100 Useful Gifts That Say “Thank You, Volunteers!” (With Free Printables)

No matter your church size, you rely on your volunteers! Children’s ministry volunteers freely share their time, love, and talents in a variety of unique ways to serve, nourish, and bless the next generation of the Church.

So, make sure they feel loved and appreciated!

Here are 100 gift ideas for your children’s ministry volunteers. Pick up these inexpensive items they’ll actually enjoy using. Then print the accompanying tag (or design your own) for a gift that’s easy on your budget but means the world to your volunteers.

Practical Items Everyone Needs

1. Adhesive Bandages: “We’re banding together for the spiritual aid of our kids. Thanks for bringing a soft heart for children and a flexible attitude that protects those in your care! We love and appreciate you!” Download the printable here.
2. Batteries: “Our special thanks to our leaders, teachers, and helpers who just keep going and going and going! You energize every part of Children’s Ministry with your faithfulness!” Download the printable here.
3. Book-Related Gifts: “Thank you for your commitment to sharing the Book of books with the children of our church—the leaders of tomorrow!” Download the printable here.
4. Emery Boards: “Thanks for choosing to help smooth out the rough edges in our Children’s Ministry. Your helpful presence shapes many young lives!” Download the printable here.
5. Flashlights: “Celebrating with you the coming of Jesus—the Light of the world. We’re delighted to see how His light shines through you to bless our kids!” Download the printable here.
6. Food Storage Containers with Covers: “Your involvement in Children’s Ministry gives new meaning to “Got it covered!” Thanks for covering your God-given assignment with faithfulness, prayer, and joy! We appreciate all you do!” Download the printable here.
7. Hand Lotion: “Softer hands that smell good, too, / Is what this product does for you! / As you rub this lotion on, / Ask God for a heart that’s soft and strong. Thank Him for His promises, too— / And for the love He’ll show through you!” Download the printable here.
8. Hand Lotion: “We love the way your presence in our program smoothes out the wrinkles in our Children’s Ministry. Thanks for being soft and flexible! You are appreciated!” Download the printable here.
9. Hand Sanitizer: “We’re glad to see how God’s love comes through you to our little ones! Children’s Ministry takes work—even getting your hands dirty. But you are making a difference. Thank you for sharing your service and His love!” Download the printable here.
10. Hangers: “Thanks for hanging around with our kids so that your love for our Lord is right where they can see it. Keep hanging close to Him. You are appreciated!” Download the printable here.
11. Miniature Bars of Soap: “If it weren’t for volunteers like you, we’d be clean out of wonderful Children’s Ministry leaders! Thanks for your clean-cut example that teaches so many!” Download the printable here.
12. Napkins (or other small service-related gifts): “Thank you for being a great example of a servant. You have demonstrated Christlike service to many who watch you. May this small token encourage you as you continue to serve the Lord with gladness!” Download the printable here.
13. Puff® Tissues: “We can see that God’s grace has given you extra strength to meet the needs of our kids! We pray you will remain extra resistant to the enemy’s distractions and as gentle as a PUFF toward each child’s needs.” Download the printable here.
14. Sponges: “Let’s be like sponges this year! Soft and flexible in our hearts / Saturated by freely absorbing God’s Word / Living clean in light of His forgiveness / Oozing His love when squeezed by the press of life. / We appreciate you!” Download the printable here.
15. Wet Wipes: “When you swish this little washcloth over your hands, we hope you remember how your help and encouragement have refreshed our entire Children’s Ministry staff this year. Thank you!” Download the printable here.

