Countryside Kids

Small Groups for ages 3 years – Elementary School meet on Sundays from 9:45-10:3045 (Sunday after Labor Day through the Sunday before Memorial Day).

Preschool/Kindergarten* students meet in Room 203, where their classroom leaders will guide them in a Bible story, age-appropriate activities and/or crafts, and free play time.

Elementary students* head to Room 210 (the gathering room) for a Bible story (typically through video), snack, and a variety of games and activities that connect back to the story for the week.

*SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT KINDERGARTEN:
Families of kindergarten students may choose between our early childhood small group or our early elementary small group. The preschool room includes developmentally appropriate lessons for younger children and free play time – perfect for students with lots of energy and creativity. The elementary room will be more structured, with fun games and crafts to reinforce the Bible story.

*SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT 6TH GRADE:
We recognize that 6th grade is middle school in some districts and elementary school in others. Kids in this age group are invited to choose when they are ready to move up to youth group. During 6th grade, they are welcome to participate in elementary programming, youth programming, or a combination of the two.

Worship Together Sundays are an important part of our programming. It is important for kids to experience worship and to see their grown-ups in worship. On Worship Together Sundays, childcare is still available for our youngest disciples from 9:45-noon, but children’s programs do not meet.

2026-27 Worship Together Sundays include: August 30 (Sunday Funday, one service at 10am), September 6 (Labor Day weekend), November 29 (Thanksgiving weekend), December 27 (church is online only), January 3, March 28 (Easter Sunday), Serve Sunday (spring 2027), and May 30 (Memorial Day weekend).

Students in elementary school are invited to join Children’s Chapel during 11:00 worship (meets Sunday after Labor Day through the Sunday before Memorial Day).

Check-in outside the education wing upon arrival at Countryside. Once checked in, elementary students head to the sanctuary to participate in opening worship. Students may sit with their family/adults or sit in pews with Countryside Kids Crew Leaders. Experiencing worship with a grown up is important for this age group, so Children’s Chapel is structured to allow kids time in worship along with some time with a developmentally appropriate Bible story and fellowship time.

After the children’s message, all students will leave and head out for Children’s Chapel in Room 209. During chapel time, students will follow a monthly theme where we engage in a Bible story through a variety of activities and crafts. The 11:00 chapel uses the same Bible story and activities as 9:45 elementary small groups. Parents and guardians should plan to pick students up from this room at noon.

Worship Together Sundays are an important part of our programming. It is important for kids to experience worship and to see their grown ups in worship. On Worship Together Sundays, childcare is still available for our youngest disciples from 9:35-noon, but children’s programs do not meet.

2026-27 Worship Together Sundays include: August 30 (Sunday Funday, one service at 10am), September 6 (Labor Day weekend), November 29 (Thanksgiving weekend), December 27 (church is online only), January 3, March 28 (Easter Sunday), Serve Sunday (spring 2027), and May 30 (Memorial Day weekend).

Wednesdays for Kids, our mid-week programming, is available from 6:00 to 7:30 pm for students in 1st-5th grade most weeks beginning after Labor Day and running through April. (See exceptions below.)

Visit the check-in station, then head to our big gathering area (Room 210) in the upper level of the education wing (doors open at 5:50). At Wednesdays for Kids, kids join in worship, games, Bible stories, bell rehearsals, and more! Parents/guardians can pick their student up at 7:30 pm.

If you have not completed a registration form for this year, please complete one prior to attending your first Wednesdays for Kids.

• First Semester 2026: Meets weekly from September 9 to December 2.  We will NOT meet on October 28 or November 25. December 2 is a tentative rehearsal for our Countryside Kids Christmas Worship service (kids lead 9:45 worship on Sunday, December 6).
• Second Semester 2027: Meets weekly from January 20 to April 28. We will NOT meet on February 10 (Family Ash Wednesday Worship at 6pm), March 17 (Spring Break), March 24 (Holy Week).

Countryside United Methodist Church offers Child Care for our youngest disciples, children ages 6 weeks through 5 years old/Kindergarten. These services are provided on Sunday mornings from 9:45 to 12:00 and for some weeknight activities when arranged/requested by group leaders. Care is provided by our trained and certified staff who want to share God’s love to the highest degree as they care for your children in a safe, warm, welcoming environment.

WHAT TO EXPECT: When bringing your children to childcare, please stop first at our Children’s Check-In Area just outside the education wing. If you are visiting for the first time, be sure to check in with a phone number that will be accessible, as our staff will use your check-in for contact information should they need to reach you.

Once checked in, take your child to Room 116 where our childcare staff will be ready to welcome you. Please make sure any diaper bags or essential items your child needs are labeled. Please keep your phones on vibrate so that our staff can reach you if necessary. When worship or Sunday School concludes, pick up your child from Room 116.

