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Fun, Sunday School
July 5, 2012

Painting Without Brushes or Easels

By swiley

wileyBWsmall.jpgI teach kindergartners, and we paint almost every week. Usually we paint at the easel with our brushes. But you can paint even if you don’t have an easel. And even if you don’t have brushes. You can paint with any age of kids (2s through preteens).

Here are some ideas for painting with kids without brushes or easels.

 

Use Cotton Swabs – Provide cotton swabs, paint, and paper. Kids can swab, dot, swipe, and create. They develops different skills; it takes control to make the swab do what you want. And they cannot get a lot of paint on the swab so it usually is less mess.

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Use Slinkys – You can purchase small slinkies in the party section of discount stores and online (in bulk). Any shape will work. Kids can dip slinkys into paint. Then they can press the slinkys onto paper or bounce the slinkys onto the paper to create different designs. You can also use large slinkys. (But small slinkys are easier to control and don’t create as much mess.) 

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Use Cookie Cutters – Choose cookie cutters that relate to your session’s focus–letters, animals, shapes, or whatever. Fold a paper towel to fit into an aluminum pan and pour the paint on top of the paper towel. This makes a "paint pad" so paint will more easily adhere to the cookie cutter. Kids will love experimenting with making designs or spelling words.

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Don’t have cookie cutters? Gather containers from your recycle bin or resource room and make prints with them.

circles.jpg Use Shoes – Locate small shoes with different tread patterns. Fold paper towels to put in the aluminum pans and pour paint on the towels to control the amount of paint that gets on the shoe. Encourage children to print and overprint to create designs. You can use shoes of any size (as long as the paper will accommodate them). I like smaller shoes for smaller hands to use.

 

shoes.jpg

Use Marbles – Or golf balls. Or table tennis balls. Or other rolling spheres. These can be used in different ways to paint. Here’s my favorite way. Place paper inside an oatmeal box. Roll a marble in paint and scoop it out with a spoon. Drop the painted marble into the oatmeal box and put the lid on the box. Roll the box back and forth. (Two children can roll the box to each other.) Open the box, pour out the marble (back into the paint). Repeat with the same color or another color if you choose. When complete, remove the paper and set aside to dry.

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Use Hands – You actually don’t need any tools to paint. Just use the ones at the end of your arms. This is messy…no denying it. But it’s fun and low cost.

 

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Why paint? Read this previous post for some of the benefits.

Events, Fun
June 8, 2012

Some Patriotic Activities

By swiley

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Summertime is a time to think about and celebrate our country. Maybe you are planning a special event for July 4. Maybe you are looking to supplement your regular ministries. Here are a few activities that can celebrate the red, white, and blue!

Paint a Fireworks Display
What you need: washable glitter paint (gold, silver, yellow); black paper; shallow box; marbles; plastic bowls and spoons
What you do: Cut the paper to fit in the shallow box. Pour paint into bowls. Place a marble in each bowl of paint and lay a spoon beside each bowl.
What kids do: Guide a child to lay a piece of paper in the shallow box and scoop a marble from one color of paint and drop onto his paper. He can move the box gently so the marble rolls around on the paper, making streaks of paint. Remove the marble from the box and return to the paint. The child can repeat the process with the same or different colored marble. Talk about times when he has seen fireworks. Comment that we often celebrate July 4 and other important dates in our country with fireworks.

Make a Stars-and-Stripes Collage
What you need: white paper, red masking tape, star stickers, waxed paper or laminated piece of paper, child’s scissors
What you do: Tear lengths of the masking tape and place on waxed paper or a laminated piece of paper.
What kids do: Encourage children to use the masking tape strips and stars to create a collage. They may want to make a flag or create patterns and designs. Guide children to use the scissors to cut additional lengths of masking tape.  Comment that the flag is a symbol of our country, the United States. Talk about the stars and stripes on the flag.
Option: Use red paper strips and small paper stars with glue sticks to create collages.

