Leftover Madness

I know it's a bit late to be posting any kind of Thanksgiving ideas, but I wanted to share our church's plans for this year. We are going to be having our church Thanksgiving Dinner the Sunday after Thanksgiving. We are calling it "Leftover Madness." Since my family is traveling out of town on Thanksgiving I already have my pile of decorations ready to take to the church for table decorating. This is also a perfect time to start gathering your decorating supplies for next year. Our local Hobby Lobby had all of their fall decorations 90% this week. I got a ceramic Pilgrim Lady (originally 17.99) for $1.98 (tax included). I saw lots of people with carts full of fall flowers. You can find more Thanksgiving ideas here at my Celebration of Thanks post.

Thanksgiving Bible Lessons Links for Kids & Youth

I have been searching around the web  for ideas for a special Thanksgiving Event for church for my little group of kids. Here are some of my favorite links for object lessons or devotions. I thought while I was digging I would pass my them along to you! I also have a few games that I will post later when I get them better organized. Don't forget to look at the Thanksgiving Blessing Mix  idea I have on my blog.

http://ministry-to-children.com/thanksgiving-ideas/

http://www.hem-of-his-garment-bible-study.org/support-files/kids-thanksgiving-bible-study.pdf

http://www.childrensministry.org/articles/andbethankful.htm

http://www.sundayschoolnetwork.com/lessons-fall-talks.html

http://www.childrensministry.com/articles/5-kernel

http://www.childrensministry.com/articles/food-harvest

A Pumpkin Praise Party!

I love Pumpkins! And what better time of year to add a bit of Pumpkin Fun to your Children's Program. Many of these activities can be used for multiple ages and activities.

First of all, let me give just a quick "shout out" to Pinterest. I am a bit addicted. It is a perfect spot for an idea girl like myself. I even have a "Pumpkin Board." 

For those of you who are new to computer and blog navigation, just click on the blue links. They will take you to some pretty cool ideas.

The Message

First, let's start with the basics. You always need to include a Gospel message in any activity you provide. I have a copy of The Pumpkin Patch Parable.

Here is the book's description. 

This charming story for children illustrates how a loving farmer can turn a simple pumpkin into a simply glorious sight. Liz Curtis Higgs weaves a beautiful parable as the farmer picks out a special pumpkin from his garden, and scoops out all the messy "goo" to make room for his light to shine from inside. In the same way, God's transforming love can fill each of our hearts with joy and light. Liz Cutis Higgs originally created this parable as a way to share the Good News with her own precious children each harvest season. After 10 years, she has touched children everywhere! Recommended for ages 3 to 7.

This poem is a great object lesson to use while carving a pumpkin. 

"Pumpkin Prayer"

{cut off top of pumpkin}
Lord, open my mind so I can learn new things about you.

{remove innards}
Remove the things in my life that don’t please you.
Forgive the wrong things I do and help me to forgive others.

{cut open eyes}
Open my eyes to see the beauty you’ve made in the world around me.

{cut out nose}
I’m sorry for the times I’ve turned my nose at the good food you provide.

{cut out mouth}
Let everything I say please You.

{light the candle}
Lord, help me show your light to others through the things I do. Amen

By: Liz Curtis Higgs

 

Annie's Homepage has this pumpkin lesson here.

Carve a pumpkin or two using a Christian Theme. This site has all sorts of free resources.

Decorations

Think Orange! Use orange table cloths, balloons, streamers, etc. Put pumpkins everywhere.  

Here are some cute DIY ideas for Fall decorating. You could even use candy pumpkins instead of the candy corn in the large votives shown. 

Use white and orange twinkle lights to add extra fun to your space.

I love a mason jar. Here is an idea for a Canning Jar Pumpkin Light. 

Crafty Fun

Make this stand up pumpkin from Sundayschoolkids.com.

Here is a another pumpkin carving prayer with a printout from dltk-bible.com.

This little pumpkin book from daniellesplace.com is really cute. 

Set up a Pumpkin Decorating Center. Put small pumpkins and markers in a center and allow kids to decorate their own mini pumpkins.

The craftyclassroom.com has this cute garden pumpkin to make.

I found 3 great pumpkin crafts at christianpreschoolprintables.com Here is a paperbag pumpkin. Or use this pumpkin parable craft to go along with your lesson. This Pumpkin Prayer minibook is perfect to make and take. 

Famiyfun.com has this pumpkin hat to make. 

Games, Centers & More

I found this Pop Goes The Pumpkin Game at tipjunkie.com. I'm going to be using this one for sure this year. 

Ring the Pumpkin

Line up three large pumpkins to form a ring toss. Make sure they have stems! Use embroidery hoops. Mark a throwing line on the floor and take turns trying to ring a pumpkin stem. Smaller children can attempt to ring an entire large pumpkin with a hula hoop.

