Which Bible Is Best For My Kids?

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By Crystal Sarno on December 1, 2022

How do we help our children and grandchildren get to know the most important book ever written and begin to develop habits of enjoying it daily? We want our children/grandchildren to read, understand, trust, and love the Bible. There is no simple formula for success. Each child is different, and the Holy Spirit works in different ways and at different times with each one. But here are two ways that we try to implement with the children and grandchildren in our lives.

  1. Give Them a Bible They Enjoy
     Have you given your children their own Bible? If they do not yet have one, give them one. Buy one your children will enjoy picking up and looking at, one that communicates how special and valuable this book is. Bible publishers produce beautiful Bibles with quality covers, illustrations. maps and on lovely paper. Below you will find some of the Bibles we recommend, divided by the readers ages. These are not by any means the only Bibles available, but these are the ones that we know well and would recommend.
  2. Give Them an Example to Follow
    Having said that, the best of Bibles will eventually just sit on a dusty shelf if our children don’t see us reading our own Bibles consistently, enthusiastically, and joyfully. Here are the Bibles we recommend:

Ages 2-7

The Big Picture Story Bible Series - No child is too young to begin learning about the greatest love story of all—God’s love for his people, as portrayed in the Bible. This best-selling book, written especially for children ages 2–7, recounts the unified story that runs through both the Old and New Testaments. Simply written and beautifully illustrated, this book teaches children the Bible’s overarching message so they can begin to appreciate the scope and fulfillment of God’s promises to his people.
The Complete Illustrated Children's Bible - Lead your child into a lifetime love of the Bible with this colorful storybook. With nearly 300 beautiful two-page illustrations to capture even the youngest child's imagination and heart, this vast collection of the Bible's most-loved stories is just right for sharing together or reading alone throughout the day.
My First Hands-On Bible - My First Hands-On Bible is the preschooler version of the popular Hands-On Bible, which has sold over a half million copies. Jesus taught with hands-on lessons and illustrations; My First Hands-On Bible uses the same experience-based learning to communicate God’s Word in an active, understandable way.
The Word & Song Bible - Every book of the Bible is represented with a memory verse, story, and song for each.
The songs are on Spotify!
Shine On: A Story Bible - Grow lifelong faith one story at a time. Each story in Shine On is beautifully crafted, maintaining the spirit and poetry of the biblical text in language that is fresh and engaging for children. The 320-page hardcover is filled with lively illustrations that help children of all ages connect to the stories. As a bonus, sidebars with thought-provoking questions, interesting facts, and simple activities invite families and congregations to take each story a few steps further.
The Jesus Storybook Bible - The Jesus Storybook Bible is very different from every other kids’ Bibles. While other kids’ Bibles contain stories from the Old and New Testaments, The Jesus Storybook Bible tells the Story beneath all the stories in the Bible, pointing to Jesus as our Savior. From the Old Testament through the New Testament, as the Story unfolds, children will clearly see that Jesus is at the center of God's great story of salvation—and at the center of their story too. Every story whispers His Name.

Ages 8-11

The Kid's Devotional Bible -The Kids’ Devotional Bible makes Bible reading fun! Updated and expanded features include: Short weekday devotions that help young readers apply Bible lessons for a full year 52 weekend devotions that teach kids about God’s creation through fun activities like visiting the zoo and gazing at the stars New “Got It” feature that encourages kids to find answers to Bible trivia themselves Book introductions that give helpful information about each book of the Bible A dictionary to look up words they want to know more about The complete NIrV text is written a third grade reading level, using shorter sentences and easier words.
Following Jesus Bible -The ESV Following Jesus Bible is full of outstanding content designed to help children understand and enjoy the Bible. Designed for children ages 8–12 as they transition from a beginner’s Bible, nearly every other page features a box answering the who, what, where, when, or why of a particular text. “Seeing Jesus” sections explain how certain Bible passages point to Christ and “Following Jesus” sections connect the Bible with the hearts and lives of young readers.
The Adventure Bible - The bestselling NIV Adventure Bible® will get kids excited about reading the Scriptures! Your kids will be captivated with the full-color features that make it fun and engaging to read the Bible and memorize their favorite verses. Along the way they will meet all types of people, see all sorts of places, and learn all kinds of things about the Bible. Most importantly, they will grow closer in their relationship with God.

Ages 11-18

Following Jesus Bible -The ESV Following Jesus Bible is full of outstanding content designed to help children understand and enjoy the Bible. Designed for children ages 8–12 as they transition from a beginner’s Bible, nearly every other page features a box answering the who, what, where, when, or why of a particular text. “Seeing Jesus” sections explain how certain Bible passages point to Christ and “Following Jesus” sections connect the Bible with the hearts and lives of young readers.
ESV Student Study Bible - The ESV Student Study Bible is adapted from the ESV Study Bible and is ideally suited for students who are serious about God’s Word—who want to learn more about what the Bible teaches and how the Bible applies to all of life.
NIV Student Bible -With over six million sold, the classic, bestselling NIV Student Bible has been redesigned and updated, ready to light a spark in the hearts of today’s students. The NIV Student Bible is specifically designed to help readers understand and navigate the Bible text with tools like the Subject Guide, Highlights and Insights, and 3-Track reading plan.
Apologetics Study Bible for Students -The Apologetics Study Bible for Students anchors younger Christians in the truths of Scripture by equipping them with thoughtful and practical responses for whenever the core issues of their faith and life are challenged.
NIV Beautiful Word Bible -Crafted on high-quality paper and balanced with inspiring full-color art and blank space for your own drawings and journaling, the NIV Beautiful WordTM Bible will encourage a deeper and more authentic quiet time. With 500 verses illustrated to help you see the rich diversity of stories, characters, prophecies, rewards, and hope contained within Scripture, you will discover wisdom to sustain you in every season, drawing you deeper into God’s life-changing Word.

Crystal Sarno

Keeping the Faith Program, CSLI Fellow Crystal Sarno is the President of Perspectives Group, Inc., a design and marketing company that has served in public, private and non-profit sectors. She is also a CSLI Fellow and the Project Manager for the Keeping the Faith program at the C.S. Lewis Institute in Washington D.C. Crystal is a mother and grandmother who loves the Lord and has a heart for discipling the children in her life and helping others do the same. She has two grown children, both brilliant and beautiful and a darling grandson.  

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