On Aug. 2, 2024, LifeBridge Church held its first-ever Kids Summer Fest in University Place. Although initially intended and planned for 200–300 participants, more than 1,000 people attended.
The idea for the event stemmed from the church’s desire to intentionally connect with local families in a deep and meaningful way. To provide a connection point, Kids Summer Fest 2024 was initiated. Though an event like this is often thought of as secular entertainment, this event was anything but that. It was intentionally designed to embed spirituality and biblical principles in a fun, positive environment.
Kids Summer Fest was action packed with a bounce house, live petting zoo, games, live music and food. Upon arrival at the registration booth, attendees discovered that each festival station was part of the Creation Challenge with an activity for each day of creation.
Day 1: Light
Kids learned about light refraction and played with bubbles while waiting in line to get their pictures taken at a photo booth.
Day 2: Air
Kids enjoyed God’s gift of air by jumping in a bounce house.
Day 3: Plants and Trees
Kids created a nature craft and chose to go on a nature scavenger hunt.
Day 4: Sun and Moon
Kids got their faces painted and enjoyed launching a rocket into the sky.
Day 5: Birds and Fish
Kids played a fish game and listened to a ventriloquist share a story about this creation day.
Day 6a: Animals
Families enjoyed a petting zoo with sheep, goats, rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens, quail, a camel, an alpaca, a duck and a tortoise.
Day 6b: People
Kids learned about organs and parts of the body by creating people using Play-Doh and clay.
Day 7: Rest, Relationships and Worship
Families experienced Sabbath through rest, relationships and worship with live music and snack booths. Here they gathered, watched Handy Andy perform, heard words of blessing and found out if they won one of the grand prizes.
At the end of each activity, an activity paper was stamped. When all eight stamps were collected, a raffle ticket was given to participants for a chance to win services, gift cards and items donated from local businesses.
The first Kids Summer Fest was an amazing experience and an intentional bridge event that let the community know LifeBridge Church is here to serve and support their emotional, social and spiritual needs. From this event, one family began attending worship gatherings and connected with a small parenting group. As the Kids Summer Fest event continues to be a part of the cycle of evangelism, it will be exciting to see what the harvest cycle has to bring the rest of this year and the years to come.
While learning about creation, participants learned about the body as they created people with Play-Doh and clay.
Upon arrival, kids received a stamp sheet for each station so they could earn a prize.
Kids learned about God creating the sun and moon at the fourth station.
Kids Summer Fest serves as a bridge from LifeBridge Church to the community.
One family began attending worship gatherings and connected with a small parenting group after Summer Kids Fest.