Paint with Koosh® Balls
What you need: large pieces of white or light blue paper, box with tall sides, bright colors of tempera paint, Koosh balls, shallow pans, paint smocks
What you do: Use a box with tall sides or plan to do this activity outside. Pour paint into the shallow pans. Place a ball in each pan. Place a piece of paper in the bottom of the box.
What kids do: Guide a child to drop (not throw) the Koosh ball onto the paper. The result will resemble fireworks. Help the child retrieve the ball and place it back in the appropriate pan. Allow the child to repeat, as desired, with the same or different colors. Talk about times the children see fireworks.

Build Parade Floats
What you need: shoe box lids, index cards, markers, scissors, glue sticks, masking tape (red and blue, if available), ribbon (red, white, blue), chenille stems, peg-type clothespins, fabric scraps (especially red, white, and blue), stickers, cars, wooden people figures, CD player, CD of patriotic music
What kids do: Talk about parades and times we have parades that celebrate our country. Guide them to create a parade with the materials. They may want to use the shoe box lids as bases for floats. They can create additional people with the clothespins. Encourage creativity. Play patriotic music as children line up their parade and weave it through the center.

Have a Parade
What you need: riding toys (wagons, bicycles, tricycles, cars, etc.); red, white, and blue crepe paper; tape; small flags; white paper; star stickers; rhythm instruments
What kids do: Guide kids to stick star stickers on white paper. They can use tape to decorate the riding toys with crepe paper streamers, starry paper, and flags. Guide kids to line up and drive the vehicles in a parade. Others can use the instruments to form a “band” to march in the parade, too.

Hunt for Flags
What you need: digital camera
What kids do: Walk through your neighborhood or drive through your city and find flags. Take pictures of the flags you find. Talk about the places you find flags.
Option: Gather small flags and place them around your neighborhood or inside around the building. Kids can search for the flags and take pictures with the flags they find.
Extend: Print and mount the flags on heavyweight paper. Punch holes in the pages and insert the pages in a binder to create a book.

Pose for Patriotic Pictures
What you need: patriotic bunting, pennants, and windsocks; masking tape; red, white, and blue streamers; variety of red, white, and blue clothing; clothing with stars and stripes; “Uncle Sam” hats; patriotic visors; small flags; digital camera
What you do: Hang the bunting, pennants, and windsocks against a wall (low enough for kids to reach).
What kids do: Kids can use the masking tape and streamers to add to the patriotic backdrop. Encourage children to dress in the red, white, and blue clothing and pose for pictures in front of the patriotic decor. Take individual or group pictures, as you choose.
Extend: Use the pictures to create a poster, bulletin board display, or book.

Make Red, White, and Blue Snacks
What you need: vanilla yogurt, blueberries, strawberries, small cups, plastic spoons, plastic knives
What kids do: Cut the strawberries into pieces. Spoon some yogurt into a small cup. Add blueberries and strawberry pieces. Stir and eat.

Write Letters to the President
What you need: paper, pencils or markers, star stamps, stamp pads, large envelope
What you do: Print the president’s address on the large envelope: The White House, 
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W., Washington, DC 20500

What kids do: Talk about the President. Tell the children that he is the leader of our country. Children can use the star stamp and paper to make stationery. Guide them to write letters to the President. Or print their words as they dictate them to you. Place the letters in the large envelope. (Include a cover letter with information about your church and kids.)
Note: You can find out more about contacting the White House at http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/write-or-call.

What patriotic activities have you done with your kids? 

Events, Fun
June 6, 2012

Plan a “Get Wet” Day

By swiley

wileyBWsmall.jpgSummertime is a great time to plan special days for preschoolers and children. And, since it’s hot, a day of water and fun just seem to mix. As you plan a day of water fun, make sure you have enough adults to supervise. Never leave a container with water unattended (no matter how shallow it may be). Here are some ideas for your "Get Wet" Day.

