Our Religious Education classes are designed to enrich the spiritual lives of children, youth, and families. We strive to help one another grow in spiritual practice, deepen understanding and respect for our religiously diverse world, and live UU principles in daily life. We encourage parents and guardians to ask questions, visit classrooms, and participate in a variety of programs to support spiritual growth. We look forward to working with you to nurture the spiritual lives of our children and youth!

Kelly Stokes, Director of Lifespan Religious Education


In September 2023, our class and service times are changing to provide more options for families. Choose your own adventure!

10:00-10:50 – Sunday School (aka RE classes) for PreK-12th Graders
Find class details below.

11:00-12:00 – Worship Service
Families can all attend together, with children and youth choosing to stay in the service or leave for playground time after the first 15 minutes.
Look for fidgets, coloring sheets, and books on carts just outside the sanctuary doors.

11:15-ish-12:00 – Playground Time
After the Story for All Ages, the children will be sung out to the care of our child care staff, who will supervise them on the playground, where they can color, read, or play. They can be picked up from the playground when the service ends.
(During uncomfortable weather, we will stay inside with games and crafts.)
Middle and High Schoolers are welcome to hang or help out on the playground, if they’d like.

9:45-12:15 – Child Care
Babies, toddlers, and young preschoolers are welcome in the Nursery during any or all of the above activities.


Register Your Family!

We will add you to our Families with Children and Youth Group so you can receive updates about current events. Parents can also connect with other church families on our Facebook group: First UU Families Page.


Find connection, community, and inspiration by volunteering with our program. Sign up here to volunteer.


Sunday Religious Education Classes

Our classes are grouped by grade level, with overlap built in to allow everyone to find their best fit. 

All classes meet from 10:00-10:50. Please come a few minutes early to check in and find the right class. 

Infants and Toddlers: Learning through Love

Every Sunday, childcare is provided for infants, toddlers, and young preschoolers during the worship services. We have professional childcare providers to ensure a safe and nurturing experience for our youngest churchgoers. Older children are given the opportunity to participate in storytime and crafts in preparation for Sunday School. You are welcome to drop off your children in the nursery before the worship service begins.

In addition to the nursery, we offer a well-appointed Gentle Room at the back of the sanctuary, with a large window to view the service in privacy with your babies or toddlers, if that is more comfortable for you. They are always welcome in the worship service, no matter how much they exercise their lungs.

PreK – 3rd Graders: Let’s Learn with Bluey

We watch and discuss the UU themes in short Bluey Videos, then play, draw, and build on the theme with free choice centers. 

Children are ready to join the PreK-Kindergarten class when they can use the restroom independently and participate in group games and activities, usually around 4 years old.

2nd-5th Graders: Superhero Academy

Behind the colorful spandex, superhuman abilities, and crime fighting antics, there are real lessons to be learned from superheroes about anti-oppression, personal responsibility, and love. We explore these lessons through stories and play. 

4th-8th Graders: Games to Build Community

We use games to connect and learn, with an emphasis on building community.  After time to check in, which can be superficial or more in-depth, depending on comfort levels, we’ll have a quick lesson on some facet of Unitarian Universalism and then dive into a game!

High School Youth Group: Building Community through Coming of Age

Share in community, fellowship, and love. Our 9th-12th Graders explore activities from a Coming of Age program, designed to help them articulate their beliefs. Following the students’ lead, we take this slowly, spending lots of time listening to each other and building a strong youth group.


Additional Programs

Music Programs for Children & Youth

The Children’s Music Ensemble and Youth Choir offer the children and youth of First UU Austin a high level of musical experience and the opportunity for personal expression of faith.

Summer Camps

Every summer First UU Austin offers CampUU, a day camp for ages 6 and up designed to build comfort and community at church and foster familiarity with UU concepts.

Each summer, UBarU – a UU camp and retreat center – offers week-long summer camps for 4th-12thgraders near Kerrville, Texas.

Our Whole Lives
Sexuality Education (OWL)

Our Whole Lives is a Unitarian Universalist Association-approved lifespan human sexuality course.  This course addresses issues such as body development, gender, sexuality, reproduction, relationships, and safety. A parent orientation is mandatory for participation in all children and youth OWL classes. Visit our OWL page for more information.


Volunteering with Children and Youth Faith Development

Our Children and Youth programs are a community endeavor; help from church congregants is vital. A wide variety of volunteer opportunities are available to those who wish to assist with the various tasks involved in educating our children. Learn more and sign up here.


All our programs are designed in accordance with our Child and Youth Safety Policy.