Fun Office Supplies

1. Blank Name Tags: “What’s in a name? A child’s own name is the most important word in his or her vocabulary! Thank you for remembering each child’s name and for giving the individual attention that makes God’s amazing love real to a child. We appreciate you!” Download the printable here.
2. Erasers: “Make no mistake about it—God knew yesterday that you’d be here today, making a difference in kids’ lives forever! Erase any doubt about your mission! His plan, implemented by your love, is making a difference. Thank you!” Download the printable here.
3. Highlighter Pens: “Your participation has been a highlight in Children’s Ministry this year! Thank you!” Download the printable here.
4. Miniature Stapler: “We love the way you hold things together and keep everyone connected! Thank you for your joyful service in our Children’s Ministry!” Download the printable here.
5. Pens (or other writing utensils): “Your ministry with kids is write on! Know that you are loved and appreciated.” Download the printable here.
6. Post-it® Notes: “Thanks for sticking with us to the end. Your participation has been noteworthy!” Download the printable here.
7. Post-it® Notes: “Thanks for sticking with us through this dynamic season in Children’s Ministry. Unlike temporary adhesive, your example, relationships, and words will adhere to young hearts and minds for eternity!” Download the printable here.
8. Scissors (or scissor shaped charms): “Your nimble fingers keep our Children’s Ministry on the cutting edge. Thank you very much for all you do!” Download the printable here.

Group Photo

1. “What do the ABCs of Children’s Ministry look like at our church? ABLE / BEAUTIFUL / COMMITTED / DYNAMIC / ENERGETIC / FAITHFUL / GREAT—and so much more! THANK YOU!” Download the printable here.
2. “When there’s a job to be done, you look for a team LIKE THIS! You are the best! We’re grateful for you!” Download the printable here.
3. “This year’s picture of Children’s Ministry would have been incomplete without you! Thank you for being clearly focused on our great God!” Download the printable here.

Food & Drink

Pair an inexpensive edible gift with a heartfelt message that will make your volunteers smile. Deliver each food gift with the accompanying “thank you” tag!

Snacks

1. Caramel Apples: “We appreciate the fresh and flavorful help you’re giving in our Children’s Ministry! You’re the apple of God’s eye!” Download the printable here.
2. Combos®—Cheese-Filled Pretzels: “Your contribution to our Children’s Ministry COMBO has added variety, color, and great flavor. Thanks for cooking up some great moments this year!” Download the printable here.
3. Cracker Jack® Candied Popcorn and Peanuts: “If Children’s Ministry were a box of CRACKER JACK, you’d be the prize in our box! Thanks for being such a winner with our kids.” Download the printable here.
4. David® Sunflower Seeds: “Our Savior is the Son of DAVID and the Son of God! Thank you for sowing the seeds of the age-old message in new ways to produce eternal results!” Download the printable here.
5. Fruit by the Foot® Fruit Snacks: “Thanks for faithfully putting one FOOT in front of the other in Children’s Ministry. God will multiply every inch of your progress into miles of spiritual understanding for our kids!” Download the printable here.
6. Peanuts or Mixed Nuts: “You don’t have to be nuts to lead kids, but it helps—to be nuts about kids, that is! And you are! Thanks for all the great ways you share God’s love with them!” Download the printable here.
7. Raisins (miniature boxes): “Thank you for raisin’ the standard in our Children’s Ministry by your faithful service and love for our kids.” Download the printable here.
8. Salted Circle-Shaped Pretzels: “You add so much to our Children’s Ministry! Thank you for being the salt of the earth and rounding out our team!” Download the printable here.
9. Spicy Mustard: “God mustard had you in mind when we planned our children’s program this year—because you’ve done a marvelous job of spicing it up and smothering kids with His love! Thank you—and enjoy!” Download the printable here.

Volunteer Thank You Cards

Volunteers bring energy and heart to your ministry. They give of themselves freely and intentionally—so it’s important to say THANK YOU as often as you can. Download these 5 cards and give all the warm fuzzies away!

Download your thank you cards

Free Cards

Volunteer Thank You Cards

Volunteers bring energy and heart to your ministry. They give of themselves freely and intentionally—so it’s important to say THANK YOU as often as you can. Download these 5 cards and give all the warm fuzzies away!

Download your thank you cards

Free Cards

Volunteer Thank You Cards

Volunteers bring energy and heart to your ministry. They give of themselves freely and intentionally—so it’s important to say THANK YOU as often as you can. Download these 5 cards and give all the warm fuzzies away!

