The Power of Play in a Toddler’s Heart
Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. -Proverbs 22:6 (NLT)
As Christian parents, one of our deepest desires is to pass on our faith to our children. We long to see them grow into people who know and love the Lord, who carry his Word in their hearts, and who live according to his truth. But how do we begin this sacred work when our children are so little, still learning to speak in full sentences, to share toys, and to regulate their emotions?
The answer may be simpler – and more joyful – than we think: we start with play.
Play is the language of toddlers. It’s how they explore, experiment, and understand the world around them. When we step into their world of play, we not only bond with them, but we also open a door to their hearts. And when we fill that space with the truths of God’s Word, we begin planting seeds of faith that can grow throughout their lives.
Let’s explore how to intentionally use play to teach toddlers biblical truths – rooted in scripture, guided by love, and filled with fun.
Why Play Matters in Spiritual Formation
Play is not a distraction from learning – it is learning. According to early childhood development experts, play enhances cognitive, emotional, social, and spiritual development.1 And for toddlers, the most effective teaching happens not in structured lessons, but in the midst of everyday moments – when their hands are busy and their hearts are open.
Jesus himself welcomed children with open arms. In Mark 10:14, he said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.” He didn’t demand theological understanding or perfect behaviour – he simply invited them to come.
If Jesus made intentional space for children in his ministry, so should we in our parenting. By using play to share the gospel and God’s love, we follow Christ’s example of meeting children where they are.
Foundational Biblical Truths Toddlers Can Grasp
Before diving into specific play ideas, let’s consider the core biblical truths toddlers are capable of understanding. While their ability to grasp abstract theology is limited, their capacity for trust, joy, and spiritual curiosity is profound.
Here are five foundational truths even young toddlers can begin to learn:
1. God made me.
So God created human beings in his own image… male and female he created them.” -Genesis 1:27 (NLT)
Through play, we can affirm their identity and worth as God’s creation.
2. God loves me.
But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. -Romans 5:8 (NLT)
Toddlers thrive when they feel safe and loved – and we can teach them about God’s unconditional love.
3. Jesus is my friend.
Now you are my friends… -John 15:15 (NLT)
Jesus as a loving friend is an accessible and comforting idea for toddlers.
4. The Bible is God’s Word
All Scripture is inspired by God… –2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT)
Even toddlers can learn to revere the Bible as a special book that God gave them to learn about him.
5. I can talk to God.
Never stop praying. -1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NLT)
Simple prayers during play help normalize communication with God.
These truths serve as the foundation for the kinds of play we’ll explore next.
Practical Ways to Use Play to Teach Biblical Truths
1. Pretend Play: Acting Out Bible Stories
Toddlers love role play – and the Bible is full of dramatic, visual stories perfect for acting out.
- David and Goliath: Use blocks or an empty box as a “giant” and soft toys or rolled up socks for stones. Emphasize David’s trust in God (1 Samuel 17).
- Noah’s Ark: Gather animal toys, use an empty box as the ark, and talk about God’s faithfulness (Genesis 6-9).
- Feeding the 5,000: Use play food to act out Jesus sharing with the crowd (John 6:1-14), reinforcing the idea that God provides.
Keep it simple. Toddlers don’t need all the details right away – just the key elements and someone they trust reminding them, “Jesus is powerful,” or “God takes care of us.”
2. Sensory Play: Experiencing God’s Creation
Sensory play helps toddlers explore God’s world and fosters wonder. Try:
- Water play to explore the concept of baptism (Matthew 3:16)
- Sand play to talk about God’s promise to Abraham: “beyond number, like… the sand on the seashore.” (Genesis 22:17)
- Nature walks collecting leaves, rocks, or flowers while reciting Psalm 104:24 – “O Lord, what a variety of things you have made!”
As they engage their senses, you can gently remind them, “God made this,” or, “Thank you, God, for this flower!”
3. Art and Crafts: Creating to Reflect the Creator
Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! -Genesis 1:31 (NLT)
When toddlers create art, they mirror God’s creativity. Use this time to reinforce that we are made in his image.
- Finger painting to talk about how God made us unique (Psalm 139:14).
- Bible story crafts (e.g. rainbow craft after reading about Noah) to tie visual storytelling with truth.
- Prayer journals with scribbles and stickers to “show” God.
It’s not about neat results – it’s about the process of connecting creativity with spiritual identity.
4. Music and Movement: Joyful Praise
Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! -Psalm 100:1 (NLT)
Toddlers love to sing and move. Use music to plant Scripture in their hearts:
- Sing Scripture-themed songs like “Jesus Loves Me” or “This Little Light of Mine.”
- Listen to artists who have recorded Scripture set to music for children, like Slugs & Bugs or The Corner Room.
- Use instruments like shakers or tambourines to praise God (Psalm 149:3).
- Add hand motions or dance to help them engage physically with worship.
This not only teaches truth and helps to build a habit of worship, but also helps them associate joy and fun with God.
5. Routine Building: Making Faith a Daily Habit
Biblical teaching doesn’t need to be a separate activity. Incorporate spiritual truths into daily routines:
- Bath time: Talk about how Jesus makes us clean and new (2 Corinthians 5:17).
- Bedtime: Read a toddler Bible story and pray together (Deuteronomy 6:7).
- Snack time: Practice gratitude with a short prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
Every ordinary moment can become holy when we invite God into it.
Letting Go of Perfection and Embracing Presence
As parents, we can sometimes feel pressure to do everything “right” – to say the perfect words, to make every moment educational, to see instant spiritual fruit. But toddlers are not looking for perfection. They’re looking for presence.
The most powerful thing you can do is to be intentionally available – emotionally, physically, and spiritually. When your child senses that you delight in them, it becomes easier for them to believe that God delights in them too.
Remember the words of Deuteronomy 6:5-7:
And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you todaay. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.
This rhythm of discipleship is not about perfection, but persistence. Not about performance, but presence. Just keep showing up. Keep playing. Keep planting seeds.
Growing Little Hearts Toward God
Play is not just an activity – it’s a ministry. Through blocks and bubbles, songs and stories, crafts and cuddles, you are building a foundation of faith in your toddler’s heart.
They may not yet understand the doctrine of salvation or the meaning of the cross, but they can learn – right now – that God is good, that they are loved, and that they are never alone.
So play. Sing. Dance. Splash. Build. Paint. Laugh. And in the midst of it all, whisper his name. Open the Bible. Tell the stories. Invite Jesus into the living room, the sandbox, the bathtub.
Because one day, the seeds planted in these simple, sacred moments will bloom.
Let the children come to me… For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. –Mark 10:14 (NLT)
- Whole Child Neurodevelopment Group. (2022). How play supports cognitive, emotional, and social development in children. Whole Child Neuro. ↩︎