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Category: Ministry Programming

Covers topics such as discipleship, ministry basics, nursery ministry, preschool ministry, elementary ministry, preteen ministry, special needs/trauma-informed ministry, organization, curriculum

4 Fun Valentine’s Day Games Kids Will Love!

Kathie Phillips

Newsflash: kids LOVE to play games!  The beauty of children’s games is that they don’t have to be fancy or complicated, just fun!

I’ve scoured Pinterest and found a few Valentine’s Day games that would be great to use in your ministry before service, between services or as an extra-time activity.  Of course, these games would also work for academic classrooms, homeschooling environments or Valentine’s parties.

Here are a few of my favorites:

From childrens-ministry-deals.com

Minute to Win It games are always a hit! The games are usually high energy (because you only have 60 seconds) and easy to prepare, as the supplies are usually ones you already have on hand.  What I love about these is that you can set up several different games in a large, open space and have the kids rotate through them.  And the good news is that these 10 games are absolutely FREE to download!  You can also find other minute to win it ideas here.

Valentine Games - Minute to Win It

From teachmama.com

This game is awesome for several reasons.  (1) It is very easy to set up.  You can use foam hearts (as mentioned in the post) or you can cut large hearts from cardstock or construction paper and laminate them for durability.  (2) You can adapt it for toddlers, preschoolers, or elementary-age children.

The hearts can include active movements (as mentioned in the post), reflective actions (i.e. “Name someone you could say, ‘God loves you and so do I?'”), Bible story/verse review questions, or icebreaker questions.  There are many options.

Valentine Game - Musical Hearts

From Seven Thirty Three

Who doesn’t love the classic game of Tic Tac Toe?  Playing it with x’s and o’s is good but playing with chocolate candies is even better!  If food allergies are a concern, you could also play with red and pink Starbursts© or Skittles©.

Valentine Game - Tic Tac Toe

From childrens-ministry-deals.com

Another classic game – BINGO!  Again, you can download the free game boards here or be creative and make your own and adapt them for preschoolers & non-readers or include Bible verse words, names of people God loves…the possibilities are endless.

Valentine Game - Bingo

 

For more fun ideas, be sure to check out my Valentine’s Pinterest Board!

What fun games do you have planned for Valentine’s Day?  Let me know by leaving a comment below or on our Facebook page!

My 6 Favorite Pinterest-Inspired Valentine’s Crafts for Kids

Kathie Phillips

Valentine’s Day crafts are some of the cutest crafts that children will ever make!  Here are 6 of my favorite Pinterest-inspired Valentine’s Day crafts for kids of all ages:

For Babies & Toddlers

From The Educators’ Spin On It

Have fun with your babies & toddlers this Valentine’s Day!  This site has some great, hands-on ideas using items that you likely already have on hand.  My favorites are:

  • Heart Cookie Cutters
  • Felt Hearts
  • Heart Scribbles Art
  • Heart Prints

Valentine Crafts - Baby & Toddler

From Second Grade Sparkle

I absolutely adore this heart mosaic craft.  I hope to have our younger elementary children do this activity.  You can adapt it for preschoolers by tracing a heart shape from contact paper and have preschoolers add pieces of tissue paper to make a stain-glass mosaic.

Valentine Crafts - Heart Mosaic

 

From Bible Wise

Preschoolers will love this simple heart mobile.  And it’s easy prep for you – you’ll need scissors, crayons, hole punch and yarn.

Valentine Crafts - Hanging Mobile

 

From Preschool Crafts for Kids

Another craft your preschoolers and 1st graders will love.  And the supply list is quite short.

Valentine Crafts - Heart Necklace
Heart Necklace

 

From Kinderart.com

Another heart mosaic craft but this is geared more toward elementary children and preteens because it provides a challenge for them.  I think even boys might like the challenge.

Heart Mosaic
Heart Mosaic

 

From Smart Savvy Living

Who doesn’t love the classic coupon book?  What a great way for kids to show their loved ones how much they care.

Valentine Crafts - Coupon Book

You can also find inexpensive, prepackaged craft options from Oriental Trading and Guildcraft.

For more fun ideas, be sure to check out my Valentine’s Pinterest Board!

What Valentine’s Day Crafts do you have planned for this year?

