“Shepherd, Shepherd, Your Sheep Is Gone!” | Game for Preschoolers

A fun Good Shepherd-themed game to help little ones remember that Jesus watches over us!

Looking for a joyful, low-prep activity to reinforce your Good Shepherd Bible lesson? Try this sweet, giggle-filled game that preschoolers absolutely love!

Inspired by the classic “Doggy, Doggy, Who’s Got Your Bone?” game, this version keeps Jesus front and center by reminding children that the Shepherd always looks out for His sheep—even when they’ve wandered away!

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Bible Connection

This playful game pairs perfectly with the lesson of The Good Shepherd from John 10 and memory verse Psalm 23:1: “The Lord is my shepherd.”

Age Group

Best for ages 3–5
(Note: 3-year-olds may have a hard time keeping the “secret,” but that’s part of the fun!)

Supplies Needed

• 1 stuffed animal sheep (or a sheep cutout or toy lamb)
• 1 chair (optional)
• A small group of children (3 or more)

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How to Play

1. Choose one child to be the Shepherd. Have them sit in a chair at the front of the room with their back to the class. Place the stuffed sheep on the floor beside the chair where the shepherd can’t see it.
2. Quietly pick one child from the group to sneak up, grab the sheep, and hide it behind their back. They’ll return to the group and hide the sheep behind their back.
3. Guide the group to call out together:
   “Shepherd, shepherd, your sheep is gone! Who’s got your sheep?”
4. The Shepherd turns around and gets three chances to guess who has the sheep.
   (Warning: Most little ones will joyfully give away the secret or giggle uncontrollably. That’s okay—it’s all part of the fun!)
5. Once the Shepherd guesses correctly (or runs out of guesses), they rejoin the group, and the child who had the sheep becomes the next Shepherd.

Faith Tie-In

At the end of the game, gather the children and remind them:

“Even when we feel far away or lost, Jesus is our Good Shepherd who comes looking for us because He loves us.”

You could even read Luke 15:4 together:
“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?”

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Tip:

For large groups, play multiple rounds with a new shepherd each time. For extra engagement, let kids baa like sheep while the Shepherd thinks!

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Looking for more preschool-friendly Good Shepherd activities, songs, and lesson ideas?
Visit our full resource page here!

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Have fun shepherding your little flock this week!