Searching for
kids activities near me
In October 2024, Tiffany and her young son Malachi were simply looking for a fun Halloween activity. Like so many of us, she opened her phone and searched online for something nearby. “I was just looking for something fun to do with my son,” Tiffany shared. “And I saw this event at a church — it was about 25 minutes away, so we went.”
They enjoyed the trick-or-treating, photo ops and the fun Where’s Waldo Search. They were expecting candy and costumes… and they got that — plus an invitation that would begin rewriting Tiffany’s story. Someone at the event casually asked her, “Hey, are you staying for service?” Tiffany hadn’t planned on it, but said yes anyway. That simple invitation cracked open the door to a completely new life.
wheres waldo
She remembers walking into the service feeling unsure. “It was so big… and so new. I thought, ‘I’m not coming back.’” But as music began, something stirred. “The vibes were overwhelming — but in a good way. Extreme, but beautiful. And I found myself coming back every weekend.”
Over the following months, Tiffany’s heart began to change. She kept showing up. She got connected. In February, when she heard the invitation to get baptized – she was the very first one in the water.
And get this: she’s terrified of water. “I haven’t been under since I was six,” she laughed. “I didn’t plan on getting baptized. I didn’t even bring clothes. But something inside me that day… I just knew God was with me.”
With shaking hands and a racing heart, Tiffany stepped into the pool. “I thought I was going to panic, but when I went under, I felt this peace I’ve never felt before. Ever! It was so real. So personal. God was with me in that water.”
Since that day, everything’s changed.
“I see the world differently now,” Tiffany said. “I care more. I notice people. I help without even thinking about it. I’m more thoughtful and willing. It’s like I’m not the same person I was last year.”
Why This Story Matters
One small moment — “Are you staying for service?” — led to a radical life change. A decision to follow Jesus. A baptism. And now, a completely transformed heart.
This is the power of a fun event! This is what we mean by creating events where kids will drag their parents to church. We hope this brings someone to mind that you’d want to invite.
So… who might be one invitation away from their breakthrough?
- A co-worker who’s quietly overwhelmed
- A neighbor you chat with during school drop-off
- A friend scrolling for something to do with their kids
Maybe you’re looking for
free family activities
That’s exactly how Tiffany’s journey started — just looking for a fun event to share with her son.
What she found was community, purpose, and a deep connection with God she didn’t expect.
If you’re reading this and just looking for something safe, fun, and memorable to do with your child – you’re in the right place.
Eastside is all about creating environments just for kids – and where parents can feel welcomed, relaxed, and connected.
You don’t have to believe what we believe to attend.
You don’t need to know anyone.
Just come as you are.
And who knows?
Like Tiffany, you might just stumble into something deeper – something you didn’t even know your heart was searching for.
If you were inspired by this story, we would love to tell you more about Eastside. We have a relentless love and commitment for all to know God. We are committed to finding unique ways to serve in our local communities and help our global neighbors. We are passionate about finding solutions, building bridges, and bringing the love and hope of Jesus to hurting communities. We would love to invite you to join us in person or online. At Eastside we believe that this is a place for everyone, wherever you are on your journey. If you would like to find out more about Eastside, please visit eastside.com.