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

Read: Psalm 116:1-7; Philippians 4:4-9 More than an hour after Amelia had gone to bed at her grandparents’ home, she still had not fallen asleep. She tried everything she could think of to relax her mind, but nothing worked. Finally, she slipped out of bed and went to find Grandma. “Grandma, I saw an ad on TV about sleeping pills,” said Amelia. “Do you have any? Can I have some?” “I don’t have any...

Read: Psalm 139:7-12; Jeremiah 23:23-24; Matthew 1:23 “Can I have one of your French fries?” Gavin asked his sister as he snatched one from her plate. “Hey, no! You have your own!” Hailey protested. She put her arm around her plate to defend her food. “But you got the crispier ones!” Gavin held up one of his flimsy French fries. “Our oven hasn’t been cooking evenly. Here, Gavin, I got a few more c...

Read: Ephesians 1:7-9 Tinkling bells chimed invitingly as the ice cream truck turned onto Cali’s street. Ice cream was one of her favorite treats, but it was just before lunchtime, so she was sure her grandma wouldn’t let her have anything now. But I can still have a little fun with the ice cream truck driver, Cali thought. She yelled loudly to get his attention as he drove by, then ducked behind...

Read: James 3:1-10 “Hey, Dad, do you know what Elise told me?” asked Tenley. Dad put down the book he was reading and smiled. Tenley loved to tell him everything that was going on with her friends at school—even when they were on vacation. “Elise says Aria’s dad was arrested and taken to the police station,” Tenley went on. “He was driving under the influence—that means he was drunk—and he crashed...

Read: Psalm 119:9-16; 2 Timothy 3:14-17 “Turn on the radio, Dad,” Kaelyn called from the back of the minivan. “Yeah,” said Brenner. “It’s boring back here. We’ve been driving forever!” Dad glanced at the twins in the rearview mirror. “Sorry, guys,” he said. “I hate to ruin your fun, but I don’t like your music.” Brenner snorted. “What fun? We’re on a three-hour car trip in the middle of nowhere!”...

Read: Ephesians 4:1-7; Hebrews 13:15-16 As Dr. Jensen talked about his work as a missionary, Nolan wondered what it would be like to move to a different country to serve God. Dr. Jensen described it as God giving him such a deep love for the people in that country that he had to move there, but Nolan doubted he’d ever be able to make such a big sacrifice, even if God wanted him to. Nolan listened...

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...