Kids & Family Articles and Interviews
Read articles and interviews on parenting, spiritual growth for kids, and family discipleship, brought to you by IVP Extra.
The Gift of Playing Together as a Family
Brianna Lambert is the author of Created to Play, a book about embracing rest and joy through hobbies. Brianna reveals the ways God blesses our hobbies and uses them to form us and pull us into worship. Keep reading to find out how to apply these ideas together as a family.
Presence and Play
In this article, author and illustrator Betony Coons explores how her children's book, The Unwinding Path, draws on the ancient practice of the labyrinth to help children move from the energy of the day into a peaceful awareness of God's presence, especially at bedtime. Keep reading for a reflection on the gift of helping little ones unwind into rest knowing they are deeply loved and held.
Trusting God When You’re Afraid of the Dark
If you’ve ever faced a tearful bedtime battle, you’re not alone. Nighttime can stir up big emotions in little ones. But Rachel Joy Welcher, author of Charlie Can’t Sleep!, invites parents and caregivers to see bedtime struggles in a new light. When little ones resist the dark or fear being alone, these moments can become gentle opportunities to teach our children about God’s constant presence.
There Are No Ideal Families
Theologian Emily McGowin casts a holistic vision for what family can be in light of God's kingdom. She says, “No matter what your family looks like—big or small, biological or chosen, with children or without, homeschooling or public-schooling, multiple incomes or one or none—ask the following together every morning: How will Jesus by his Spirit teach us to love today?”
From a Mother’s Heart to the World: Tara Hackney on Rewriting a Timeless Classic for Today's Children
In this heartfelt interview, Tara shares how she reimagined the classic song to celebrate the unique and intentional way each child is created. Keep reading to learn how she invites families everywhere to join in spreading the timeless message that every child is perfectly made and perfectly loved.
Four Ideas for Family Prayer
Prayer can be daunting as a parent and as a family because what can be more intimate and vulnerable than opening ourselves with humility, hope, and honesty to the all-knowing, all-seeing God of the universe? Inspired by Kaylee Prays for the Children of the World, here are four ideas for how you can lean into the lessons of the book and create a culture of prayer in your own family.
A Conversation with the Author of "Saint Valentine the Kindhearted"
Listen in on this conversation with "Saint Valentine the Kindhearted" author Ned Bustard, as he shares insight into how this book came about.
“God Gives Good Gifts to Everyone”
What good gifts has God given your children? Amy and Rob Dixon, authors of the IVP Kids book "Penny Preaches," help parents and caregivers discern, embrace, and cultivate the vocational giftings of the children in their lives.
Helping Children Understand Lent through the Lens of Love
How can we discuss love in a way that makes sense to children? Ned Bustard, author of "Saint Valentine the Kindhearted," believes that the timing of Valentine's Day near the beginning of Lent offers the perfect opportunity to engage with your kids about the magnificent and unconditional love of God.
How Terence & Zion Lester Are Mobilizing Youth to Serve Their Communities
Youth and teen activism are driving change on a global scale! How can families take action in their communities together? In this interview with Terence Lester and his daughter, Zion, we see how parents and caregivers can mobilize the next generation to serve by fostering values of service and empathy from a young age.