Download your thank you cards

Free Cards

Drinks

1. Orange Drink: “Orange you glad you’re in Children’s Ministry? Don’t you wish everyone was?” Download the printable here.
2. Swiss Miss® Classic Cocoa Mix: “Thanks for being a classic example of a loving servant. We appreciate your joyful help in communicating the classic and lasting truths of God’s Word to our kids!” Download the printable here.
3. Tea Bags (or Iced Tea Mix): “This describes you to a T: Terrific / Trustworthy / Tenacious / Tireless / Now enjoy a cup of tea while you reflect on all you’ve seen God do through you and around you!” Download the printable here.

Gum

1. Chewing Gum (assorted flavors): “Thanks for your faithful help! Such faithfulness keeps the programs in our ministry from getting all gummed up! (And we’re delighted to see how creatively you stick with it!)” Download the printable here.
2. Dentyne Ice® Chewing Gum: “Thanks for being such a cool addition to our Children’s Ministry team. No matter how hot a situation becomes, your warm heart toward each kid is noticed by God and appreciated by others. As you reflect on your contribution, we thought ICE might be nice!” Download the printable here.

Candy

1. Breath Savers® Mints: “SAVE your BREATH along with your strength and energy! We’ll need you back next week for your fabulous input on the team!” Download the printable here.
2. Dove® Promises® Heart-Shaped Candies: ‘Thank you for honoring God, the keeper of PROMISES, with your gift of service. Future servants are watching you to learn how to do it!” Download the printable here.
3. Ghirardelli® Chocolate Squares Candies: “You don’t have to be a SQUARE to work in Children’s Ministry, but it helps to have the corner on love, patience, time, and prayer. Thanks for sharing these priceless gifts so generously!” Download the printable here.
4. Hershey’s Wrapped Classic® Candies: “You are a CLASSIC example of a godly servant, faithfully loving our precious kids. We appreciate the way you unwrap God’s love for our kids. Thanks!” Download the printable here.
5. Jolly Ranchers® Candies: “We love to see Children’s Ministry team members as JOLLY as you are! Thank you for the cheerful way you express your love for God and kids as you work with our young ones (even when it might feel like you’re rounding up a herd)!” Download the printable here.
6. Junior Mints® Candies: “Thanks for helping our kids discover a MINT of valuable truth from God’s Word! We love the way you keep your cool and keep them motivated!” Download the printable here.
7. Mint-Flavored Candies: “We got a mint of great potential when we picked you to lead kids in our program. You’re cool under pressure and full of creative ideas! Thank you for being a great example of Jesus’ love!” Download the printable here.
8. Now and Later® Candies: “Thanking you NOW and LATER! Now you are blessing our kids through our Children’s Ministry. Later you will receive heavenly rewards for your investment!” Download the printable here.
9. Peanut Butter Candies: “People often say that kids and peanut butter go hand in hand. But we know it’s YOU—going hand in hand with kids and parents—who makes the spiritual nurturing of our precious kids possible. THANKS!” Download the printable here.
10. Red Hots® Candies: “Your creative teaching and faithful service make you one RED HOT teacher! Thank you!” Download the printable here.
11. Smarties® Candies: “What a SMARTIE you are to choose to be part of our Children’s Ministry team! We appreciate you!” Download the printable here.
12. Starburst® Candies: “We’re about to BURST with excitement at the influence you’re having in Children’s Ministry! Thanks for shining like a STAR with the love of Jesus!” Download the printable here.
13. Sweet-Tarts® Candies: “Your efforts for our children are truly SWEET! Thanks for doing your best for each child.” Download the printable here.
14. Twizzlers® Candies: “In Children’s Ministries, it helps to be a TWIZZLER: Teachable / Wise / Interested / Zany / Zealous / Loving Jesus / Energetic / Real / God appreciates the flavor you bring to what you do—and so do we! Thank you! Download the printable here.
15. Whoppers® Candies: “We thank God for a servant like you—willing to be a WHOPPER of an influence to the next generation as you lead them toward our great God” Download the printable here.

