministries in the NextGen umbrella. Follow along on social media, text reminders, and eNews for more specifics about these events.  
Special Events include: 
  • Backpack Blessings 
  • Back to School Bash 
  • Milestone Bibles 
  • Trunk-or-Treat 
  • Kids Christmas Movie 
  • Family Style Christmas Eve Service 
  • Easter Egg Hunt 
  • Vacation Bible School (VBS) 

Erika Regier

Director of Children's Ministries

Kids in Worship

All are welcome!

At Central we believe children should be welcomed and included in Sunday morning worship. Children, their wiggles, and their squeals are welcome in both of our worship services. Both services have children's bulletins and busy bags at their entrances. We encourage families to use these resources as needed. 

To support their engagement in our Contemporary Worship, we offer a Prayground! This space is intentionally designed for kids and littles to worship in their own way. At the front right of the worship space, you will notice a rug, some books and toys, and child-sized chairs. This space is designated for kids and littles to explore during the service. The location allows participants to see the worship band and preacher easily. The row of chairs immediately behind the Prayground is reserved for parents of those utilizing the space.  

Connect with Us

Volunteer

Kid's ministry can never have enough volunteers. We need weekly teachers for Sunday School and Club K6, as well as helpers, to guide children from one space to another or pitch in where needed.  Vacation Bible School is also a great place to connect with our students. You could spend an hour to 4 hours each day helping in a wide variety of ways. Click below to let Erika know you would like to volunteer with Central Kids.

Click Here

We Love Our Library
Little Free Library: 
The "Little Free Library" on Dickson Street at Central UMC is a community-driven resource designed to support kids' growth in mind, body, and spirit. It offers a space where families can donate or swap books, as well as contribute non-perishable food items to help meet children’s needs for nourishment and stability. Carefully selected books fill the library, sparking a love for reading while promoting literacy. This initiative creates a meaningful way for the community to support kids by providing both educational resources and essential food. 
 

Clearstream

To get reminders about all things Central Kids straight to your phone, text “kidsparent” to 479-349-2400. We use this to send information and reminders about Sunday School, Club K6, and any special events coming up! If you ever have a question, you can reply to the same number! Your response goes to an inbox seen only by our Kids and Youth directors, where either of them can respond quickly to answer any question you may have.  

Safe Gatherings

Background check and Security

Safe Gatherings is a comprehensive system that incorporates an online application, online abuse prevention training, several levels of background checks, and paperless reference checks for people who volunteer or are employed with churches, schools, and organizations that serve or work with children, youth, and vulnerable adults. Safe Gatherings also provides access to Clergy and Ministerial Ethics training, a two-hour online course that covers the top ethical and congregational boundary issues faced today by clergy and other ministry leaders.

Instructions for Completing Safe Gatherings