Pumpkin Race

You need two large pumpkins and two sticks. The racers, line up on the starting line with the pumpkins turned on their sides. The racers use the stick to roll the pumpkins to the finish line. Be sure to leave plenty of room. The pumpkins will roll in every direction! For added variety have them use hands instead of sticks or roll small pumpkins, instead.

Pumpkin Bowling

Select several small pumpkins about four to six inches in diameter. You need extras in case a few split or break. Place plastic (children's set) of bowling pins several feet away. You could also use small plastic decorator pumpkins.

Pumpkin Hot Potato

Play hot potato with a pumpkin instead of a potato!

Guess the Pumpkins

Fill a jar with those cute little candy pumpkins (usually found near the candy corn). Have the kids guess how many pumpkins are in the jar. Be sure to count the pumpkins ahead of time :<)

Pumpkin Over and Under

Divide the kids into two teams. Give the front child in the line a small pumpkin. The first child passes the pumpkin over his head to the child behind him. The second child passes it between his legs to the next child. The pumpkin continues to be passed over-under to the last child in line, who runs to the front of the line with the pumpkin. You can continue until every child has run to the front of the line with the pumpkin and the first child is back in front again.

Here is a tutorial on how to make your own Pumpkin Bean Bag Toss. 

Print out these Pumpkin Bingo Cards from learningtreasures.com. Bingo is always fun!

Make up a recipe or two for Pumpkin Pie playdough. Add pumpkin shaped cookie cutters to the other playdough toys. I have used this recipe for years, whether it be for teaching or at home.

Pumpkin Pie Playdough

This smells great, so remind small children that it is not for eating.

5 1/2 cups flour
2 cups salt
8 teaspoons cream of tartar
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 (1 1/12 ounce) container pumpkin pie spice
Orange food coloring (2 parts yellow, 1 part red)
4 cups water

Mix all of the ingredients together. Cook and stir over medium heat until all lumps disappear. Knead the dough on a floured surface until it is smooth. Store in an airtight container.

Have a pumpkin decorating contest. Before the event, advertise the contest and send home tips, rules and prize information. Allow one pumpkin per family.

Pumpkin Eats

Pumpkin Pizza
Here is a recipe from Pillsbury.com for little Pumpkin Pizzas. You could easily make this into a large pizza for a crowd.

Make a Pumpkin Shaped Veggie tray. You will just go crazy over these veggie tray designs from livinglocturto.com.

Individual Pumpkins
(10 servings)
3 cups miniature marshmallows
¼ cup margaring
red and yellow food coloring
Apple Cinnamon Cheerios
Vegetable oil cooking spray (Pam)
10 green gumdrops

Warm the margarine and the marshmallows in a large pan over low heat until the marshmallows melt. Use the food coloring to tint the mixture orange. Gradually fold in the Apple Cinnamon Cheerios. Lightly coat each child’s fingers with  the cooking spray. When the mixture has cooled sufficiently, give each child ½ cup of the mixture to form into a pumpkin shape. Press the green gumdrop into the top for a stem. Set on waxed paper until firm.

Here is a recipe from teachingheart.com for Individual Pumpkin Pies to make right at the event. 

Make this Pumpkin Dip.

Rice Krispy Treats are for every occasion! Make these cute Krispy pumpkins. 

The Treat Bag

Send home a little treat bag. You can give this in lieu of handing out candy for prizes or just because. You can purchase treat bags or make your own. I usually design my own treat bag toppers. Here is a tutorial for one you can make yourself. It uses photoshop, but I don't have photoshop. I use my print shop program or even Microsoft word. One of these days I'll post my own tutorial. :<) You can always just your scrapbooking supplies to make your toppers.

Or these bags would make pretty great treat bags. 

This is an adorable fall treat holder idea. 

A easy idea is to stamp or stencil a pumpkin on a plain little lunch sack and then tie with raffia. 

You can include: 

• The Pumpkin Prayer
• candy
• Pencils decorated with pumpkins
• Make pencil toppers to send home from this tutorial from abcteach.com. 
• small toys from the dollar tree 

•   When all else fails orientaltrading.com has some great Christian pumpkin items to purchase. I just typed Christian Pumpkin in the search box. It brought up lots of products.

Have a great event!

Here We Come A-Wassailing

I suppose this is a day late and a dollar short for those of you who have already had your church Christmas programs. Our church had it's Christmas Cantata this past weekend. Besides the beautiful music and message, there was such a beautiful atmosphere. And it was made even more sweeter by the youth group serving Wassail and Hot Chocolate in the foyer before the service began. There wasn't a charge...it wasn't a fundraiser. Just bright and eager teens serving church members and visitors alike.  It was a special touch for a special morning. 

