With Easter right around the corner, a lot of kids’ pastors are asking the same question: what do we give to kids who visit?

My post 4 Simple Ways to Improve Kids Check-in touched on this briefly, but it focused mainly on parents. You definitely need to welcome your parents, but what about the kids themselves? How do you give them something meaningful, something they'll love, and something that makes them want to come back?

That's a tall order for any gift. You need to strike a balance between marketing your ministry and giving something genuinely thoughtful. I don't have a perfect answer, but here's what has worked well for me over the years.

1. Candy

Kids love candy. They will do just about anything to get it, and it's a rare child who isn't motivated by it. If you want to make an impression, make it good.

I never gave a guest a small piece of candy as a first-time gift. A two-pack of Starburst does not say "thanks for coming." I always wanted to give something most parents would say no to in the grocery aisle. I'm talking large boxes or even larger tubes. I find most of mine at Walmart or Five Below.

I don't give this special candy to regulars except on special occasions. Throughout the year I'll challenge my kids to invite their friends, and when they do, both the kid and their guest get a box. It's worked well for me.

One thing to keep in mind: not all candy is the same. Kids have preferences, and more and more have dietary restrictions. When I had a store, I let kids pick which one they wanted. It meant carrying more inventory, but it showed I cared.

The rule that has served me well is "fruity and chewy." Chocolate is almost always produced near nuts, and nut allergies are not something to take lightly. Chewy candy also helps ease parents' concerns about choking hazards, especially with younger kids. So skip the Jolly Ranchers and Hershey bars and reach for Sour Patch Kids, Starburst, and Skittles instead.

2. Branded Gifts

One of the main reasons we give gifts to guests is to make the experience memorable. That's why branded merchandise is an entire industry. The key is finding something cost-effective and actually useful. As I've said before, nobody wants another branded coffee cup. Your kids especially.

Over the years I've used pens, pencils, shirts, and koozies. They range from very inexpensive to pricier investments depending on what you choose. More recently I've experimented with water bottles for adults. The jury is still out on that one.

One gift I've never used but that made a big impression on my son is the color-changing cup. When you pour in a cold drink, the temperature causes the cup to change color, like a mood ring in cup form. He loved every one we received from various businesses, and they're still in our cabinet years later even after they've stopped changing. Since these are custom items, you can put your logo, a Bible verse, or anything else you'd like on them. Just make sure your logo is on there somewhere. Guests may forget where they got it otherwise.

3. Challenge Them to Come Back

Getting a guest through the door once is a win. But the real goal is getting them back. After a first visit, I like to send a postcard inviting them to return. For kids, I tell them if they come back and bring the card, they get another prize.

Most of the time that prize was another box of candy, but you can go bigger with a tube or a branded t-shirt. The key is giving them something specific to look forward to. When I had a store I let them pick anything they wanted, but that actually wasn't as effective. Being specific works better. Better yet, show them what they'll get while they're still standing in front of you.

Research shows that if someone returns three times in a short period, they're far more likely to become a regular. With that in mind, keep challenging your kids and parents to come back at least three times within two months. I go deeper on that strategy in this post.

4. Don't Forget the Parents

Unlike student or adult ministry, your kids can't drive themselves to church. You can win over the children all you want, but if you don't win the parents, you won't see them again.

So when you're handing out gifts to kids, give something to the parents too. The church I've seen do this best is Church of the Highlands in Alabama. I adopted their approach to build my own Guest Experience Kit. Every parent receives an info packet with a letter from the kids pastor outlining key policies, procedures, and what their child can expect each week. Alongside the letter, I include a parenting book. My go-to is Praying Circles Around Your Children. I visited Church of the Highlands just one time years ago, and I'm still talking about it. That's the kind of impression you want to make.

Guests come for all kinds of reasons. They're searching for a new church, looking for Jesus, visiting out-of-town family, or they just walked in. Whatever brought them through the door, your gift is a chance to show them you're glad they came and you want them back. A great gift helps. But it can't replace genuine human connection. Be helpful. Be welcoming. Bring them Jesus. And trust God to take care of the rest.