Hey parents — looking for some Christmas gift ideas for your kids this season? If so — you may not have to look any farther than your neighborhood Christian book store.
Christian-oriented toys are a new market niche in toyland that’s catching on like wildfire — much to the delight of parents and grandparents in search of Christmas toy items.
Up until recently Christian-oriented children’s toys have played a minor role in the billion dollar toy industry. That is until the introduction and phenomenal reception a few years ago of Veggie Tales — a group of adorable, animated, vegetable-like characters that promote Christian beliefs through biblically oriented songs and stories.
Mark Miller, owner of the Carpenter Shop Christian Bookstore in Birmingham, says he has seen an increase in the number of Christian toys, games and videos throughout the past 18 years he has been in business.
“Fifteen years ago you didn’t see the type of toys with a Christian theme or message like you have available today. Back then — at best — we could offer puzzles and books.”
Today the rise in popularity and availability of toys with a Christian emphasis has resulted in Miller offering an entire section in his store dedicated to children’s toys. On his store shelves are toys and games geared to boys as well as girls.
Perched in a decorative box is a dark haired, Barbie doll size figure that represents Ruth, Esther and Mary in the “Women of the Bible” series. The one figure comes with miss-and-match outfits that are interchangeable, and according to the dolls instructions, “girls can pretend the doll is any one of these courageous and faithful women of God.”
For girls with an artistic flair there are Bible craft kits that feature tapestry, sand and bead art.
A myriad of toy choices are available for boys ranging in age from young toddlers to preteens.
A recent newcomer on the market is the “full armor of God play set.” The seven-piece set includes a breast- plate, helmet shield, belt, sword and shin guards and is made of play-safe plastic. The set is promoted as being a “great teaching tool for kids about spiritual warfare” and is based on a Scripture passage located in Ephesians 6.
Other toys for boys include David and Goliath action figures that can complement a regiment of soldiers, horses and chariots — to a Noah and the ark playset for younger children. The playset, which helps kids learn the story of Noah’s faith and obedience through play, is featured as a biblically correct, 81-piece set suitable for ages 4–10. The set comes with a parent’s guide that recommends activities that promote Bible learning and Christian values.
Young tikes and toddlers are not overlooked in this expanding market. A series of toys known as the “Baby Bible” collection features such items as Baby Bible pals, which are plush stuffed characters depicting biblical personalities and animals such as Mary and a donkey, Daniel and a lion and Jonah and a big fish. These items are also available in squeakable versions, as well.
Another line in this series is the Baby Bible video TV which includes two interchangeable video cart-
ridges that play to the tune of the children’s Sunday School song, “Jesus Loves Me.”
A cuddle toy for youngsters ages 3–5 is “Pauly Panda the Bible Bear.” This toy is described as “a charming bear that depicts the character traits of the apostle Paul. A story on the package helps illustrate the point of learning not to give up in the face of obstacles. Pauly Panda helps give an example of a Bible character who faced many difficult situations yet continued to persevere.”
And when it comes to card and board games for kids the options would rival any selection found in secular stores.
For instance, there is Bible bingo and Bible dominoes. There’s also Bible Categories — a Christian version of
Scategories that can be played with the entire family.
The Bible Challenge board game is a compilation of 2,100 Bible trivia questions that focus on the life of Christ, people, places and Old and New Testament quotations.
And for families that enjoy animated fun — there’s a Bible Charades game.
The abundance of children’s books, videos and tapes is impressive in its own right with one Christian children’s catalog featuring more than 150 authors targeting infants to teens.
For older children there is the popular “dangerous devotions series” by Jackie Perseghetti. It is hyped as a “study guide of the New Testament with a hiker theme and a unique approach.”
There is also the book, “Devotions from the World of Sports,” by John and Kathy Hilman that takes a devotional approach of sports heroes from the past and present.
And what’s the general consensus of givers and recipients?
Eight-year-old Britton Ethridge who lives in Oxford received a Bible trivia game from a friend for his birthday. “I love playing it,” he said. “It’s lots of fun,” he added, explaining that he really enjoys trying to stump his father, (Ron Ethridge) who is pastor of First Baptist Church, Oxford.
“He knows all of them but I almost got him on one. I had to give him a couple of chances but he finally got it,” the game enthusiast said.
Britton’s mother, Pam, said the entire family has enjoyed playing a game that Ron brought home called the
“Un-game” which is a game about Christian values.
“The purpose of the game is to get a deeper understanding of yourself and others,” she said.
“Our kids really like it and are always enthusiastic when we decide to play it. “I just wish they had these type of Christian games and toys when we were children,” she said, mentioning the popular Veggie Tale series. “Ron even likes to sing their songs.”
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