A Whole New World: Creative Theming Pointers for Children’s Areas and Nurseries

To get through to an audience, you must be willing to speak their language. Reaching children is no different.

Many churches have already discovered theming as an effective way to attract unchurched kids to special programs, such as VBS or revivals. Today it isn’t uncommon to see children’s areas decked out in safari or Holy Land themes as part of a special curriculum.

The same enthusiasm created by that temporary environment can be cultivated all year long with permanent theming in the children’s department, whether it’s a more intense portrayal of the aforementioned themes or an exploration of a Biblical story -- Noah’s Ark or The Garden of Eden, for example.

Cases in Point

East Brainerd Church of Christ (Chattanooga, Tenn.)

Visiting the children’s sanctuary of East Brainerd Church of Christ in Chattanooga, Tenn., will take you to downtown ancient Jerusalem. This 360-degree atmosphere incorporates the Temple of Jerusalem, a mural of the sea (complete with a 3-D fishing boat), and classrooms set up as various Biblical shops (“Paul’s Tents and Travel Agency,” “David’s Music Shop,” “Dr. Luke’s Office”).

Each Sunday, when children gather to hear Bible teachings, they look around the sanctuary and feel like they’re actually sitting in the land where those stories took place.

Likewise, when leaders at Atlanta’s Dunwoody Baptist Church brought in professionals to design their “Rally Room,” every detail catered to stimulating the youthful senses. An archway of colorful, wacky characters and objects welcomes children to the area, hinting at the fun that awaits.

Dunwoody Baptist Church (Atlanta, Ga.)  

Next, kids find themselves in a mock movie theater lobby, where they play videogames at the custom-designed terminals or hang out with friends among the movie posters depicting Moses and Jonah and the Whale.

The Rally Room itself, however, provides the most exciting atmosphere. Gospel music bumps from the sound system, and the auditorium sports flashing lights, brightly colored crates, barrels, movie cameras and cartoon hands waving kids toward the stage area, where morning worship service takes place.

Think Smaller

A new challenge arises when designing themes for nurseries: Obviously, infants and toddlers don’t understand -- or perhaps even notice -- the meaning of themes. As such, these spaces are designed to appeal to parents instead. The best ideas reassure them that their little ones will be safe and secure.

This too can be accomplished creatively. Dunwoody Baptist’s nursery, for instance, features a Noah’s Ark design and a wall mural filled with cartoon animals. Parents initially bring their babies to the check-in desk, which appears to be wooden crates of sleeping animals stacked on top of each other.

All 3-D elements like this one were created with safety in mind. No sharp or hard edges were allowed at the toddler level, and no element was created so bulky as to prevent strollers from gaining full access of the room. Instead, this design features soft, hay bale-shaped pillows and barrels placed around the lobby as accents. These serve as props or seats for kids, as well as a temporary playpen when placed end to end to create an enclosure. The result is a fun, colorful room that’s pleasing to adults and safe and stimulating for infants and toddlers.

The Issue of Money

While it’s a good idea to hire a professional theming company for more complex projects, there are plenty of opportunities to theme your space on a budget. Most theming companies are experienced in dealing with financial constraints and can be quite creative. Muraling, for example, can be just as effective as 3-D fabricated elements, but more economical, especially when done by one of the artists in the congregation.

Even with larger projects, there are ways to cut costs. In East Brainerd Church’s “Jerusalem Room,” for instance, leaders wanted the sanctuary ceiling to be painted like a sky. Since the budget was tight, volunteers from the church created a large cloth canopy, painted it sky blue and covered it with millions of glow-in-the-dark splatters. When the lights are off, it looks like a star-filled night sky.

Additionally, volunteers can paint basecoats, lay carpet and make posters and furniture.

Whether you find yourself eating in an old country store, staying overnight in a tropical cabana, or shopping at a mall with rollercoasters and a ferris wheel, theming is increasingly becoming a standard experience in our society. Churches can maximize this exciting art form in positive, economical ways to attract children to their programs.

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Rick Baldwin (pictured) is the owner and creative director of Outta Toon Scenic Studio in Chattanooga, Tenn. To see more of his work, visit www.outtatoon.com .