Teaching preschoolers how to pray doesn’t have to be complicated. At this age, children are just learning that prayer is simply talking to God—and they can talk to Him about anything! With simple visuals and hands-on activities, you can help children begin to understand different ways to pray, like saying thank you, praising God, asking for help, and even saying “I’m sorry.”
In this post, you’ll find easy, low-prep activities and printables to help you introduce prayer in a way young children can understand. These ideas give children concrete examples of what they can pray about and help build confidence as they begin practicing prayer in your classroom or at home.
Prayer Wheel
To make the Prayer Wheel, print the two pages for each child.
Cut out the two circles. (You may choose to pre-cut them or have children cut along the lines.)
Place the top wheel (the one with the window/slot) on top of the bottom wheel (the one with the pictures of ways to pray). Make sure the pictures are hidden underneath.
Use a pencil point to poke a hole in the center of both circles. Fasten the wheels together with a metal brad.
Children can turn the wheel to reveal one picture at a time. As each picture appears, encourage them to say a simple prayer for that category.
Optional teacher tip:
Model a short prayer for each section, such as:
- “God, please bless my family.”
- “Thank you for my friends.” “Help me to be a kind friend to others.”
- “Please help my friend Joey who is in the hospital.”
“Ways to Pray” Banner
This banner is a simple, visual way to introduce children to different ways we can pray. Display it in your classroom and point to each picture as you talk through the four types of prayer: thanking God, praising God, asking for help, and saying “I’m sorry.”
Invite children to share ideas for each category (for example, what they are thankful for or who needs help). You can also model short, simple prayers for each one.
This set can also be used as a craft. Children can color the pieces, cut them out, and assemble their own banner to take home and use during prayer time.
“Ways to Pray” Chart
Use this simple chart to introduce children to different ways we can pray: thanking God, praising God, asking for help, and saying “I’m sorry.” Display it during your lesson and point to each picture as you talk through the categories together.
Children can color the chart as you discuss ideas for each type of prayer. This page can also be sent home to help families continue the conversation and practice prayer together.
Prayer Bible Verse
This Bible verse about prayer can be copied for each child. Use it as a memory verse, or use as a discussion prompt.
Praise Chart
This chart shows children ways to praise God. Children probably know about praying to ask God for things they want or help they need, but they might not be as familiar with how to pray to give God praise. This chart helps prompt discussions about ways to praise Him.
Prayer Journal
Print the cover and journal pages for each child. You can use the journal daily for a short unit, once a week throughout the year, or in any way that fits your class routine.
At the top of each page, children circle a picture to show what they want to pray about (such as family, friends, church, the world, people who are sick or hurt, helpers, or praise). Then they draw a picture to represent their prayer. Older children can also write words or a simple sentence about their prayer.
Download: Journal Cover & Page
“Prayer” Little Book
This black-and-white printable book is designed for children to color and take home. Each page introduces a simple prayer topic, such as family, friends, the world, people who are hurt or sick, church and pastor, and so on.
Children can color each page as you read through the book together and talk about what it means to pray for others. Encourage them to say a short prayer for each page as they complete it.
Once assembled, the book becomes a meaningful take-home resource that helps children remember what they can pray for and gives families an opportunity to continue practicing prayer at home.
Full Size Book in Color
This is the same book as the “Little Book”, but this one is in full color and full size.
Clipart by Kari Bolt.