 

Water Painting – Provide buckets of water and large paintbrushes. Kids can paint sidewalks, walls, fences, and even each other with water.

Bubbles – Pour bubble solution into shallow pans. Bend chenille stems into bubble wands. PVC connectors also are great for blowing bubbles; dip one end in the solution and blow through it. For additional fun (and a little danger), use plastic flyswatters with holes; dip the flyswatter in bubble solution and wave it around to create lots of little bubbles. If you want to use conventional bubble wands, pour the bubble solution in a divided vegetable tray and sit on a table or stool with the smaller wands. (Homemade bubble solution: mix 1/2 cup water, 4 tablespoons dishwashing detergent,and 1 1/2 teaspoons corn syrup; store in airtight container.)

Yacht Races – Provide plastic toy boats to floatm play with, and race in a small wading pool or large underbed container. For older kids, provide a variety of materials and challenge them to create their own boats – ones that actually float.

boats.jpg

Sponge Toss – Set two buckets or dishpans several feet apart. Fill one dishpan with water and sponges. Challenge kids to toss the filled sponges into the other bucket/dishpan.

Sponge Race – For older kids, use the same set up as the Sponge Toss. But instead of tossing, challenge them to run to the other bucket, squeeze out the sponge into the bucket, run back and resoak the sponge. See how long it takes to transfer the water to the other bucket (and how much actually makes it!).

Car Wash – Provide spray bottles and sponges for kids to wash ridiing toys. Kids may want to ride through a car wash on the riding toys. An adult can spray them as they ride through a designated area; or they could riding the toys through a series of oscillating sprinklers. Older kids could wash (brave) teachers’ cars in the parking lot.

Water Play – Of course, you will want to provide a few small wading pools for kids to splash and play. Provide dishpans for those who want to scoop and pour water. For younger preschoolers, designate a quieter area with dishpans and small amounts of water. Babies and parents can sit by the dishpans and splash in the water or dip tiny feet in the water. Add a little baby shampoo for sudsy water.

Sit in the Shade – Under trees or a canopy, spread blankets and quilts for sitting and dry play with beach balls and other toys.

Snacks – Provide lots of cool water to drink. Watermelon, frozen fruit pops, or snowcones would be refreshing snacks.

 

What ideas would you add to help your preschoolers and kids "get wet"?

Sunday School
May 8, 2012

Quick Mothers Day Gift Ideas

By swiley

wileyBWsmall.jpgMothers Day is coming. Well, it’s pretty much here – this Sunday, May 14. It’s always fun to make a little something for moms. But…life can intervene. Here are some ideas that you can use with simple supplies from your resource room.

Spoiler alert – If you have a child in my class, you may want to skip this post. I’m going to reveal some "secrets" from our plans for this Sunday. (I don’t think any of my moms will see this, but better to be safe.) Okay, alert over.

We’ve made heart and butterfly magnets for our moms the past couple of years – and will do so again this Sunday. We use (purchased) pasteboard shapes, self-adhesive jewels and foam stickers, and self-adhesive magnets. 

butterfly.jpg

heart.jpg

Don’t have these things on-hand in your classroom? Let’s modify it! Cut construction paper into heart shapes. Use whatever stickers are available. (My kids love circles and labels from the office supply store. Cheaper and easy to create your own decorations.) Or use glue sticks with paper scraps to decorate the hearts. No magnets? Punch two holes in the top of the heart (on opposites sides) and tie a length of yarn through the two holes. Now you can hang the heart on a doorknob.

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Don’t have time to cut shapes? Just cut construction paper into strips and let the kids loose with stickers. Many moms would love to have a great marker for their Bibles.

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Cut squares or rectangles of clear contact plastic. Peel off the back and kids can stick tissue paper scraps on the paper. Cover with another piece of contact plastic and trim the edges. Punch a hole at the top, thread yarn through the hole, and tie yarn ends together. Moms can hang the suncatcher in a window or from the mirror in the car. Or just use a variety of paper scraps to make a bookmark (or to cast shadows when hung in a window).

