What's Cool with Kids Going into 2019

If you are in children's ministry, you are a missionary. Yes, you read it correctly. You are a missionary to kids. When a missionary goes to a foreign country, he or she prepares by learning everything he or she can learn about the country. What language do they speak? What do they wear? What do they value? What does family mean for them? What is their religious history? What kind of entertainment do they enjoy? If you are going to connect with today's kids, then you have to find out what they deem "cool." Why? Because it shows them you care enough to enter their world. It also gives you common talking points so you can get to know them. So what is "cool" in the world of kids going into a new year? Let's look at a few. Spongebob Squarepants (cartoon show) Star Wars Episode III: Return of the Sith (movie) Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir (TV show - Netflix) My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic (TV series) Star vs. the Forces of Evil (TV series) Gravity Falls (TV series) Paw Patrol (TV series) Pokemon (TV series. game, collectibles) The Amazing World of Gumball (TV series) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (movie, TV series) Incredibles 2 (movie) Smallfoot (movie) Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck It Ralph 2 (movie) Avengers: Infinity Wars (movie) Jurassic Park: Fallen Kingdom (movie) Ant-Man and the Wasp (movie) Baby Shark (song) Party in the Elevator (song) Kidz Bop (song) Cheerios (food) Rice Krispies (food) Raisin' Brand (food) No Tears Left to Cry (song by Ariana Grande) Taylor Swift (music) In My Blood (song by Shawn Mendes) Finesse (music) Fortnite (video game) Grand Theft Auto V (video game) Mindcraft (video game) Assasin's Creed (video game) Call of Duty WW2 (video game) iPhone (technology) iPad (technology) Nintendo Switch (game system) Xbox(game system) Lego Dimensions (game system / construction blocks) Hatchimals (toy) LOL Surprise (toy) Little Live Pets: My Kissing Puppy (toy)

BB-9E App-Enabled Droid with Droid Trainer (toy)

Googly Eyes (game)

Paw Patrol / Sea Patrol (TV show / game)

Harry Potter Hogwarts Battle (game)

Lego: Make Your on Movie (toys / video)

Despicable Me 3 ‘Talking Jail Time Tom’ Minion (movie)

LuvaBella Baby Doll (toy)

Lego: Super Hero Girls (toy)

DreamWorks Trolls ‘Hug Time’ Poppy (toy)

Nike (apparel)

Under Armour (apparel)

Pie Face Game (game)

All-New Fire HD 10 Kids Edition Tablet (technology)

Emoji Gumball Machine with Starter Gumballs (toy)

Speak Out Game (game)

Dubble Bubble Gum (game)

Sour Patch Kids (candy)

Skittles (candy)

Pizza (food)

Chick-Fil-A (food)

Nintendo Switch (video game)

McDonald's (food)

Dairy Queen (food)

You can Google any of these to get more info. about these popular items for kids. You can then use these as talking points to connect with kids and engage them in conversation.

When you talk with kids about items from their world, they are often surprised that you are in the know. It shows kids that you care enough about them to learn what is important to them. And that will cause them to open up to you and receive what you have to say.

Your turn. What popular item is not on the list? Share your items in the comment section below.