Our last post covered church design considerations for kid spaces, used by both newborns to 18 months and 18 months to 5 years. Church design for older kids is usually more flexible. Read on to learn more about how to create comfortable and welcoming spaces for school-age kids from kindergarten through 5th grade, and to see some church building examples for different age groups.
And just a reminder. These designs are primarily for Sunday-school-purposed spaces and not for daycare or education, which have more stringent requirements.
Church Design for School-Age Children
For kids in the K-5 age group, plan on 20 to 25 square feet per child, so more children can fit into a room than with spaces for younger ones. While not as important as it is with the youngest children, sinks in areas designated for use by K-5 children can still be a good idea. Add cabinets, shelves, or cubbies for storage. Shared restrooms aren’t necessary for these spaces. A nearby restroom with multiple stalls is fine.
A Space for Younger Kids
Following are some examples for different children’s spaces. This first room is for the younger kids. The tables are set up so that they can work on activities together. There are plenty of toys and ample space for the kids to play, while the large window adds some natural light.
This room is also equipped for audio-visual. You can see a TV mounted to the wall, which can be used to share lessons or simulcast the church service for the adults who are supervising the kids.
A Space Offering Flexibility
This second example of a kids’ space shows a sink and cabinetry, and has flexibility built in. The tables can be moved around to accommodate different activities, and there is room for additional furniture or audio-visual equipment to be added as needed. The room also has a wall mural to add visual interest.
This image shows an example of a connecting door to another classroom. You could also add a door to the outside of the classroom (more on creating safety for kids in another post). There is another door that opens to a shared restroom. Lastly, notice the small tile area just under the sink, which makes cleanup easier if water splashes on the floor.
A Classroom with a Reading Area
This room was designed with K-5 kids in mind. It is set up for classroom use, with taller furniture. There is enough space in the classroom area to reconfigure the tables and chairs, if needed.
You can see the cubbies added for storage. Windows add more brightness to the space. A large area rug, partial wall, and bookshelf define a separate area for reading and other activities.
Learn More During Our Webinars
These examples show that with planning and a strong church design, you can create spaces within your church building for kids to thrive and grow in their faith. Need more tips on church building and design? Join us for our free i3 webinar series to learn about the latest trends in church architecture, how to fund your projects, mistakes to avoid when building, and more.