Candy Bars

1. Baby Ruth® Candy Bars: “Some Children’s Ministry volunteers may never get public applause or recognition from the pulpit. They may never know what a grand-slam difference they have made. But to us, you’re more famous than BABE RUTH!” Download the printable here.
2. Bar None® Candy Bars: “BAR NONE—You’re the best! Your willingness to give your best to the children at our church is GREATLY APPRECIATED!” Download the printable here.
3. Kudos® Bars: “KUDOS to YOU—an outstanding children’s volunteer! We thank God for you!” Download the printable here.
4. Mounds® Candy Bars: “MOUNDS of appreciation for the very vital role you play in our Children’s Ministry! Your significant contribution blesses our entire church family.” Download the printable here.
5. PayDay® Candy Bars: “PAYDAY for your unselfish investment with children here on Earth will come when you are richly rewarded at the Bank of Heaven! We’re all blessed by the dividends of your investment in our precious “loans from God” here at our family branch. Thanks!” Download the printable here.
6. PayDay® Candy Bars: “PAYDAY in heaven will be seeing the results of what God has done through your faithful service with kids. Thanks for doing what you do so faithfully!” Download the printable here.
7. Snickers® Candy Bars: “Others would SNICKER, if only they knew how much fun they could have in Kids’ Ministry too! Spread the snickers! Encourage a friend to join you in serving Jesus through leading His kids!” Download the printable here.
8. Twix® Candy Bars: “Teachers Wield Indelible eXamples. Thanks for letting God use your example before our children. You are noticed!” Download the printable here.

Nestlé® Candies

1. Crunch® Candy Bars: “It can be a CRUNCH to be faithful when we hear: “Children’s Ministry takes too much work!” “Rights to adult fellowship time come FIRST!” “Urgent personal matters need most of my attention.” “Not interrupting MY sleep to arrive early!” “Commitment? I don’t feel like it today.” “How much more time will this take?” Your faithful, cheerful help takes a bite out of the CRUNCH! THANK YOU!” Download the printable here.
2. 100 Grand® Candy Bars: “Here’s 100 GRAND to show our rich appreciation—even though you’re worth more than any amount of money to our Children’s Ministry!” Download the printable here.
3. Nestlé Signatures Treasures® Candies: “Thanks for being one of the great leaders on our Children’s Ministry team. You are a TREASURE to us!” Download the printable here.
4. Nestlé Signatures Treasures® Candies: “Thanks for sharing the TREASURES of God’s love with our kids. We value you!” Download the printable here.

Gold Foil-Wrapped Candies

Get a box of delicious gold “nuggets” to give to all your volunteers!

1. “Your faithful service is like gold to us! Your ministry is a nugget of blessing for our entire church. Thank you!” Download the printable here.
2. “Your love for Jesus and children has been like finding gold for us! Keep giving out those nuggets of biblical principle through your life and words.” Download the printable here.
3. “No amount of gold could replace the great value you bring to our kids through your love and care. Thank you!” Download the printable here.
4. “Thanks for being such a priceless nugget! We struck real gold when we found you for the Children’s Ministry team!” Download the printable here.
5. Grab some chocolate coins to say “You are one of the golden treasures of Children’s Ministry. We value you highly!” Download the printable here.
6. Use gold-foil wrapped peanut butter cups to say “Thanks for helping us to strike gold in our Children’s Ministry. You have laid up some valuable treasure in heaven!” Download the printable here.

LifeSavers® Candies

Whether they are a regular volunteer or a substitute who helped you in a tight spot, volunteers are LifeSavers!

1. “In this ministry of pointing kids to the LIFESAVER, it takes many kinds of people to meet all the needs. Thanks for sharing your time and gifts.” Download the printable here.
2. “Thank you! Substitutes are great—they save the day!” Download the printable here.
3. “You bring unique flavor to our Children’s Ministry team. Thanks for doing your part.” Download the printable here.
4. “You have been a LIFESAVER by responding to our need for a substitute! May God bless you richly for your service.” Download the printable here.

M&M’s® Candies

Or use M&M minis!

