Keys for Kids - daily devotions and Bible stories for kids and families

Read: Psalm 66:1-5; Romans 8:28-29 The Reed family was seated around their picnic table playing a board game when Eliana looked up. “Oh no!” she wailed. “Not again!” Parker groaned. Arthur, their collie, was almost totally covered with cockleburs. “I’m guessing you just had to go chase after a squirrel,” said Parker. “Or was it a rabbit this time?” Eliana sighed. “Dad, why did God create cocklebur...

Read: Hebrews 10:19-23 “You can’t trust anyone.” Emma sighed as she walked along the beach with her aunt. “He promised to love my mom forever. And now what? He’s going to leave me and Mom and never see us again?” “I’m sorry,” her aunt said. “I wish things had worked out better.” “He promised he was going to be like a dad to me,” Emma said. “You and your mom have both been hurt twice now,” her aunt...

Read: John 10:7-10 Ryan lay flat on his back in the cool green grass, watching the fluffy clouds floating across the sky above him. When he glanced over at the tall trellis covered with Grandma’s rambling roses, he noticed it almost reached the small balcony with the slider door that led to the guest bedroom. Ryan scrambled to his feet and darted toward the house. I bet I can climb up to my room,...

Read: Genesis 1:27; 1 Peter 1:18-19 “I don’t get it, Grandpa.” Malik scratched his head as he looked at the painting. “What is it?” “Well, the title is Three Musicians. Try squinting your eyes and tilting your head.” “I think I see a clarinet and a guitar, but the musicians look a little creepy.” “That’s the beauty of art,” said Grandpa. “Everyone sees something different.” Malik and his grandpare...

Read: John 15:12-13 “Have you ever heard people use colors to describe their feelings?” Miss Iverson asked her class. Carter waved his hand to make sure she saw it. “Like green with envy?” “How about purple with rage?” Mei said. “Or blue—like when they’re sad.” “All good examples,” Miss Iverson said. “Now, people don’t actually change color, but some animals do. A chameleon, for example, can quick...

Read: Psalm 32:1-5; Matthew 6:9-13 Robin knelt at the foot of her bed and bowed her head to pray. It was hard to focus with her little sister, Jenny, screaming in the bathroom. “No! I don’t want to brush my teeth!” Jenny cried. Mom poked her head into Robin’s room, a tired smile on her face. “Robin, could Jenny and I pray with you? Maybe we can pray that Jenny will want to brush her teeth.” Robin...

Read: Psalm 51:1-9 Landon’s eyes widened in horror as his elbow knocked a bottle of paint off the table and it toppled to the floor. Blue paint spread in a growing blob across the kitchen. Landon jumped off his chair and quickly picked up the paint bottle. What am I going to do? he wondered. I’ve got to clean this up before Grandpa and Grandma see it. Landon rushed into the laundry room and grabbe...

Read: Psalm 139:1-10 Malachi waited in the hallway, tapping his foot on the floor. “Almost time…” He didn’t have to wait long. The door to his dad’s office opened, and his dad appeared with his glasses pushed up on the top of his head. “Hi, bud,” Dad said. Malachi grinned and started for the kitchen. He knew his dad would follow him. An hour later, Malachi positioned himself in the hallway again....

Read: Psalm 27:1; Isaiah 41:10, 13 “Mr. Robinson asked me to give my testimony at our youth group meeting Sunday night,” Olivia told her mother as they walked along a path in the woods. “I’m going to tell him I just can’t do it! I’m too scared!” She pointed toward a nearby hill. “There’s the old fire lookout tower, Mom. Looks like somebody’s on duty there today. Do you think they’ll let us climb i...

Read: 2 Timothy 3:14-17 Javier looked out the window. Rain rattled on the roof, and thunder jolted his eardrums. “Why is it so loud, Mom?” he asked. “The storm is getting closer,” replied Mom. “The reporter on TV said the basement is the safest place in storms like this, so let’s go.” Mom handed Javier a jug of water and a couple of flashlights. “You can carry these,” she said. “I’ll grab some sna...

Read: Matthew 6:25-32 "It’s hard to believe you’re already old enough to be in middle school this year, Mateo,” Mom said as they drove home after shopping for school clothes. “Don’t remind me,” Mateo said miserably. “I wish I could stay at my old school forever.” “Why?” asked Mom. “Last year there weren’t any older kids to pick on us,” replied Mateo. “I liked being one of the oldest kids in the sc...

Read: Proverbs 18:24; Philippians 2:3-8 Luke sat in the pew and stared off into space as his parents talked to some friends nearby. His stomach growled loudly, and he hoped his family would leave soon. “What are you doing sitting here by yourself?” Luke looked up as Mr. Bryant sat down in the pew in front of him. “Nothing,” Luke said with a smile. He liked talking to Mr. Bryant. “Why don’t you go...

