I read a great tip a while back for keeping kids occupied AND learning while sitting in church with their parents. We have since added to those tips. It is also a great method for training the children to take notes for academic purposes.
**For the youngest/non-readers** They are to listen to the pastor and draw a picture of something he is talking about. If they cannot follow along with a story lin, Momm will choose a word, give a simple definition and the child will tap Mommy or Daddy on the leg when they hear it mentioned in the sermon. For instance the other day our pastor was talking about praise. I whispered the meaning of praise in Jake's ear (4 1/2 years old) and then had him tap me every time he heard the word. At our "review time" with the family every Sunday night he was able to proudly tell me what he had learned. He now looks forward to the "quiz word" every Sunday.
**For young readers/writers** They take a word the pastor says and write it down and then draw a picture of something the pastor is talking about around it. For older readers/writers, they write a sentence or quote that the pastor says and draw around it. They also fill in the blanks on note sheets that our church provides for children! This is wonderful!
**As they get older** They write more and more of what the pastor says, as well as fill in the blanks on their note sheets.
All of this not only occupies their hands, but also their minds and hearts. They will pay even closer attention to the sermon if Daddy (the spiritual head and discipler of his wife and children - Eph. 6:4) asks them to show their work to the family on Sunday afternoon. The kids will look forward to sharing their work, as well as sharing what GOD taught their little hearts. Sunday should be a precious day for the family and this is a way for all the family members - young and old - to learn from God!
We use these methods with our children, as we go to a "family integrated church". They retain SO MUCH since we started implementing these techniques. Another thing to help the ones (say 24 months and under) to stay quiet is to train them in 'blanket time". We are just starting this in our family, but our 18 month old sits and plays with toys regularly now during our own family worship AND she's getting better with it in church, as well.
Mark and Lisa Metzger
? Read one story a night (all Biblically accurate), sing a song or two and maybe come up with a Bible verse for everyone to memorize! This only takes about 10 minutes a night (or more if you'd like!). Ten minutes a night is very little to start leading your family in a direction that will prove multi-generational! 