6 Deliciously Easy Valentine’s Day Snack Ideas for Kids

Kathie Phillips

As a girl, I enjoyed Valentine’s Day in our house.  My mom always made it special with decorations, candy, cards and a red & white dinner (i.e. spaghetti, lasagna, etc.).  I have tried to make new traditions with my family for Valentine’s Day and one thing we all enjoy are sweet treats.

If you’re looking for sweet treats for your own children or children at your church, check out six (6) of my favorites, courtesy of Pinterest.

From Pillsbury.com

Kids can stick wooden sticks into fresh-from-the-oven sugar cookies and then decorate the cookies with icing and all kinds of fun sprinkles and candies.  Great for preschoolers & school-age children.

Valentine Cookie Pops
Valentine Cookie Pops

 

From Hatter and Hare Events

This snack features fruit, but you can use that heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut many foods – apples, pineapple, mango, kiwi, bananas, strawberries, cheese, bread, brownies, cookies. Great for toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.

Heart-Shaped Fruit
Heart-Shaped Fruit

 

From Pampered Chef

Great for preschoolers and school-age children

Heart-shaped Rice Krispy Pops
Heart-shaped Rice Krispy Pops

 

From Baby Steps 365

Great for toddlers & preschoolers

Toddler Snack Mix
Toddler Snack Mix

 

Some other personal favorites of mine are:

  • Jello Jigglers (strawberry, cherry, or raspberry-flavored)
  • Cupcakes (can have kids decorate with icing and toppings such as candies, sprinkles)

For more fun ideas, be sure to check out my Valentine’s Pinterest Board!

What are your favorite Valentine’s Day sweet treats?

It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas!

Kathie Phillips

Hi friends! Several weeks have passed since I’ve last posted.  Like you (I’m sure), we have been busy getting ready for Christmas.  Here’s a snippet of what’s been going on in my kidmin world as we’re making final preparations:

For Everyone

Our Worship Arts department selected “For Everyone” as our theme & sermon series for Advent. We are learning how Jesus came for EVERYONE.  Each year our Children’s Ministry provides Advent devotionals for our families, so we wanted to try our best to factor this theme into our decision regarding our selection.  Originally, the theme of “Born for the World” was tossed around, so we chose one that fit that theme (even though it was reworded to “For Everyone”).  We landed on this devotional from Creative Communications.  We have heard a few parents tell us this was the best Advent devotional we’ve selected so far.  Yay!

MANGER-ON-THE-MANTEL-HANDOUT (1)

Deck the Halls

On the first Sunday in Advent (Sunday, November 30th), my church held an all-church event where our entire congregation (including children) were invited to come out to decorate the church, make crafts (including an Advent wreath) and enjoy a meal together.  Started last year, Deck the Halls is one of the few all-church events we offer throughout the year and it’s so much fun!

Sunday Programming

All of our kidmin Sunday programming for Christmas will obviously center around the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  For younger children (toddlers & preschoolers), the lessons will be simple, as this might be the first time many of them hear about the Christmas story.  Since many of our older children (elementary students and preteens) have heard the Christmas story before, we are being intentional about helping them personalize the story in a different way, while having lots of fun of course.  I’ve incorporated some ideas from ideas I’ve collected on Pinterest.  You can check out my kidmin Advent & Christmas board here.  There are over 230 ideas!

Worship Time

Each year, our Pre-K children – 5th graders lead the worship for our family Christmas Eve services, so on each Sunday during Advent (during their regularly scheduled kids’ worship time), they practice the songs they will sing.  This year, we added our 3 year-olds to our worship time and they are just precious. Songbooks, CDs and a video showing the motions are provided to families so that children can rehearse at home.

Christmas Eve Services

Every year, our church holds four (4) Christmas Eve services, with the first two being designed for families.  Children’s Ministry works closely with our Worship Arts department to plan and implement these two services, which will include:

  • a welcome/call to worship given by yours truly
  • lighting of the Advent wreath by two families
  • our 3 year-olds – 5th graders leading the families in worship
  • several older students sharing a special reading
  • a solo by one of our older students
  • a family friendly (and shortened) sermon
  • candlelight ceremony (we provide battery-operated candles for children)

Just a few things we’re doing to get ready for Christmas.  I’d love to hear (and see!) what you’re doing.  How are you getting ready for Christmas?

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