Easy Nativity Discovery Box for Under 5s

We're having a Nativity Activity day on Saturday and I'm busy getting things ready!  Here's something we're going to use to help the younger children to explore and play with the Nativity story: a discovery box full of items connected to the story and friendly for smaller hands.

It's very easy to put together.  I got a big cardboard box, shredded some yellow paper and then put some Nativity themed items inside.  Here's what's in the box...

• Wooden nativity character decorations
• felt stars
• wooden hearts
• a fabric heart
• a wooden cross
• a wooden dove
• a battery operated candle
• three small gift boxes
• some coconut shells (to make animal hoof noises!)
• a glittery discovery bottle to help children connect with the awe and wonder of Jesus' birth

Looking forward to playing!

Posada! Getting ready for Mary and Joseph's Advent Journey

We are very excited at the moment as we are getting ready for our first Parish posada!

Posada is a tradition that started in Mexico with people dressing up as Mary and Joseph and visiting a different house in the village every night during Advent.  We aren't sending people, but little dolls instead!

I've made two figures out of plastic cups. ping pong balls and felt and they are going to travel around the parish during Advent, being passed from home to home.  Some people are taking them to work, others are taking them to school, to Christmas parties, to local cafes and they're even coming to beer and carols!  

It's all about offering hospitality to Mary and Joseph as they make their journey, so when they arrive in each place there is a special welcoming prayer to say, a carol to sing and then the chance to have a little party with neighbours.  Mary and Joseph travel around with a little bag containing a Nativity storybook, an Advent Journey game, colouring pages and play dough mats, so there are lots of things for children to do when Mary and Joseph come to visit!

Our Posada has a Facebook page, so have a look and follow their journey this Advent!

24 Things to do in Advent: Printable Booklet for Families

This is a version of the Advent booklet we will be giving out to children and families at church this year.  There is a grid of 24 things that can be done over the Advent period- at home or in church.  There will probably be some crossover!  

Included in the pack are a colouring sheet, a game, make-your-own Nativity story figures, a recipe and some random acts of kindness to try. 

I've removed all markings that tie it to our church in particular, so anyone can print it out and use it where they are! 

Click here to print.

The format means that it will print out quite well into a 4 page booklet.  

If you use it, let me know how it goes!

Christingle Play Dough Mat

If you do Christingle every year, it's always good to have a few new activities up your sleeve!

Here is a play dough mat to help children to explore the different parts of the Christingle and to think about the good things God has given them.

If you aren't sure what a Christingle is, here are some previous posts which will explain all...

Click here to print off the mat.  Laminate the mat if you think you will use it repeatedly as this really helps to get the play dough off without damage!

Remembrance Day Assembly: Revelation 21

Remembrance Sunday can be quite sensitive for many reasons and schools often request assemblies at this time.  Here's an assembly based on the theme of peace that can be adapted for any age group.

You will need: a large poppy prop, bubble mix and bubble wand, poppy seeds (optional but useful!)

Ask Children about the poppies they see people wearing at this time of year and might be wearing themselves.  What are they for?  Using the prop, talk about the different parts of the poppy

Red petals- a reminder of the blood that was and is spilled in wars- sacrifice of others

Flower-the poppies that grew on the battlefields were a sign of new life and hope for the future

leaf- set at 11 o clock position to remind us of the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month when the armistice was signed.  This is the day and the time we remember those who have died.

Talk about the fact that war is a painful, hurtful thing but it is not the picture that God really has for the world.  Talk then about Revelation 21:4 where we are told about a world with no more sadness, pain, war or suffering.  This is a place of peace.  What do you think peace feels like?  Looks like?

Look at the dark centre of your poppy.  This is where the seeds are held- planting the seeds brings hope of new life.  We can help to bring about this new life, this vision of peace that God has.  We might think that we are remembering things from a long time ago, but actually this is something that we can be involved in now.

How can we help to bring peace? In our families, in our school, in the world?

Say each line of the following prayer to the children and ask them to sit quietly and watch the bubbles until they pop. Imagine that, as the bubbles pop, peace is coming to that situation and the hard thing is disappearing.  When the last bubble has popped say the next line.

We think of/ pray for all who are angry- bring them peace

We think of/ pray for all who are jealous- bring them peace

We think of/ pray for all who are greedy- bring them peace 

We think of/ pray for all who hate- bring them peace 

We think of/ pray for all who are afraid- bring them peace

Amen

To accompany this assembly, there is a play dough mat using the same verse from Revelation.

Advent Journey Game: Print and Play

So now we are into November it officially time to start planning Advent: less than a  month to go before Advent Sunday!

Here is a game to get you in the mood and to help children to get involved in the Advent story.  Either play the game then tell the story and see which of the key events the children recognise, or vice versa.  

You will need: A print out of the game per group, counters or buttons to use as counters, dice.

Click here to print the game.

Happy playing!