Just a bit of advice. Our group had cups with lids, which I found to be very practical. I believe they served Hot Chocolate made with mix and Hot Apple Cider instead of Wassail. Wassail is a bit more involved, but has wonderful results.

Here is a recipe for Wassail.  It is probably more practical with a larger congregation or group to serve Hot Cider. But it sure is extra special!  This would be great to serve at a Christmas Caroling party or small group.

I've Been Gone For Far Too Long!

Imagine my surprise one day when I came across my own blog in a Google search for an activity for Children's Church. I will (with great shame) admit that this particular blog has been sadly neglected. I really don't have a good excuse (maybe a few, but nothing life changing). I have a personal blog "There Will Be A $5.00 Charge For Whining" (which you can find the link to on the sidebar) that I am fairly faithful with and this little blog has sat neglected. So you can also imagine how surprised I was to see that I had several followers and many of you had commented.  I know how much these kinds of ideas mean to the church planner (of any occasion) and promise to do better to update as I can. I have changed the look a bit and have tried to organize some of posts better. I know I need to go through and test some of the links I have given you...just to be sure they work. Thanks for reading!

Recipe for My Life History

Once again I have taken an idea from someone else and I'm not sure to attribute it to. This is a wonderful idea for a women's meeting or a family get-together.

"RECIPE FOR MY LIFE HISTORY"
Combine a generous slice of your life history, a dash of nostalgia, several cups of facts and feelings and 104 deliciously interesting questions. Draw one slip of paper. Take a few minutes to enjoy the memories. Paste or write the question at the top of a blank page. Fill in your answer. Don't worry about your handwriting or spelling - just tell your story. This product was prepared to preserve your life as a message. Enjoy the scrumptious, home-made memories that celebrate something very important - YOU!"
Print the following questions on strips of paper and place in the jar:
Tell something about each of your children - the personalities, talents, and traits that make them different and special.
Describe a favorite vacation of your married years.
Tell about home cures or old wives tales: hiccups, toothaches, earaches, or arthritis.
Where were you and what were you doing the day the wall came down in Germany (or the coup occurred in USSR or when World War II started or ended)?
Describe your wedding dress, bridesmaid dresses, etc. (suit etc, if male.)
Write a description of your husband or wife.
Tell about your retirement - when, where, what will you do with your time?
Describe your mother's wedding dress - what do you know about her wedding?
Where did you live as a child - town, country, suburb, etc?
What is your greatest joy? Your greatest sorrow?
Do you have a favorite author? Who? Why? Tell about your favorite books as a child and as an adult.
What do you feel has been the most significant world events that has taken place in your lifetime and why?
Describe the most serious illness or accident that you have had.
Describe your yard as a child. Did you help with the yardwork?
What are your memories --- Draw a diagram if you can.
Tell about Family Reunions.
Tell about your teen-age social life - your friends, dances, dating, outings, church functions etc.
What would you like to be remembered for?
Describe your last home as a young couple.
How did your father spend his time supporting his family?
Tell about exciting experiences as a young woman.
Tell about your life as the children left home - new interests, etc. What did you do with the extra time -- new employment, moves, hobbies, etc.
Tell about handed-down talents, foods, clothespin dolls, willow whistles, pottery, quilting, whittling, meat drying etc.
What lessons did you take as a child? Did you carry any over into adulthood?
What were your favorite places to go with your family when you were young?
Tell about any ancestors that you know about - name dates, etc. for historical purposes and any stories about them.
Tell about anniversaries, celebrations, trips, gifts.
What were your fears, expectations, anticipations about getting married?
Tell about a special date you had with a boy/girl friend or your fiancée.
What is your mother's best trait? Worst? The traits you share?
What is your father's best trait? Worst? The traits you share?
Give one word on how to live successfully.
How do you feel about winning? Losing?
Tell a courtship story about your parents - how they met etc... Tell the same about your courtship.
Describe a favorite childhood friend and something you did with her or him.
Tell about your grandchildren - how many- how did you feel about being a grandparent?
Have you met or worked with famous people? Who? Where?
How did you become engaged?
What is the most wonderful thing that ever happened to you? The worst?
What is your child-rearing philosophy?
Describe your Sundays as a mother/father or as a child.
What can frighten you the most and why?
Do you wish you had more sisters or brothers? Why?
Tell about your favorite aunt.
What is the most exciting place that you have ever been to and why?
What was your worst, really embarrassing moment?
What games did you play as a child - inside and outside?
Where did your grandparents live? What was their home like? Did it have a certain smell or look?
Tell about your favorite uncle.
Did you have a close relationship with your grandparents? Tell about it.
Did you have a bicycle, and what was it like?
Tell how, when, where you learned to drive and any memorable experiences.
Tell about each of your children's names, birthdate, where, doctors, circumstances surrounding the birth - raising them in the home - problems, joys, etc.
How did you like being the oldest, youngest or middle child?
What were the advantages or disadvantages?
Tell about a frustrating experience that you have had with a car.
What is your advice to those younger than you?
Were you ever in a drama, speech, sports, pep or glee club? Tell about it. Did you and your father share any interests together - what and why?
What is your favorite scripture and why?
Describe a childhood Christmas.
Describe a typical day in elementary school.
What did you do when you were a child that got you in the most trouble, and how did your parents handle it?
Tell about your first crush.
Did you go camping? Tell about your experiences.
How did you feel about school?
Do you remember any of your four grandparents? Any greats? What were their names?
Tell about your mother: her personality, characteristics, stature, coloring, talents, temperament, family stories about her, her role in your home, etc.
What do you fantasize about doing or being?
What is your personal secret of happiness?
Describe a perfect spring day and activities on that day?
What is the most important lesson, message, or advice that you have learned that you might pass on to others?
Thinking back, was there a teacher who had a great influence on you?
Tell about your own family traditions: Christmas, birthdays, graduation, 4th of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, Mothers or Fathers Day, weddings, funerals, hunting etc.
Describe a childhood birthday.
How did you become engaged?
What personality trait do you admire and why?
Did you have a favorite TV, radio, program as a child? Tell about it.
Did you go to college or have vocational training? Where or when?
Did you have a childhood hideout? Tell about it.
Tell about a favorite trip or vacation.
What is your secret for good health?
Describe a childhood Christmas.
Did it snow much when you were a child - tell something about it, what did you do?
Describe getting a Christmas tree as a child, when did you put it up and decorate it?
Tell about your civic or political activities.
Write about some places you went with your father.
Write about some places that you went with your mother.
What do you think about movies - what is your favorite movie and why?
If you could be an animal, which one would you choose and why?
Describe a typical day during your Junior High years..
What kind of extra-curricular activities did you participate in at school?
Tell about the houses you lived in childhood - addresses, phone numbers, etc...
What do you think brings good or bad luck?
Tell about all the places you have worked.
Describe your wedding day.
What are your food preferences and how did they come about?
How did your mother spend her time?
Were you responsible for household chores? What were they? Which did you enjoy most/ least?
What are your most deeply held values?