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Just have paper and markers or crayons? Ask kids to draw pictures of their moms. Glue the portrait to a larger colored piece of paper to create a frame. Or cut paper strips and glue around the edges of the portrait to create a frame.

portrait.jpg

Kids can trace around their hands and cut out the hand shapes. Glue the hands to a craft stick or thin paper strip to create flowers.

Or make a flower with a coffee filter and craft stick.

Or even a foam cup and craft stick.

 

flowerfront.jpg

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What quick ideas do you have for Mothers Day?

 

Leadership, Sunday School
April 20, 2012

Building Relationships with Parents

By swiley

wileyBWsmall.jpgYour kids ministry isn’t just a ministry to kids; it’s a ministry to parents and to families. Relationships with parents are key to impacting children’s lives. Connecting with kids is easier; you see and talk to them regularly in the classroom or at other church events. Sometimes connecting with parents is more difficult; you may see them only briefly…and at times that may be hectic (drop-off and pick-up). So…how can you connect with parents? Today’s technology can help.

Ask for parents’ email addresses and cell phone numbers.

  • Email parents information about what happened in the classroom. When parents know what their kids have discussed or done, they can talk about it.
  • Text a picture of the child doing something in Sunday School or at an event. Parents like pictures of their kids.
  • If a younger child is unhappy when the parent drops him off, text a photo of him happliy playing. Parents will see that he calmed down – and know that you care about the situation.
  • Send parents a couple of quick things they could do during the week to engage their kids in what they have learned at church. (If you use Bible Teaching for Kids and/or Worship KidStyle, subscribe to the KISS Connection emails and use those ideas. Or tell parents about these emails so they can subscribe themselves.)
  • Call parents and tell them something you observed about their child – a new skill, a thoughtful action, an acquired biblical insight.

Use social media to connect.

  • Set up a private Facebook group or class blog. Talk about what you are learning and encourage parents to ask questions.
  • Suggest blogs and other sources that help parents answer questions and gain knowledge. (ParentLife magazine and ParentLife Online both give offer parenting information from a Christian perspective.)
  • Use Twitter or other social media tools to stay in contact and communicate information. (Parents may like to follow ParentLife on Twitter, too.)

Don’t forget the "old school" ways to build relationships, too.

  • Mail cards and photos to parents. Send newsletters and ministry updates.
  • Arrange a time to meet with parents. These meetings can help you know more about the family and the child so you can more effectively minister.
  • Provide times for parents to meet with one another. These parenting fellowships help build relationships among parents and with church leaders.

What are some ways you build relationships with the parents in your ministry?

Leadership
April 13, 2012

Snack Time, Safe Time

By swiley

wileyBWsmall.jpgMany times as we plan events for kids, one of the first questions that arises is "What will we eat?" Snacks and food can be important parts of what we do in kids ministry and at church. Here are some of my most important lessons regarding food/snacks gleaned from my years in kids ministry.

  • Kids will eat just about any vegetable if ranch dip is available, too. (Exception: celery – almost no one will eat celery, no matter what you do to it.)
  • Kids like to make their own snacks – and may eat something unfamiliar if they helped make it.
  • Dried fruit is rarely eaten..or if eaten is rarely liked.
  • If you can eat fruit salad made by preschoolers, you can eat almost anything else.
  • A child can cut his finger…and draw blood…with a plastic knife.
  • You can never find a bandage when a child cuts his finger with a plastic knife.
  • Snack time can be fun – but must also be safe.

Washing hands and using good hygiene practices is important when food is involved. We should do our part to keep kids safe and healthy. But, more than that, we must remember other issues related to food. Allergies and other medical conditions will impact what food is served (and maybe whether food is served at all).

