How to Prepare Your Children for the Ark Encounter: A Christian Mother’s Guide to Ready Their Hearts and Minds
The Ark Encounter: A Powerful Experience for Your Christian Walk
As a Christian mother, few things are more rewarding than seeing your children experience the Bible come to life. A visit to the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky, is one such unforgettable opportunity. This life-sized replica of Noah’s Ark brings the Genesis flood narrative to towering reality—and it can be a powerful experience when hearts are prepared ahead of time.
Here’s how to help your children get the most out of their Ark Encounter adventure, both spiritually and educationally. If you’re looking for ways to make your visit go smoothly, here is a complete guide to visiting the Ark Encounter.
1. Start with the Bible—Read Together
Before your trip, gather as a family to read together Genesis chapters 6–9. Depending on your children’s ages, you might read directly from the Bible or use a children’s Bible storybook to make it more engaging.
Talk about:
Why God told Noah to build the Ark
What it meant for Noah to obey God in faith
God’s judgment, mercy, and promise (the rainbow!)
These foundational truths will help your kids understand the purpose of the Ark and its deeper meaning beyond just being “a big boat.”
Start with reading the Bible account in Genesis 6-9
2. Spark Curiosity with Questions
Invite your children into the wonder of the story by asking thought-provoking questions like:
How big was the Ark?
How did Noah care for all the animals?
What would it be like to live on the Ark?
The Massive Ark
These kinds of questions create anticipation and help them see the Ark Encounter as more than just a field trip—it’s a chance to explore God’s Word in new ways.
3. Watch a Preview or Two
There are family-friendly preview videos and virtual tours available online from Answers in Genesis, the organization behind the Ark Encounter. Watching together can help kids know what to expect and get excited without being overwhelmed when they arrive.
You might say: “Look! That’s the real-size Ark we’re going to walk through. Can you believe Noah and his family lived inside something this big?”
4. Connect Science and Faith
The Ark Encounter does an incredible job of showing how the biblical flood could have happened from both a faith-based and scientific standpoint. This can be a great home school lesson in your curriculum.
Before your visit, explore:
Animal kinds and how they fit on the Ark
How Noah’s family might have stored food and removed waste (The Ark Encounter provides ideas)
The historical evidence of a global flood (The Ark has a whole section designated for this)
This gives your children a sense that the Bible is not just spiritually true—but historically and scientifically credible too.
5. Pray Before You Go
Take time as a family to pray before your trip. Ask God to:
Open your children’s hearts to His truth
Help them grow in faith through what they see
Create lasting memories that strengthen your family’s walk with Christ
Pray Before Entering
A simple prayer like, “Lord, help us to have eyes to see Your divine hand in everything we learn on this trip,” sets the tone for the day.
6. Bring Along a Travel Devotional or Journal
During the trip, encourage your kids to draw what they see or jot down their favorite parts. You can also pack a simple devotional to read together at lunch or on the drive home.
This helps reinforce the message and gives them a personal takeaway they can reflect on later.
7. Reflect After the Trip
Once you’re home, continue the conversation and talk about what stood out most to each child:
What surprised them?
What did they learn about God?
How can we trust God like Noah did?
Consider creating a small scrapbook or photo album with notes, drawings, and pictures from the day to remember how God used this trip to plant seeds of faith.
Closing Thoughts
As a Christian mom, you have a beautiful opportunity to guide your children’s hearts toward truth while making lasting family memories. By preparing them spiritually, mentally, and emotionally, the Ark Encounter can be more than just a trip—it can be a turning point in their understanding of God’s Word.
May your journey to the Ark be filled with wonder, worship, and the deep joy of seeing your children encounter the greatness of God.
Watch our Instagram video of our visit and please follow Discovering Anew for more Christian family content and travel recommendations!
