'Mom, This is Boring' — What to Do When Your Kid Hates Devotional Time
The day my 6-year-old told me devotional was boring, I wanted to correct her. Instead, I asked why. What she said reshaped how our whole family does Bible time.
"Mom, this is boring." My daughter, age 6, at the exact moment I started reading day 3 of a new devotional. Not asking for water. Not squirming. Just a flat, factual declaration, delivered while making eye contact.
I laughed. Then I got frustrated. Then I got sad. Then I asked her: "What would make it not boring?"
She said: "If it had a joke. Or a mystery. Or if I got to say something instead of just listening."
That kid was giving me a masterclass in kid-lit design and I almost missed it. Here's everything I've learned since then about what to do when your child hates devotional time — from a mom who's been there, cried about it, and figured out a version that works.
1. Believe them when they say it's boring
This is the first mistake I made. I told my daughter, "It's not boring, honey. It's important." I basically told her her feelings were wrong. Big mistake.
Kids know boring. They're right about boring. Their attention is one of the most honest signals you'll ever get as a parent. If they're calling it boring, the format is wrong for their brain — not their heart.
2. Audit what you're actually reading
Pull out your devotional. Read one entry out loud, timing yourself. Then ask:
- Was there a story, or just abstract lessons?
- Did the kid have anything to do besides listen?
- Was there humor, tension, or surprise?
- Would you read this at bedtime if it wasn't devotional?
Most kids' devotionals fail these tests. They were written by well-meaning adults who forgot what it's like to be a 5-year-old brain trying to stay awake.
3. Add a mystery
My daughter was onto something. Kids this age are wired for mystery. "I wonder what would have happened if..." "Why do you think Jesus did that?" "What do you think the disciples were thinking?"
Instead of reading and explaining, read and wonder. Leave the ending hanging. Let them speculate. Suddenly you've turned a devotional into a game their brain wants to play.
4. Give them a job
Kids don't hate devotional. They hate being an audience. Give them a role:
- They read the Bible verse (even if they can only read 3 words)
- They pick tonight's page
- They lead the prayer
- They act out the story with their stuffed animals
- They ask YOU the reflection question first
The moment my daughter went from listener to participant, "boring" disappeared. She's now the family's designated devotional-picker at bedtime. She takes it very seriously.
5. Get honest about the voice
A lot of devotional writers use a sing-songy, "isn't Jesus SO wonderful, boys and girls?" voice. Kids can smell condescension from 40 feet. If it sounds fake to them, they check out.
Look for devotionals that talk to kids like real humans. Ones that acknowledge hard emotions. That admit sometimes we get scared, or angry, or sad. That treat kids as spiritual people, not projects.
6. Try the "one true thing" test
After you close the book, ask: "What's one true thing you'll remember from today?" If they can name something — anything — it wasn't boring. It landed. Even if the delivery felt awkward, something got through.
My daughter's answer one night was: "God isn't mad at us when we mess up." That was after a devotional I thought was a total flop. I would have never known it landed if I hadn't asked.
7. Change books, don't quit
If you've tried everything and your kid still says it's boring, the book is wrong. Not devotional. The BOOK. There are hundreds of options and most of them aren't right for your kid.
Signs a devotional is a bad fit:
- Written for a wider age range than your kid actually fits ("ages 4-12" usually fails everyone)
- Entries are longer than one page
- No pictures, or the pictures look dated
- Tone is preachy instead of storytelling
- No interaction — no question, no prayer to repeat, no action step
The devotional I ended up writing for our family — Little Sprouts — was born because I couldn't find one that hit the sweet spot for kids 3-8. Short. Story-based. With a real question. And illustrated so kids want to hold it themselves.
What "boring" is really telling you
When my daughter said it was boring, she wasn't rejecting God. She was rejecting the delivery. Once I understood that, everything changed. Kids desperately want to know the world makes sense. They want to know they're loved. They want to know there's someone bigger who sees them.
Give them that in a story they can actually stay awake for, and "boring" becomes "one more, Mom, please."
Little Sprouts: 60 Devotionals for Kids 3-8
60 short devotionals (3-5 min each) written for the exact ages when sitting still is hard. Includes hand motions, simple prayers, and a "Sprout Question" that gets kids talking without feeling like Sunday school.
See it on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions
Should I force my kid to sit through devotional even if they hate it?
Forcing creates resentment. Instead, shorten it, change formats, or move to a different time of day. The goal is a positive association with God's word, not compliance with a routine.
How do I know if the devotional is the problem vs. my kid's attitude?
Ask them what they liked and didn't like. Kids 5+ can articulate this. If they say specific things ('it's too long,' 'the questions are weird'), the book is the issue. If they can't say anything, they're probably tired or overwhelmed.
Is it okay to skip devotional for a few days if it's causing tension?
Yes. A week off is not a spiritual crisis. Come back to it in a different form — a Bible cartoon, a worship song at breakfast, a mealtime prayer. God isn't tied to a book.
My kid says devotional is boring but loves Bible cartoons. Should I count that?
Absolutely. Storytelling is storytelling. What matters is Jesus is being introduced to their imagination. Supplement with a short devotional at bedtime and let the cartoons do heavy lifting during the day.
How do I make devotional feel less like homework?
Move it out of a 'seated instructional' vibe. Do it while walking, cooking together, or before their bedtime story. If it feels like part of your day instead of a lesson, they engage differently.
What age can kids handle a full-length devotional?
Around 9-10 for a 10-minute devotional, 12+ for anything longer. Kids 3-8 need under 5 minutes. Don't force adult-sized devotional on kid-sized attention.
Can I use a devotional in the car?
Yes, and honestly the car is one of the best places. They can't run off, they're not overstimulated by visuals, and they often talk more openly. We do most of our best God conversations at red lights.