Play in the classroom, especially on a Sunday morning, can sometimes feel like a new idea or even a different approach than what many of us experienced growing up. But often, growth requires us to rethink what we have always done.

Before stepping into children’s ministry, I spent eight years teaching preschool, and that is where I truly fell in love with play. I watched children create, grow, and explore all at their own pace. I saw it not only in the classroom, but in my own children as well. Mister Rogers says it best: “Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.”

There was a time I believed children needed a structured schedule. Ten minutes for circle time, ten minutes for blocks, fifteen minutes for snack, and twenty minutes outside. It felt organized and productive. But over time, I began to see something different. When children were given more freedom within clear boundaries, they became more engaged, more curious, and more connected to their learning.

So, what does play actually look like in a Sunday morning classroom?

It does not mean chaos or a lack of structure. It looks like a creative space intentionally designed for children to move, explore, and engage at their own pace. The classroom is intentionally set up with the children and lesson in mind, offering hands-on activities like sensory tables, building materials, books, and process art. Instead of rotating through timed centers, children choose where they go and how long they stay.

The role of the teacher shifts, too. Instead of leading every moment from the front of the room, teachers walk alongside the children. They ask questions, join in conversations, and gently guide learning back to the Bible story, verse, or truth for the day. The learning is still intentional. It just looks different.

Music plays in the background. A child might be building with blocks while talking about the story. Another may bring you a book to read. These moments are not distractions from learning. They are the learners.

Research consistently shows that play is how young children learn best. When we minimize transitions, like pulling everyone to the rug for lesson time or moving quickly from one center to another, we give children the opportunity to engage more deeply. Instead of rushing, they settle in. Instead of being redirected, they stay focused. We begin to see learning happen at each child’s own pace.

Timed centers, while well-intentioned, can often interrupt meaningful play. Imagine being in the middle of something you are really enjoying and being told to stop before you are ready. That is what it can feel like for children. When we remove some of that pressure, we often see less frustration and more connection.

Adding play into a Sunday classroom does not have to happen all at once. Start small. Add a sensory table or a simple art invitation. Look at your schedule and consider removing just one transition. Allow space for children to linger in their learning a little longer.

This approach is not about removing structure. It is about creating a different kind of structure. One that is responsive, intentional, and centered around how children actually learn.

At the heart of it all, we are creating a space where children feel safe, connected, and known. A space where they want to come back each week. We are planting seeds, building foundations, and trusting that God is at work in the middle of it all.

Because when children are given the space to play, they are not stepping away from learning about God. They are stepping deeper into it.

Andrea McCormick Miller is a children’s ministry director and early childhood educator with over 14 years of experience advocating for play-based, child-led learning. She is passionate about creating environments where children can explore, wonder, and grow through play, and she views play as her ministry. Andrea enjoys developing curriculum and resources for children and families in her ministry. She is a wife and mother of three who loves spending time with her family. Andrea also loves spending time outdoors and finding joy in the little things.