GAMES
Games are often regarded as a timefiller but choose the right ones and they can be a really useful tool in helping children engage and learn. Science suggests we learn more effectively when we’re active and many children love to be ‘up and doing’.
At five-years-old children still find it hard to lose and are only just beginning to work with others, so choose games and activities that involve everyone for most of the time, such as hunting objects that tell the story. By seven or eight children will enjoy working as a team, have a desire to win, and have the self-discipline to wait for their turn. Relay race games, team quizzes and charades will be popular.
Fill the gap: 120 instant Bible games for Sunday schools and midweek groups
(Rebecca Parkinson, Barnabas)
Easy-to-play Bible-based games with little or no preparation needed – perfect for picking straight off the shelf! The ideas are designed to help local churches fill up those awkward gaps of time in Sunday schools, midweek clubs, holiday clubs, after school clubs and children’s camps. The games are divided equally across the Old Testament and the New Testament and offer a fun-filled way to reinforce a teaching point or help children unfamiliar with Bible stories. There are two games for each story, one aimed at 4-7s and the other at 7-11s, but many of the games can be modified slightly to make them appropriate for older or younger children to take part. Most of the games are suitable for both smaller and larger groups of children.
Ultimate games
(Patricia Goodland, Scripture Union)
Creative and imaginative ways to help you and your group explore the Bible through playing games. Active games, quiet games, team games, individual games – all with the instructions and guidance you need to make the most of this fun way to explore God’s Word!
Loads of Hands On ways to make things fun
(Nick Jackson & Ed Jones, 2015 conference)
Delegate rating 9/10