Read: Psalm 130:5-7 "It felt like forever before it was Daisy’s turn to ride the swinging ship. She watched the line slowly move forward each time a new group got on the ride. Finally, it was her turn! “Ready?” Dad grinned. “More than ready!” Daisy hurried to find a seat. The ride was just as fun as she expected, and she screamed each time it went down. Her stomach flip-flopped a little, but she s...

Read: Proverbs 6:20-23; 1 John 1:6-7 "Whoo, whoo, whoooo!" Kaylee heard the soft hoot of an owl floating through the still night air as she and her dad walked along a narrow path on their way to see the moon rise over the lake. An owl! she thought. She shined her flashlight toward the treetops, hoping to get a glimpse of the bird, but she couldn’t see anything. As she looked straight up and search...

Read: Isaiah 41:8-10; John 14:16-17 Evelyn peeked through the blinds of her bedroom window at the SOLD! sign on her front lawn. She turned back to the sea of boxes surrounding her as a tear slipped from her eye and landed with a wet splat on the cardboard. I can’t decide if I want my butterfly pillow at Mom’s apartment or Dad’s house, she thought. With a big sigh, she threw it into the box marked...

Read: Matthew 2:1-2; Luke 2:1-16 Visit our store and enjoy Christmas every day of the year!” Georgia read the billboard out loud as she and her family traveled home from a weeklong vacation. “Cool!” she said. “That’s in the town at the next exit, isn’t it? Can we stop at that store?” Dad shrugged. “Why not? We could use a break from driving. Watch for signs so we’ll know where to turn.” They found...

Read: Exodus 20:3-17; Galatians 3:19-22 Graham set a large birthday present on his knees and shut the car door. Mom fastened her seat belt and turned to Graham. “You don’t have your seat belt on.” “I can’t reach it while I’m holding this present,” said Graham. “It’s only two blocks to Cameron’s house, so I don’t need it anyway.” “Oh yes, you do! A lot of accidents happen close to home, and a seat...

Read: Psalm 56:3-4, 8-11 Nico grinned as his sister lay back on her inflatable raft. “I’m going to pop your float,” he told her. “You’ll sink.” Maya smiled, unfazed. “My life jacket will hold me up.” “What if I take the life jacket?” Nico asked. Maya shrugged. “It still won’t matter. This is the shallow end, and the water only reaches up to my waist.” “Well then, maybe I’ll just pick you up and du...

Read: Psalm 32:1-5 "Ouch!” cried Wren as she climbed into the tree house her dad was building. Dad stopped hammering and raised his brow. “I hurt my finger,” Wren said. “Let me take a look.” Dad put his hammer down and studied her finger. “You’ve got a sliver, but don’t worry, I’m an expert sliver remover! Just as soon as I’m finished here, I’ll take it out.” Wren squirmed. “It’s okay. It’s not th...

Read: Ephesians 5:8-20 The girls in Cabin 9 were walking down the path to the campfire at Bible camp when Gabby pointed up at the sky. “Look at the moon tonight! Yesterday there was no moonlight at all in the sky, but today there is a bright sliver of light.” Her counselor, Jami, nodded. “It has started to reflect the sun’s light, and tomorrow it will reflect more light and keep growing until it’s...

Read: Romans 12:6-8 I heard the kids’ choir at church is holding auditions next week,” Mom said as Milo set the table for dinner. “Why don’t you try out? I know how much you love to sing, and they could sure use you.” Milo shrugged. “I’m sure those kids are way better than me, so why bother? I’ll just stick to singing in the shower.” “I found out more about badgers!” Anna announced when they sat d...

Read: Romans 12:9-18 "What are you reading about?” asked Anna as she peered over her brother’s shoulder to see what was on his computer screen. “Oh, look at that little animal! He’s so cute!” “Stop saying everything is cute!” said Milo. “That’s a badger, and badgers are interesting, not cute!” Anna sniffed. “Well, I think that badger is cute. What do you find so interesting about it?” “Well, this...

Read: Matthew 14:13-21; Ephesians 2:1-7 When Emma came into the living room, tears were falling from Mom’s eyes onto her lap. Dad sat next to her with a hand on her shoulder. “It’s Grandma,” he told Emma. “She died in the hospital this morning.” Emma stared out the window. With Grandma gone, who’d come visit every month? Who’d cook her favorite foods, or go on bike rides and picnics with her? A fe...

Read: Matthew 19:26; Luke 6:45; James 3:7-10 "Mom,” said Noah, “Rexy had an accident on the welcome mat again.” Mom made her way to the front door and rubbed her forehead. “I don’t know what to do with that dog. He chews up everything in the house. He barks at the garbage truck. He digs under the fence. He’s out of control. I don’t think anyone can tame that tiny Chihuahua. Would one of you boys p...

Read: Psalm 89:8, 11-13 Journey and Elise ran to the garage where their dad was working. “Mom says we’re going to have a picnic at the park!” said Journey. “Can we go soon?” “We want to have time to play on the swings before we eat!” added Elise. “Okay,” said Dad. “But before we go, I need to wash the car.” “Why bother?” asked Elise. “It’s old.” “You’re right. It is old,” Dad replied. “But it’s th...