Can I use imessenger on iPhone not on carrier

Recently upgraded to iPhone six, want to give kids old iPhone 4S to use, have erase and reset and updated to newest iOS, Apple ID made thru family sharing, unable to activate FaceTime and imessenger. After typing in Apple ID and password, it states waiting for activation...., the phone will not be activated thru any carrier ( ATT, Verizon,Sprint.......). is that why it won't activate?