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SALT DOUGH THANKS
Aim: to make 3D ‘thanks’ sculptures
It’s easy to think that prayer only involves words. However, in this simple activity you can encourage children to use non-verbal language to express their thanks to God. All you have to do is make some salt dough, put it out, perhaps along with some tools such as cutters or plastic cutlery, and then invite the children to create sculptures of thanks to God. If possible, refrain from asking what they are making or congratulating them on a ‘good’ model. Instead give them freedom to talk with you about their model if they want to, or to work in silence if they choose.
To make the salt dough mix half a cup of salt for every cup of flour then add half a cup of water gradually – you may not need all of it as you don’t want sticky dough. Knead the dough, and then it’s ready! You could also add food colouring or glitter. After they’ve shaped the dough, you could let them dry and paint them as an extension activity, but the focus is all about the process of the children creating their own ‘thanks’ sculpture.
Notes for ADAPTING
...for an all-age service setting
You could have dough on a table for people to use, give them a small bit in a bag as they arrive, or pass dough along the row for people to help themselves. Have an area for people to put their finished models.
...for families at home
You could send children home with some salt dough in a bag with instructions on how to use it to thank God at home.
FIZZY FORGIVENESS
Aim: to give children space to forgive
Set up some large glass jugs of water (you could also use large vases or a fish tank). Each should be on its own table with a chair or have its own space with somewhere to sit next to it. Each station should also have a small supply of vitamin tablets and some written instructions.
Invite the children to take it in turns to sit next to one jug and think about something someone has done to hurt, annoy or upset them. Explain that holding onto these feelings only makes us feel worse. God has made a way for us to let go of these feelings – it’s called forgiveness. Invite them to hold a tablet and think about the person who has hurt them, then to drop it in the water and as it dissolves, ask God to help them let go of the hurt they feel.
Notes for ADAPTING
...for an all-age service setting
You could have lots of stations to do this or have it as part of a wider prayer time. Make sure you have more water on hand for when it gets cloudy and you need to change it.
...for families at home
You could use a piece of a tablet and a pint glass or a clear plastic beaker of water.
Thanks to Orison orisonschools.org.uk where I first came across this idea.
MERINGUE MEDITATION
Aim: to allow children to experience a Bible verse as well as think about it
This activity takes a bit of preparation but children will love it! Make this verse below from Psalm 119:103 out of meringue: ‘How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!’ Or use this shorter alternative from the Contemporary English Version of the Bible: ‘Your teachings are sweeter than honey.’
Read the verse out loud then allow the children to slowly eat it. As they do, invite them to wonder about how God’s words or teachings might be sweet to taste, sweeter than honey. This is like the Jewish practice for Shavuot, of putting honey on a tablet with a Bible verse on it and inviting children to lick off the honey while the verse is read out.
To make your meringue, whisk five egg whites until they’re very stiff. Gradually add 275g of caster sugar, whisking well between each spoonful. Whisk until very stiff and glossy. Spoon the mixture into a piping bag (or a plastic sandwich bag with a tiny corner cut off) and pipe the letters onto grease proof paper-lined baking trays. Bake them overnight at the lowest setting your oven will allow and leave them to completely cool before using. You can make your meringues days, if not weeks beforehand, and keep them in an air tight container. Be aware of any relevant egg allergies.
Notes for ADAPTING
...for an all-age service setting
Make lots of versions, perhaps inviting some of the bakers in your church to help you! Get people to eat in silence then chat about how God’s word might be sweet to them.
...for families at home
Challenge children to think about this verse as they eat sweet things at home this week. You could send them home with a challenge to write or draw all the sweet things they eat and how God’s word might be sweet like them.
