Looking for a solid Bible for your kids that does not water down the Gospel message of Jesus Christ? There are many good Children's Bibles, but the question is how do you choose one?!
What's more, there are many children's Bibles that are specifically created and designed to meet the developmental progress of specific age groups.
Although the following list is not inclusive, it will give you a starting point for the best children's Bible that you can purchase for your little ones.
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What is a good Bible for a child?
The simple answer to this question is that a Bible is a good Bible for a child. The Word of God does not need embellishments or fancy scripts to make it applicable to the life of your child. It may come as a shock to some, but the Holy Spirit does not need our help.
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
John 14:26 ESV
Yet, there is still some prudence to picking a Bible for our young children that will encourage them to get excited about the Word of God. After all, God did make us develop throughout our childhood and therefore we understand certain parts of scripture at different points of our development.
An ESV study Bible is not going to be very helpful to a three-year-old.
So, yes, there are children's Bibles that are going to be more helpful depending on the age of your child. So, hang on to your hats, let's dive into some of the best children's Bibles.
Is there a Children's Version of the Bible?
There is not a translation of the Bible that is specifically made for children, however, there are plenty of story Bibles that have been paraphrased for the purpose of a young child understanding the stories.
The best way for your child to understand the Bible at a young age is for you to read it together. Have a family devotional time, even if it is very short, and start infusing the truths of the Word of God into their lives at a very young age.
The 20 Best Children's Bibles
Picking only 10 of the best children's Bibles out there has been quite the task. There are so many good ones out there that have met the challenge of producing a quality children's Bible that reflects the Gospel and meets the development of the age group of children they are targeting.
These are some of the best children's Bibles available.
Children's Bibles for Babies and Toddlers
This little storybook Bible is fantastic for babies and toddlers. Filled with pictures, bright colors, and simple illustrations, the Tiny Tots Bible makes a wonderful shower gift! The pages have no more than 50 words per double page for the quick attention spans of little minds!
Starting as toddlers, children loved to be read to. "Read to me Mama", "Read to me Daddy" These are phrases repeatedly heard until elementary school and maybe beyond! Kids loved to be read to and that is what Ella Lindvall set out to do with her four volumes of the Read Aloud Bible Stories collection.
The stories are simple and the illustrations colorful!
Another way that we have infused Bible stories into our children's lives from an early age is with the Hello Bible Box. I cannot say enough good things about this box. My kids get so excited when that blue and yellow box shows up! You can customize your own subscription box so you can pay every month, three, six, or twelve months.
Each box comes with carefully curated crafts, activities, lesson plans, and parents guides that focus around a Bible study or Biblical concept. 1-2 picture Bible books come with each box and it is designed for one or two children to participate. It has become one of my favorite activities to do with my children each month.
Children's Bibles for Elementary Ages
3. The Jesus Story Book Bible - Ages 5+
I think it is safe to say that I have benefited from this book more than my own children. I highly recommend that every adult that gets this for their children, read through it themselves. It powerfully weaves the story of salvation throughout every Bible story.
4. ESV Bible for Kids - For Beginning to independent readers
For those that are very dedicated to the ESV translation of the Bible, this one might just blow off your socks! It is a full translation Bible with colorful pages. It includes a plan of salvation section and a 'where to go from here' resource.
Perfect for Easly Elementary once a solid foundation of reading is apparent.
I would also recommend checkout Sally Lloyd's additional works, she is very intentional with weaving the Gospel message in all her stories. Her website has many great resources as well, including the Jesus Storybook Bible curriculum!
5. The NIrV Adventure Bible - Ages 6-10
There are many different versions of this Bible, but they are all aimed at helping to get children excited about God's word! Although this is a word-for-word Bible translation, it is still illustrated with beautiful images and lots of 'action step' sections for helping your child to develop their faith.
Some of the special sections that these Bible includes are:
- Life in Bibles Times
- Words to Treasure
- Did you Know?
- People in Bible Times
- Live it!
- Book Introductions
- Dictionary and Concordance
- Bible Map section.
Children's Bibles for Older Children and Independent Readers
6. HCSB Illustrated Study Bible for Kids - Ages 6-12
This Bible is very similar to the Adventure Bible. Although the Bible is quite different in look, much of the additional topical content is similar. The main difference is the translation. Another unique feature is that the words of Jesus are in red, which helps the child understand the importance of Jesus' words.
7. The Action Bible: God's Redemptive Story - Ages 9-11
I originally saw this Bible at Hobby Lobby at all places and spent some time flipping through it. The idea is simple. It's intention is to spark excitement and a love for the stories of God's Word, so the reader will go back and read their Bible. The writer and illustrator worked for DC and Marvel comics, so the illustrations and concepts are spectacular.
There are 230 fast-paced narratives that are in chronological order.
Children's Bibles for Teenagers
8. True Images Bible - for teenage girls
As I have stated before, the best Bible is a Bible! It does not need to be fancy or embellished. God's Word is more than adequate on its own.
However, as children grow, it can be nice to own a Bible that meets them where they are at. The True IMages BIble does that for teenage girls. It is colorful and beautiful but is filled with practical wisdom and application for the modern teen girl. Here are a few of the important cultural topics it addresses.
- perfectionism
- spiritual growth
- popularity on social media
- eating disorders
- self-harm
- relationships
- pornography
- prayer
- sex
- bullying
My favorite part is a section that addresses the principles that shape each girl's worldview. Truly a fantastic choice for your teen girl.
9. Bible for Teen Guys -for teenage guys. 13-18
Growing up as a man in this culture is no easy task. From feminization to constant pressure to be stronger and better, biblical manhood is under attack. It is filled with an honest discussion about what it is going to be like to be a man in this world. The Bible for Teen Guys does not sugar coat it! It also includes daily readings from Biblical thinkers such as; Mark Batterson, Kyle Idleman, Mark Hall, Max Lucado, and more.
10. The ESV Study Bible - for teenagers and beyond
We have gone from the most colorful of Bibles, with the simplest summary of stories, to the ESV Study Bible. We've gone from a finger food bible to a true feast. This Bible includes study notes, cross reference, charts, diagrams, and more.
It truly is a remarkable Bible to launch a child into an adult format of the Bible that they can take with them through a lifetime.
How to Pick a Children's Bible
As you contemplate how to pick a children's Bible for your little take into consideration these three tips.
- Their Reading Level - Each child progresses with reading at a different rate. Some pick up reading quite easy, and some take longer. Consider where your child is at their reading level and pick accordingly.
- Interest - A pre-teen who hates to read, might be more interested in the graphic Bible than a full translation Bible. Sometiems an attractive Bible will draw a child in more than a Bible that is a bit more plain. They are allowed to have opinions! Work with them to discovered their interests.
- Which leads me to my last point work with them! Include them in on the decision making process of buying their Bible. Although it is often tempting to surpirse them on a gift giving occasion, it will do no good if they have no interest in that specific Bible. Certain translations can be confusing to some people. Work with them to find the best translation and then allow them to dive into scipture and discover the adventure of God's word!
