Welcome to the resource page for Kids!
This is where we will put resources each week for kids to learn and explore their faith, sometimes on their own, sometimes with an adult's help.
Here's how it works:
Each week, we'll post a few new resources in this space. Try one idea over the course of the week and see how it goes.
Sometime during the week, if you get a chance, head over to our feedback blog, and let us know how it's going.
That's it!
Right now, we're getting ready for Lent, which starts with Ash Wednesday on February 18. Don't forget to come to St. Paul's on that day, for service at 7am, noon, and 6:30pm.
This is where we will put resources each week for kids to learn and explore their faith, sometimes on their own, sometimes with an adult's help.
Here's how it works:
Each week, we'll post a few new resources in this space. Try one idea over the course of the week and see how it goes.
Sometime during the week, if you get a chance, head over to our feedback blog, and let us know how it's going.
That's it!
Right now, we're getting ready for Lent, which starts with Ash Wednesday on February 18. Don't forget to come to St. Paul's on that day, for service at 7am, noon, and 6:30pm.
New this week!
- Make these 'Lent in a Bag' sets, so that during Lent, you can discuss each piece with your family. How does Lent appear through a rock, sand, a candle, etc?
- A whole list of Lenten ideas is here from a UMC pastor in North Carolina. Make a Lenten wreath! Or a tree, listing acts of Lenten kindness!
- Want a way to give back, as well as talk about MLK Day and our faith? Use this activity and gather socks and hygiene products with your family for our pantry.
- This is another 'active praying' activity, using water and mirrors to pray in a new way. It expresses how our prayers 'reflect' out into the world around us.
- We know what Linus thinks Christmas is all about, but what do you think? Over the next few days, take a few minutes to watch A Charlie Brown's Christmas together, then discuss: if someone asked you what Christmas was all about, what would you say? Why is Christmas important to you?
- Want more great Advent/Christmas ideas? This video is a good recap of the meaning of Advent, plus has several good ideas for the whole family.
- As discussed at the in-person SPOT gathering, why not make a Reverse Advent Calendar? Wrap a shoebox in giftwrap, and cut a hole in the top. Every day during Advent, when you notice something that gives you hope, write it down on a slip of paper and put it in the box, encouraging your family members to do the same. Do likewise for any act of kindness you do for each other or someone else. At Christmas, open the box, and share all the wonderful things you've given and seen in the world.
- Ever thought about turning your Christmas tree into an Advent tree? Here's how you might do it:
- Wait as long as you can to put up a tree. December 15 might be a reasonable goal. This date might not seem very radical, but in my neighborhood, most trees are lit and decorated on Thanksgiving weekend. If your family protests the later date, try some other alternative tree decorations:
*Put the tree up early, but leave it bare. The undecorated tree is a visual clue of something unfinished, of something yet to come.
*Cover the tree with purple, blue, or white lights.
*Hang Advent words on the tree—words from Isaiah, Matthew, Luke—“prepare, wilderness, wait, darkness, repent, angel, conceive.…” Use strips of paper with clothespins or luggage tags with string or wire to attach them to the tree.
*Treat the tree as a giant Advent calendar. Each family member can add an ornament or two each day from November 30 until Christmas.
The later the tree is decorated, the less likely it is to end up on the curb on December 26. - Random Acts of Kindness
This website has a lot of great ideas for random acts of kindness – keep in mind that this is written for adults, so not all of these are applicable to your kids, but a lot of great ideas still! Use it to help kids make a list…along with adding their own suggestions!
You could make it an Advent-long friendly competition – challenge your family together to reach 50 total, with each person completing 1 or 2 random acts of kindness every day during Advent, then you will have an ice cream party! Keep the tally going throughout Advent; talk about what they've done during the day during dinner, or add a place they can post all of their random acts of kindness in the house (maybe the fridge). - Gratitude is not the easiest concept to explain to young children, but this activity and song make it easier. Try it as you are driving around town, or as you're cooking dinner. (I hereby apologize for getting the song stuck in your head.)
- Here's another activity from the folks at Building Faith:
Put popcorn in the microwave and have children shout out something for which each child is grateful when you hear the sound of the kernels popping. Keep going until the popping stops. Presto--Popcorn Thanks! - Stewardship (that big, scary concept we talk about in churches around this time of year) isn't just for adults--it just means taking care of the world we live in. Here are 10 ways kids can practice stewardship too--things like recycling, sharing clothes, and riding your bike. What are some other ways you can think of to take care of this world?
- When you realize you have been given a lot, it's easier to give to others. This activity helps you name your blessings, and how you can share them with others.
- Halloween is coming up, but it can be a spooky time, and not in a good way. Remember that the light of God is always with you through the darkness with this Halloween-themed activity.
- Want to try something different this Halloween? Try a Giving October (or November, since we're almost through October), where Halloween becomes more about giving away, than receiving candy
- If you didn't get a chance to bless your pet on St. Francis Day, there's this pet blessing service from the Episcopal Diocese of Washington to help you do it as a family. Pets are a gift from God, and there's no better time to say 'Thank you.'
- At the October Gathering, we all heard the tale of the Lorax, and we planted our own mini Truffala plants. This activity explores the spiritual themes in the story, so find a copy of the book or watch the movie on Netflix, then discuss the questions with your family!
- Here's an awesome animated tale about Honi, the Circle-Maker from Jewish folklore, that talks about how we should care for the earth, (and how we should pray as well.) Don't be surprised
- Here's another activity to do with Psalm 23, where you can explore all the gifts God has given to you, and how you can use them to help the world.
- Adults use prayer beads all the time, but have you ever tried it for children? Here's a fun and simple way to do it.
- Can't get outside to walk a labyrinth, and don't have a paper one nearby? Here's your answer: an online labyrith!
- If you find that First-Aid kit useful in your home, try combining it with prayer, and see what happens.
- Want to sing the Lord's Prayer? Here's a lovely animated music video to sing along wit
- Having a bad day? Here's a prayer activity that can help you learn to cope.
- If you liked using the Labyrinths at the Gathering last month, here's another twist on how they work. Print them out, and pray them together with your kids.
- Here is a great song to listen to about how you can pray anywhere.
- Pray with insects! Do your kids like bugs? Try this fun family activity and incorporate prayer into your kids' fascination with creepy-crawlies.