Last year a boy in my class was diagnosed with diabetes. Immediately the way I looked at the food in my classroom changed. We don’t have a weekly snack but we do use food sometimes in our activities. I had to ask myself what would be appropriate, what options would be provided, and even if I needed to do something else to communicate the Bible truth (instead of eating).

I’ve learned that kids can be allergic to almost anything and can have food-related issues about all types of food. Ask parents to give you a list of foods that their children react to and a list of symptoms their children exhibit. Communicate with parents regularly about food you are serving. Post signs that list what you are tasting (or touching or smelling). Encourage parents to let you know when new medical issues are diagnosed. Discover ways to partner with parents so you can provide fun–and safe–learning experiences for kids.

What tips, tricks, or lesson do you have to share about food in your kids ministry?

Leadership, Sunday School
April 6, 2012

Impact Your Community

By swiley

wileyBWsmall.jpgYour ministry exists to help kids hear the gospel. Every kids ministry wants to impact the lives of kids and families in their community. How can you do that? Impact the lives of the kids in your church and you can impact the lives of their friends.

 

Build Relationships – Know the kids who come to your class or who are involved in your ministry.

  • Know each kid’s name…and how to spell it. Some names are spelled in unusual ways. Spelling a kid’s name correctly shows you’ve taken the effort to know him.
  • Listen when a child tells you something. And remember what he says. Remember what he likes to do. Know that he has siblings. (And try to remember their names.) These details are important. Jot them down in a notebook if you need help remembering. Taking an effort to listen and know about a child’s life shows care.
  • Know about their world. Watch some of their TV shows. Read some of their books and magazines. Listen to some of their music. Be aware of what’s in their world. When they mention a favorite show or movie, ask what they liked about it. Show an interest in their interests.

 

Focus on Spiritual Development – Help create a ministry that’s more than just somewhere to have fun.

  • Teach the Bible. Guide kids to learn who God is and how He is working. Don’t just teach the facts; help them see God’s character. From the early years, kids can begin to learn about God’s love for them. As they grow, they can understand more about God’s plan of redemption through Jesus. Look for opportunities to help them truly know the gospel message.
  • Pray for them. Pray for each child by name. Pray for their families and their friends. Pray for their understanding of God and Jesus.

 

When your ministry is fueled by relationships and powered by the Word, kids will want to be a part of it. And they will want to tell their friends and invite them to be a part, too.

 

How are you impacting the lives of kids in your ministry? How are you impacting your community?

Fun
March 29, 2012

Spring Art Projects

By swiley

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Here are some painting ideas you can do outside in the warmer Spring weather…and even use to spruce up the outdoors!

 

Paint Rocks – Gather some rocks, tempera paint, and brushes. Any rocks will work, but larger, smoother rocks provide an easier surface to paint. Wash the rocks to remove any dirt. Allow kids to paint as they choose. They may want to create abstract designs or create a rock to look like lady bugs, turtles, or other favorite animals. After paint dries, you could spray them with a clear sealer to preserve the paint design longer. Arrange the painted rocks in flowerbeds or other areas outdoors.

 

Make Butterflies – Use liquid watercolors, eye droppers, and coffee filters. Kids can drop color onto the coffee filters and watch the colors mix. (Place the coffee filter on a tray to contain the extra liquid watercolor paint.) After the paint dries, pinch the middle together. Wrap a chenille stem around the middle and fold the ends to look like antennae. Use fishing line or yarn to hang the butterflies from trees or near the entrance to the building. 

 

Decorate a Fence – Pour liquid watercolor in spray bottles. Kids can spray the paint onto the fence and watch the colors mix. And the rain will wash off the watercolor. Or you can spray paint the sidewalk or parking lot. Or spray paint onto large canvases and display those inside or outside when done.

 

You can use these ideas for a Spring Break fun day, a family Easter play day, or just a fun Saturday Spring Fling. These links are other ideas you could do for a springtime party.

