Printable Bible Reading Plans for Kids
In this blog post, you will find a free Bible reading plan for kids that you can download. A daily Bible reading plan is a great way to begin learning from the stories in the Bible. As parents, we should not wait to teach our children—they are not too young to learn from Scripture! I explain this more in depth in one of my previous blog posts, which you can read here.
If you would like to read through the entire Bible in a year, check out the Reading Through the Whole Bible in 365 Days plan. Older teenagers might also enjoy this plan, but for younger kids, it may be too overwhelming. That is why I created the free PDF below!
Why Bible Reading Plans Help Kids
You know how much your child is capable of doing—both in understanding and in staying focused on a given text. Bible reading should not be tiring or exhausting for them. Short and pleasant is better than long and troublesome. We want our children to experience God’s Word as something uplifting and enjoyable. I suggest that you begin by reading together with your child. This is a wonderful way to connect and to check their understanding. Most likely, they will ask questions, which is a great way for them to learn and a perfect opportunity for you to teach and guide them.
As parents, we want our children to grow spiritually and develop a steady, long-lasting relationship with Jesus. Introducing a simple Bible reading plan for older kids—especially one that makes reading progress visible—can be a great help. You know your child best and understand where he or she is in their learning journey with the Bible. Take small steps and start with something simple. It is better to set short, achievable goals than to overwhelm your child with too much structure, which can lead to frustration and negative feelings.
So what would suit a child to read that is both interesting and fun? In this blog post, I am focusing on older children, ages ten and up. I wanted a plan that encourages daily reading over 30 days and that goes through entire books of the Bible. Personally, I enjoy getting the whole picture and developing a deeper understanding of what I read. That is why I prefer creating reading plans for kids that help them learn in the same way.
For this reason, I created a plan that focuses on shorter books or Gospels that can be read in their entirety. From the Old Testament, I chose the books of Ruth and Jonah. They contain engaging Bible stories, are enjoyable to read, and can be completed in a short time. From the New Testament, I selected Mark, Philippians, James, and 1 John. All of these books are relatively short, which makes it more motivating for children to finish them.
Having a reading plan helps children focus on one book of the Bible at a time and supports them in building a daily habit of studying Scripture. You will also find discussion questions that give your child the opportunity to reflect on what they have learned. Try to be available during this time—or later in the day—if your child wants to ask questions or talk about what they read. This time is precious, and asking questions is one of the best ways to learn.
What Makes a Good Kids’ Bible Reading Plan?
The plan needs to be visually interesting for kids, and the daily Bible reading should be short. Because of this, the plan can be a fun and engaging way for your child to learn more about God’s Word. Creating a plan that encourages daily Scripture reading also helps children prioritize Bible lessons and develop lifelong habits of seeking the Lord.
Keeping the plan simple is key to maintaining their interest. If it feels too complicated, they may lose motivation and give up. To keep kids encouraged and inspired, you might consider offering a small reward once they complete the plan—perhaps a small gift, some spending money, a trip to a nearby place, or an activity they truly enjoy. You know your child best!
Encourage them to stick with the plan, and if they enjoy reading together with you, consider making it a special family time. Gathering as a family to read the daily Bible passage can be especially helpful for children who are easily distracted or tend to lose interest quickly. Another way to make it even more fun is to offer small rewards along the way, such as at the end of each week. In my family, rewards are incredibly effective—kids love them!
For kids with busy schedules, this simple plan makes it easier for both children and parents to keep track of daily readings and visualize their progress.
Types of Printable Bible Reading Plans
In the free download below, you’ll find Bible stories that are easy to understand and provide powerful lessons for children. That’s why I created these Bible reading plans for the books of Jonah, Ruth, Mark, Philippians, James, and 1 John. All of these books are relatively short, making them a great way for kids to start getting to know the Bible.
If you prefer to go slower than 30 days, you can spread the readings out over several months and focus on one book at a time. The goal isn’t to rush through the Bible, but to help children develop the habit of engaging with daily Scripture readings.
The PDF contains multiple Bible reading plans that you can divide into sections, or read through all of them in 30 days, studying one Bible book at a time.
How to Use These Printables With Kids
The best way to make this plan successful is to set aside a time for the whole family to do a Bible study together—maybe every evening before or after dinner. Keep it short, especially if little children are joining. Another great option is to set aside a special time for just you and your older child, reading through the Scripture passage together, discussing it, and answering any questions that come up—which, most likely, there will be!
If your child is responsible, disciplined, and able to manage their own schedule, you might consider letting them work through the plan independently. It usually takes about 15–30 minutes a day to complete the reading.
Encouragement for Kids through the word of God
The goal is to help kids grow in their understanding of who God is and inspire them to develop a personal relationship with Jesus. These printable worksheets are designed to give your child a strong start. As they begin reading, you can discuss the passages together, learn from them, and apply the lessons to real life. My hope is that this reading plan will be a true encouragement for your child and a fun way for them to learn!
I’ve divided the books into a 30-day plan, which you can follow as listed below:
Book 1: Jonah (4 Chapters)
Theme: Obedience, mercy, and God’s compassion
Days: 1–4
- Day 1: Jonah 1 – Jonah Runs from God
- Day 2: Jonah 2 – Jonah Prays
- Day 3: Jonah 3 – Jonah Obeys
- Day 4: Jonah 4 – God Shows Mercy
Reflection: What does Jonah teach us about God?
Book 2: Ruth (4 Chapters)
Theme: Loyalty, kindness, God’s plan
Days: 5–8
- Day 5: Ruth 1 – Choosing Faith
- Day 6: Ruth 2 – God Provides
- Day 7: Ruth 3 – Trust and Obedience
- Day 8: Ruth 4 – God Redeems
Reflection: How does God work through ordinary people?
Book 3: Mark (Gospel – Short & Action-Focused)
Theme: Who Jesus is
Days: 9–16
Read 2 chapters per day
- Day 9: Mark 1–2
- Day 10: Mark 3–4
- Day 11: Mark 5–6
- Day 12: Mark 7–8
- Day 13: Mark 9–10
- Day 14: Mark 11–12
- Day 15: Mark 13–14
- Day 16: Mark 15–16
Reflection: What do you learn about Jesus from Mark?
Book 4: Philippians (4 Chapters)
Theme: Joy, faith, and living for Christ
Days: 17–20
- Day 17: Philippians 1 – Living for Christ
- Day 18: Philippians 2 – Jesus’ Example
- Day 19: Philippians 3 – Pressing Forward
- Day 20: Philippians 4 – Peace and Joy
Reflection: What brings true joy?
Book 5: James (5 Chapters)
Theme: Faith in action
Days: 21–25
- Day 21: James 1 – Faith & Perseverance
- Day 22: James 2 – Faith That Works
- Day 23: James 3 – Controlling Our Words
- Day 24: James 4 – Humility
- Day 25: James 5 – Patience & Prayer
Reflection: How can faith change how we live?
Theme: God’s love and truth
Days: 26–30
Book 6: 1 John (5 Chapters)
- Day 26: 1 John 1 – Walking in the Light
- Day 27: 1 John 2 – Obedience & Love
- Day 28: 1 John 3 – Children of God
- Day 29: 1 John 4 – God Is Love
- Day 30: 1 John 5 – Faith & Victory
Final Reflection: What does it mean to live as a child of God?