VBS with a Twist

VBS is a great outreach tool, but boy can it wear you and your church folks out! A few years ago, I did some research on how to make VBS work at our little church. I apologize to whoever posted this in the first place. It has been a long time and I have had this in my "files." Another alternative to the ideas below is to do a month long Wednesday Night VBS that involves the whole church. We actually have done this and enjoyed it.

Weekend VBS
The weekend VBS schedule is somewhat like the one-day schedule, but with a little more breathing room. This schedule starts on Friday night and continues through Saturday, offering a slower pace. Again, the schedule is demanding for preschoolers and younger children so workers in those age groups need to plan their schedules to allow for the physical needs of their learners.
Friday5:30-6:00 pm - Light dinner6:00-6:30 - Worship Rally6:30-8:30 - Day 1
Saturday 8:00-8:30 am - Worship Rally8:30-10:30 - Day 210:30-11:00 - Worship Rally11:00-1:00 pm - Day 31:00-1:30 - Lunch1:30-2:00 - Worship Rally2:00-4:00 - Day 44:00-6:00 - Day 56:00 - Dinner/Closing Worship Rally/Family Night

One-Day VBS
Hillcrest Baptist Church in Lufkin, Texas is one of several churches that have reported having a one-day VBS. Steve Chandler, VBS director, reports that the church has used the schedule for three years. The change to the one-day VBS schedule was based on the need for volunteer workers and dealing with the busy schedules of today's children. Saturday is the day of choice for most one-day VBSs, though a Sunday could also work. A typical one-day VBS might follow this schedule:
8:00 am - Continental breakfast8:30 - Worship Rally (the only Worship Rally of the day)9:00-10:30 - Day 110:30-12:00 - Day 212:00-1:00 pm - Lunch1:00-3:30 - Day 33:30-5:00 - Day 45:00-6:00 - Dinner6:00-7:30 - Day 57:30 - Family Night Celebration
Because the schedule for each "day" allows for only an hour and a half, kids will not be able to rotate through all sites each "day." Plan to have Opening and Closing Bible study for children in each "day" and then offer a different rotation option (crafts, music, missions, recreation) in each "day." For instance, music with Day 1, crafts with Day 2, recreation with Day 3, missions with Day 4, crafts (or another rotation site) with Day 5. While the day-long event could be fun and exciting, Steve Chandler says the schedule is difficult for preschoolers and some younger children.