Windy Play

Springtime Fun

 

 

Fun, Leadership
March 20, 2012

Thank Your Teachers This Spring

By swiley

wileyBWsmall.jpgWe can never thank our teachers and leaders enough. The time and work they give has eternal significance; each week they are impacting the lives of kids and parents. You can show gratitiude and appreciation to your teachers in the weeks ahead…and put a little spring spin on it.

 

Give a gift. At this time of year, you can find packets of seeds everywhere. Purchase packets of wildflower seeds (or whatever kind of seeds you want to give). Attach a small note that reads Thank you for sowing the seed of God’s Word in the lives of kids.

You could also give them small decorated flowerpots, bedding plants, or other spring-related items. A small gift can express appreciation in a big way.

 

Send a note. Give kids in your ministry blank notecards to decorate. Kids could stamp, paint, or draw springtime scenes (or use pastel springtime colors in their designs). You could plan a time for kids to do this at church or send the notecards home for kids to decorate and bring back to you. Then use the kid-decorated cards to write appreciation notes to teachers. Mail the notes as a fun surprise.

Handwritten thank-yous can make a big impact. And the teachers will love the kid art, too.

 

Have a party. Plan a simple fun gathering for teachers. Ask teachers to bring a simple, springtime food to share. Or ask parents or other ministry leaders to prepare some simple foods. Plan some fun springtime activities–make kites, blow bubbles, dig in the dirt. (See Windy Play for ideas.) Teachers like to have fun just like kids do.

Don’t plan a formal program. Just make it fun. Tell teachers how much you value what they do. Getting together can be a fun way to say thanks.

 

What are some ways you’ve expressed appreciation to teachers? How have you celebrated springtime with your teachers?

Fun
March 12, 2012

Windy Play

By swiley

wileyBWsmall.jpgSpringtime always brings windy days and warmer days. You may want to plan a Spring Break fun day, a family Easter play day, or just a fun Saturday Spring Fling. Here are some kites and other things you (or kids) could make for windy day play.

Cardstock Kite – Cut diamond shapes from cardstock or heavy paper. Draw, paint, or otherwise decorate. Place a 1-inch circle sticker at each corner of the diamond; you may want to place a sticker on each side at each corner. Punch a hole through the stickers at each corner. (The stickers help reinforce the hole; you can make the kites without the stickers.) Tie a length of string through each hole and gather the four strings together, tying the other ends together in the center of the diamond. Add a long string to the four tied strings to create a kite. Hold the string and run to make kite fly (or catch the wind just right).

Paper Plate Kite – Punch a hole in one side of a paper plate. (You may want to reinforce the hole with a sticker like above.) Decorate with paint or markers. Staple a few ribbons or crepe paper streamers to the plate opposite the hole. Tie a string through the hole; add a short stick or craft stick to the other end of the string. Take out into the wind to see it fly. (You could also punch several holes and tie yarn like the cardstock kite above.)

Plastic Bag Kite – Tie the handles of a plastic grocery bag together with a long piece of yarn or string. Staple a few ribbon or paper streamers to the bottom of the bag. Hold the string and run with the kite.

Windsock – Cut heavy paper into 6-by-18-inch pieces. Decorate the paper with markers, stickers, or paint. Staple ribbons or paper streamers to one long side. Meet the short sides and staple into a cylinder. Punch holes in the side opposite the streamers and tie lengths of string through the holes. Tie strings together and hang the windsock outside. (Or you could tie a longer string to the other strings and run with the windsock.)

Other things to do for windy play–

  • Staple or tape ribbons to dowel sticks to make streamers to hold in the wind.
  • Blow bubbles and watch them move in the wind.
  • Use flags, pinwheels, or weather vanes.
  • Hang windchimes or mobiles. Listen to the sounds and watch them move.

Kids of all ages can enjoy these windy activities. Think of ways to make them easier (for preschoolers) or more creative (for preteens). Enjoy the windy spring days ahead!

 

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