Looking for a musical that will captivate your kids and share the Gospel? These five resources offer ready-to-use scripts, scores, and digital packages to make your next production a breeze.
The Landscape of Christian Children's Musicals
Christian children's musicals have evolved from simple pageants to full-scale productions with professional backing tracks, flexible casting, and multi-generational appeal. Churches and schools now have a wealth of options, from downloadable digital packages to printed choral collections. The key is finding a resource that matches your group's size, skill level, and theological emphasis. Whether you need a Christmas show or a year-round parable-based musical, these providers offer diverse choices to engage young hearts and minds.
How We Evaluated These Musical Resources
We looked at each provider's catalog depth, ease of use, and flexibility for different group sizes. We considered the availability of audio previews and sample scripts, as well as the range of themes—from Christmas to parables. Pricing transparency and digital delivery options were also key factors. Finally, we assessed how well each resource supports inclusive casting and multi-generational participation, ensuring every child can shine.
Here's a quick snapshot of the five providers, highlighting their unique strengths and what they're best for.
| Provider | Best For |
|---|---|
| Little Big Stuff Music | Churches with young kids seeking high-impact, easy-to-stage musicals |
| Christian Musicals & Skits for Kids | Open Heart Musicals | Churches and schools needing flexible, digital-ready musicals with inclusive casting |
| Brentwood Benson | Choirs seeking professionally arranged musicals with orchestration support |
| 95 Church | Drama ministries looking for a variety of plays and musicals with flexible casting |
| Word Choral Club | Music directors wanting a large catalog of kids' musicals from multiple publishers |
Detailed Look at Each Musical Resource
#1 Little Big Stuff Music
A screenshot of the Little Big Stuff Music website.
Little Big Stuff Music focuses on high-quality musicals for younger children, with a mission to deliver 'great musicals for LITTLE folks with BIG impact.' They offer 16 Christmas musicals and numerous non-seasonal options, all centered on the Gospel. You can listen to entire musicals and read complete scripts online, which is a huge help when deciding. Their catalog includes creative settings like diners and spaceships, making biblical stories fresh and engaging. If you want a musical that's fun, easy to stage, and deeply impactful, this is a top choice.
#2 Christian Musicals & Skits for Kids | Open Heart Musicals
A screenshot of the Christian Musicals & Skits for Kids | Open Heart Musicals website.
Open Heart Musicals offers ready-to-use Christian children's musicals, sound stories, and Bible Beats designed to engage every child and build faith. Their award-winning shows like 'What's Up, Zak?' and 'Land of the Lost and Found' feature memorable characters and solid New Testament storytelling. They emphasize flexibility for any group size and inclusive casting, ensuring every child can participate. Digital packages are available for immediate download, making preparation quick and easy. With options for Christmas, parables, and interactive sound stories, this resource is a versatile addition to any ministry.
#3 Brentwood Benson
A screenshot of the Brentwood Benson website.
Brentwood Benson is a well-known publisher of choral music, offering a wide range of musicals and collections for kids and youth. Their catalog includes seasonal favorites like 'Rejoice! It's Christmas!' and 'Sing, Children Sing,' with arrangements for unison and 2-part choirs. They provide orchestration and track options, making it easy for music directors to tailor performances. With a focus on worshipful and joyful music, Brentwood Benson is a reliable choice for traditional church choirs. Their extensive experience ensures high-quality production values and theological soundness.
#4 95 Church
A screenshot of the 95 Church website.
95 Church specializes in Christian plays and musicals for children's theatre, with a wide array of categories including Christmas, Easter, and all-year plays. They feature works from multiple playwrights, offering fresh perspectives on biblical stories. Their site allows you to filter by cast size, price, and category, making it easy to find a show that fits your group. With options for both musicals and non-musical plays, 95 Church provides flexibility for drama-focused ministries. They also offer online shows and resources, which is great for remote or hybrid productions.
#5 Word Choral Club
A screenshot of the Word Choral Club website.
Word Choral Club offers a vast selection of kids' musicals and collections from trusted publishers like Word Music and WordKidz. Their catalog includes over 160 items, with options for unison/2-part voicing and easy performance levels. You'll find seasonal musicals for Christmas and Easter, as well as non-seasonal themes. They also provide resources like accompaniment tracks and director's manuals. If you're looking for a broad range of choices from established authors, Word Choral Club is a solid resource.
How to Choose the Right Musical for Your Group
Start by considering the age range and size of your group. If you have younger children, look for musicals with simple melodies and flexible casting, like those from Little Big Stuff or Open Heart Musicals. For larger choirs with more experienced singers, Brentwood Benson or Word Choral Club offer more complex arrangements. Think about the season—Christmas musicals are popular, but year-round options like parable-based shows can be used anytime. Also, check if the provider offers audio previews or sample scripts so you can gauge the style and message. Finally, consider your budget and whether digital downloads or printed copies fit your needs.
Streamlining Your Musical Production
Once you've selected a musical, use digital tools to streamline rehearsals. Many providers offer accompaniment tracks that you can share with families for at-home practice. Use scheduling apps to coordinate rehearsals and communicate with parents. For costume and set design, consider using online templates or Pinterest boards for inspiration. Finally, leverage social media to promote your production and engage the congregation.
Final Thoughts on Choosing a Musical
Choosing the right musical can transform your children's ministry, creating lasting memories and deepening faith. Each of these five providers brings something unique, whether it's the simplicity of Open Heart Musicals' digital packages or the professional polish of Brentwood Benson. Take advantage of free previews and sample scripts to find the perfect fit. Remember, the goal is to engage every child and share the Gospel in a way that resonates. With the right resource, your next production can be a highlight of the year.