We have used and continue to use a variety of activities to focus the children's attention on the story. We have had them draw their own picture of the events in the chapter. We have used Bible coloring books. Either of these two things works some days better than others. Sometimes the paper and crayons distract them from the story.
Some children can listen better while their hands are busy.
Others get lost in their drawings. If you have a set of Bible story felts, you might find that they help focus your children's attention on the story. We have had the children make their own books illustrating and retelling the story. The youngest children dictate to Mom. We have acted out portions of a story.