Friends
Children's Activity
Object:
SHARING THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL THEME
AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Materials:
Ball (tennis ball or larger, age-appropriate)
Directions:
1. Have children stand in a circle. This game is intended as a "get-to-know-you" game, but for smaller children especially it will still be effective. For older, more coordinated children, have them choose a "stranger name" to create more of a challenge.
2. Children should take turns tossing the ball to each other. When they toss the ball, they should say their name and the name of the person they are tossing to. For example, if Susan has the ball and she wants to pass it to Tyler, she would toss it to Tyler and say "Susan to Tyler." When Tyler catches the ball, he says, "Tyler to Stephen" and tosses it to Stephen. Encourage children (especially older children) to keep a steady rhythm. The rhythm should get faster (and naming names more challenging) as the game goes on. Encourage them not to pass the ball back to the person who just passed it to them.
3. For a competitive game, each person who says the wrong name or misses the rhythm is "out."
4. Talk about how making friends is more than just knowing each others' names -- but knowing names is a good start!
AT SUNDAY SCHOOL AND AT HOME
Materials:
Ball (tennis ball or larger, age-appropriate)
Directions:
1. Have children stand in a circle. This game is intended as a "get-to-know-you" game, but for smaller children especially it will still be effective. For older, more coordinated children, have them choose a "stranger name" to create more of a challenge.
2. Children should take turns tossing the ball to each other. When they toss the ball, they should say their name and the name of the person they are tossing to. For example, if Susan has the ball and she wants to pass it to Tyler, she would toss it to Tyler and say "Susan to Tyler." When Tyler catches the ball, he says, "Tyler to Stephen" and tosses it to Stephen. Encourage children (especially older children) to keep a steady rhythm. The rhythm should get faster (and naming names more challenging) as the game goes on. Encourage them not to pass the ball back to the person who just passed it to them.
3. For a competitive game, each person who says the wrong name or misses the rhythm is "out."
4. Talk about how making friends is more than just knowing each others' names -- but knowing names is a good start!
