Prayground

With the enthusiastic support of the Session and the Board, in Feb 2026 Grace installed a prayground at the front of our sanctuary, providing a flexible worship area for children and their families.

What is a Prayground?

• An intentional worship space for children (target age 3-8) and their parents in the front of the sanctuary
• Instead of pews, there are child-sized tables, chairs, and floor area for smaller children/babies
• Children use interactive tools to connect with the worship service
• In our prayground you may find items like:
  • "prayers of the children" white board
  • instruments and ribbon wands to sing and move along with the music
  • soft "toys" to help kids play along with communion, baptism, Advent wreath lighting, etc.
  • coloring and activities related to the scripture and sermon

How does it work?

• Parents are encouraged to sit in the front pew with arms reach to the children's area. This area is not viewable on our livestream (except during the children's message) and is minimally visible to the congregation since the children's tables are lower than the pews.
• We expect kids to move around a little and whisper from time to time, but by being up front and feeling more included in the service, we've found they're quite engaged and quiet so far!
• You're welcome to sit in the prayground any time there is worship, but the prayground is most used during the first 20 minutes of worship up until the children's message. We continue to offer an infant/toddler nursery, play 'n' worship, and Bridges to Worship classes after the children's message. Children may also sit in prayground longer on communion Sundays and summers when our children's classes take scheduled breaks.

 

Why a Prayground?

There are so many reasons that our Children's Discipleship team, over months of prayer and discussion, discerned that this type of space is what we are called to offer families! We have also experienced enthusiasm and support from our staff, our worship committee, board, and the Session. And of course, many of our families!

• Our Beliefs: Jesus said, "let the children come to me" and spoke highly of childlike faith. Whenever a child is baptized at Grace, the congregation promises to nurture them in the faith, and this is one small way to honor the baptismal vows we make.
• Hospitality: A prayground communicates hospitality to children and families. As soon as you walk in the door, you see that children and families are at the heart of what we do at Grace.
• Formation: The prayground helps kids learn to be in “big church.” As children are invited to engage with the main worship service, they'll be more prepared to connect to what's going on when they "graduate" from our children's programs.
• Supporting families: Families who would like to can worship together while having kid-friendly activities. There are many reasons parents may wish to keep their children with them in the service: visiting families who don't want a new nursery every week, kids with separation anxiety, or parents who work all week.
• Enhancing worship for all: The prayground is a joyful expression of intergenerational worship for the whole congregation. When we see children engaged in worship we rejoice at the way God works in our lives; we learn from children how to worship wholeheartedly, even as they also learn from adults.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Why in the world would we put a bunch of kids up front? Isn't it noisy? Kids are short. Putting them in the front communicates that worship is for them -- not just for grown-ups. It allows them to see and hear better, and actually makes them quieter. Also- since the tables are low, they’re really not visible. Families are not on display nor on camera!

Does this replace current children’s programming (Bridges to Worship, Play ‘n’ Worship, etc.? No! We love our children's classes and continue them.

What if I'm a parent and I don't want my kids up there? No problem! This is just an option, and some families, and children, may prefer to stay in their pews at the back! But if you're worried about how your child will be in the space, you may be surprised! Maybe give it a try someday and see what happens.

What about funerals and weddings? Tables, shelf, and all items in the Prayground are removable upon request for these special services.