1. “Thanks for helping the kids at our church to be Missions Minded!” Download the printable here.
2. “What you’re doing in Children’s Ministry is simply Magnificent and Marvelous!” Download the printable here.
3. “Your ministry to children is Magnificent and Meaningful. It Magnifies the King and Makes a difference for eternity. Thank you!” Download the printable here.

Cookies

1. Animal Crackers® Cookies: “”It’s absolutely true: / Because of all you do, / Our team (without you) / Would feel like a crazy zoo! / (We might go CRACKERS without your help!)” Download the printable here.
2. Chocolate Chip Cookies: “If our Children’s Ministry team were a cookie, you’d be the chocolate chips! Thanks for adding so much to our ministry!” Download the printable here.
3. Mrs. Fields® Cookies: “Just as shepherds in the fields watched their flocks by night—so you have wonderfully watched kids by night (and day) in our church fields. Please enjoy this treat from MRS. FIELDS—you’re outstanding in your field!” Download the printable here.
4. Oreo® Cookies: O for Outstanding / R for Reliable / E for Enthusiastic / O for One of a Kind / These only begin to describe the many unique qualities you bring to our Children’s Ministry team. You are greatly appreciated! Download the printable here.
5. Oreo® Cookies: “Thank you for the Outstanding Relational and Educational Offering you make. People are learning from you every week!” Download the printable here.

Christmas Gift Printables

Christmas gifts for volunteers don’t need to be complicated. Even a bottle of water with a printed message can express your appreciation!

1. Jellybeans: “Like these jellybeans, your time with our children this Christmas added bright color and fresh flavor to the telling of God’s sweetest story of love. Thanks for helping to make the true meaning so clear!” Download the printable here.
2. Water Bottles: “Merry Christmas to a very important member of our Children’s Ministry team! Thanks for being a faithful pipeline to the source of living water.” Download the printable here.
3. Christmas Cookies: Wise men with gifts, shepherds with sheep, / Telling the words of a story to keep. / Angels with tidings of wonderful news— / All celebrated the King of the Jews. / We’re thankful for you; knowing you is a treat. / Your love for our children makes our joy complete! / Merry Christmas!” Download the printable here.
4. Candles: “Thanks for being one more light on the path connecting kids with the real meaning of Christmas! May God bless and enrich your holiday season!” Download the printable here.
5. Recipe Cards: “Recipe for Effective Children’s Ministry at Our Church / Ingredients: YOU! / God’s Word / A bunch of kids / A plan of action / Directions: Thoroughly mix ingredients together with time and prayer. Bake at temperatures well warmed by love, keeping an eye on how God changes the children’s lives. Garnish with laughter and serve to the King as a special gift of love at Christmas” Download the printable here.
6. Angel Pins or Ornaments: “On the first Christmas, angels sang to praise God for Jesus’ birth. This Christmas, we think you’re an angel, too. Thank you for sharing God’s love with our children!” Download the printable here.

More Gifts to Say “Thank You, Volunteers!”

1. Glow-in-the-Dark Stars: “We can see you’ve absorbed God’s light by the way your life reflects His. Thanks for being like a star to our children, showing them the way to Jesus. We appreciate you!” Download the printable here.
2. Key Rings: “May you be enriched by knowing the key role you play in the lives of impressionable children. You are being used to unlock God’s message of love as children share with you their ideas, thoughts, and feelings. Thank you!” Download the printable here.
3. Postcards of Your City: “Look! It’s the place where YOU make a difference! Thank you for serving the Lord on our Children’s Ministry team!” Download the printable here.
4. Smiley-Face Stickers: “Thank you for your smile and your ministry that will point kids to Jesus. We’re glad you’ve chosen to stick with it!” Download the printable here.

Gifts of Service

Sometimes the best gifts require your time and nothing more. Try these ideas for appreciating your volunteers throughout the year.

1. Clean a volunteer’s classroom.
2. Provide free childcare for an evening.
3. Cook your volunteer a meal.
4. Recognize all your volunteers in front of your congregation.
5. Throw your volunteers a party!