CHILDCARE OUTSIDE OF SUNDAY MORNINGS: If not already provided during your group’s meeting time, please request child care by submitting this form. Requests must be submitted at least 2 weeks prior to the meeting or event.

PLEASE NOTE: This form is only for Countryside UMC Church events. Visit the Countryside Child Development Center for inquiries and further information about weekday childcare and preschool opportunities.

For adults who want to worship with their children, a variety of tools are available to assist children and their grown-ups with the worship experience. Children are able to create their own worship bag to use in the sanctuary with coloring pages, toys and books to look at during worship. Also available at this station are noise-reducing headphones for kids sensitive to loud music. Special worship bulletins that tie into the day’s sermon are also available for students in preschool-6th grade. A special children’s message video is also shared at the beginning of each worship service.

We also offer a special Family Worship Room along the main sanctuary hall. This room streams the worship service and offers rocking chairs and comfortable seating for parents, along with toys, books, and a small slide for children who need to move during worship. Additionally, our fellowship area includes a coffee bar with a variety of options (including hot cocoa) and another seating area where the 9:45 and 11:00 am services are streamed.

Changing tables are available in restrooms throughout the facility, including both the men’s and women’s restrooms outside the sanctuary.

Students, teachers, administrators, and educational support staff are invited to bring their backpacks to worship at the 9:45 or 11:00 worship service on Sunday, August 9. Everyone will be invited to come up front for a special blessing of the backpacks during our children’s message.

Sunday Funday is our churchwide Fall Kickoff celebration! All ages join in worship at 10am (childcare is available for children ages 0-Kindergarten). Immediately following worship, join the party for some carnival fun and food in the Celebration Center! Leaders from various ministries will lead stations where you can play games and learn about opportunities at Countryside for the 2026-27 school year.

We can’t wait to celebrate our Kindergarten & Third Grade students in worship at 11:00 on Sunday, September 27. Kids will come to the front with a sibling or grown-up to receive a special Bible. If you student is not ready to stand in front of the congregation, we would love to recognize them and provide them with a Bible.

TAP HERE to sign up your kindergarten or third grade student by September 20.

Grab your friends and family and join us for some pizza and Bible Olympic games! Have fun while helping our younger friends explore their Bibles! 

SIGN UP if you plan to attend. If there is not enough interest by September 20, this event will not occur this year.

Bring your pets for a special blessing of the animals! This event is outdoors only.

Bring your kids for some fall fun or consider hosting a trunk! Contact Paul Swank if you would like to provide a trunk and look for further details in church publications.

Daylight Savings Time ends today, so make the morning easier and bring your kids as they are in their PJs! Don’t forget to turn your clocks back an hour!

Prepare your hearts for the upcoming start of Advent! Create something you can use for Advent, decorate the church, and enjoy a spot of soup! Stay as long as you are able.

Students in 4th and 5th grade are invited to experience a youth event by joining Late Night Game Night! Bring a friend and your nerf toys (darts will be provided, so leave your own darts at home) for an evening of fun! (NOTE: 4th and 5th grade students are invited to part of the evening  – the youth will continue past 8pm.)

Kids will be leading a special lessons and carols service on Sunday, December 6 at 9:45am. Please keep Wednesday, December 2 available for a possible run through at 6pm and watch for further details in the Countryside Kids newsletter.  NOTE: Small Groups and Chapel will NOT meet this week.

Look for more details in church communications.

Join us in worship on Christmas Eve! Each worship service offers a children’s message, special worship bags for the kids, and electric candles for children not yet ready for a real candle. 2pm features our contemporary music team, 5pm features our Soulfull Singers and 8pm features our sanctuary choir.

Experience the joy of Candlelight Christmas Eve at Countryside!

Kids are invited to arrive a little early on February 7 and 14 to help collect canned goods before worship! Countryside Kids works with our Mission Team to coordinate

Join us for a family friendly Ash Wednesday service in the sanctuary. Open to all ages, this 30-45 minute long service guides all ages to the start of the Lenten season.

Springing forward for Daylight Savings Time is hard! Make the morning easier by letting your kids wear pajamas to church today! Don’t forget to change your clocks!

Join us for a family Easter celebration that includes crafts, snacks, activities and more! Drop by anytime between 10-11:30am for some Easter themed fun. A non-competitive egg hunt runs all morning.

Kids ages 3 years through entering 6th grade are invited to join the fun at Vacation Bible Camp! Students are placed in age based small groups and spend each morning participating in stations such as crafts, science experiments, snack, music, games and more! Registration opens in early spring!