Issue 44
GA ME S
Games are a great way to mix it up with your group of children. They are lots of fun and a good way to let off a bit of steam. They help break down barriers between children too and build relationships. But used well, games can be a lot more – they can be an essential part of your teaching. They can be a bridge from the world of the Bible to the world of the children. Use them to introduce a topic, reinforce the learning of the day or allow the children to practice putting biblical concepts into action. Before you play a game, decide what you want it to achieve and adapt it so that it does what /%+ - $* * *% ""%- * # %( ( 2$ * ( * # $ %%) %% '+ )* %$) *% )! *% "& * " ( $ ( 3 * %$ * " ($ $
TOP TIPS CHILDREN
FOR PLAYING GAMES WITH YOUR
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Know  your  children.  What  will  work  with  them?  How  are  they  feeling?  Is  it  time  for  a  fun  game  or  going  a  bit  deeper? Know  your  game.  Make  sure  you  have  the  right  equipment  and  practice  it  if  you’ve  never  played  it  before. Know  your  environment.  Is  there  enough  room?  Are  there  safety  concerns?  Manage  risk  well. Make  instructions  clear,  but  be  concise  and  fast  moving  -  instructions  shouldn’t  take  longer  than  the  game! Join  in  and  get  other  leaders  involved  too.  Games  are  a  great  opportunity  for  building  relationships. Finish  games  when  they  are  at  their  peak  -  read  the  signals  and  stop  BEFORE  children  get  bored  or  become  a  bit  silly.  Be  enthusiastic,  inclusive  and  encouraging  throughout. Don’t  be  too  competitive  or  embarrass  anyone. Â
SUNZ’s 2014 WAY2GO children’s ministry conferences are coming
You up so keep the dates free. re won’t want to miss out! The will be inspirational teaching and lots of practical ideas as ing well. This year, we are runn a special extension track for l as experienced leaders as wel istry Min ’s dren our Chil (* 2 * * ( /%+1( new volunteer or an expert children’s worker, this g conference will be an enrichin experience for you.
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DUNEDIN - 15 March 2014 AUCKLAND- 29 March 2014
WELLINGTON - 12 April 2014 Registrations open in December.
Welcome  to  the  e. WAY2GO  magazin  or s  f ea  id of It’s  full  th  people  who  work  wi ches  ur children  in  their  ch ities. and  local  commun  Pull  it  out  and pass  it  around.
November 2013
13
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IT’S IN THE BAG Aagh!
t a pro co f
You’ve planned a great lesson, but the children race through it quicker than you thought they would. You look hopefully across at the adults’ service, but they are )* "" % $ )*(%$ * $ /%+ % / $%* # ! +& ( % # ) $ , * ( / *% +) ) * # 2"" ( ! )+( /%+( "%%!) " ! +$ )% * * the children have a sense of anticipation when you get it out for them to use. If – – – – – – –
you include the following items you can play all sorts of games: 2 noisy rubber chickens or other funny objects (pet or baby toys are good) 3 red and 3 black ping pong balls a very loud buzzy timer a set of cards with an alphabet letter on each card a set of face cards enough plastic squares for each child to have one You will need two a ball chickens. Ask everyone to stand in a circle and hold hands. Place the two chickens on opposite sides of the circle. $ /%+ ) / % * " ( $ & )) * ! $) around clockwise. Play until one chicken catches up to the other. The child who is holding the chickens when they catch up must answer a question. Then the game starts again.
CHICKEN Â TAG
ULTIMATE  GAMES , ( %&/ % "* # * # ) *% , - / *% * 2()* & ()%$ - % ( $ ) +) +& $ # $* %$) "* # * # ) is crammed full of creative and imaginative ways to help you and your group explore the Bible through playing games. Active games, quiet games, team games, individual games, games for children, games for young people -� they’re all here so make * #%)* % * ) +$ - / *% .&"%( % 1) %( /%+ # )) * free copy, you can buy your own from SUNZ for $25.99. Check it out along with our other resources online at www.sunz.org.nz or freephone us on 0508 423 836 to ask us about it. 14
sunz.org.nz
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11/1/13 7:49 PM
e D
Ki
SP EL LC HE CK You will need the alphabet cards. Give one or two cards to each child. Call out a key word you have used during the programme. The children with the correct letters have to run up the front and spell the word using the letters.
BA CK UP
nd the he circle. ! $) ken who is atch up the
()* )
You will need the timer. Ask the children to #%%$- "! (%+$ $ * (%%# $ * timer goes off, they face the closest person and tell that person a piece of information, such as their favourite Bible story, or a Bible character, or the verse from the programme. As soon as each of the children has had a chance to share, they stand back to back. Repeat as often as you like.
You will need the ball and the vinyl squares. Set up a goal at each end of the room. Scatter one vinyl square for each player in between the goals. Divide the children into two teams. Play soccer but each player must keep one foot on the vinyl square at all times.
PU SH Â M E Â PU LL Â Y OU You will need the vinyl squares. Put the children in groups of three. They stand in a circle and hold hands with a vinyl square in the middle of them. They try and pull and push the other members of the group onto the square.
There are more games on our website:
www.scriptureunion.org.nz/resources/way2go Print them out and keep them with your bag. Downloadable copies of the face cards and alphabet cards are all available from there too.
Kings & Queens SUPAkidz Camps
ve or
ck
FOOSBALL
Auckland –
19 to 23 January 2014
Wellington -�
12 to 16 January 2014
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There’ll be lots to do -� exciting games, making cool stuff, hanging out with new friends and fun leaders and exploring more about God at the same time. Send your children along or even better, come with them and get to know them in a whole new way. SUPAkidz Camps are a great way to build relationships and strengthen your ministry. If you would like to know more about camp or if you would like to be a leader, visit www.sunz.org.nz for more camp info or to register online. November 2013 15
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you lead a SUPAkidz Club or a NEW NEW NEW Do SURGE Group? , )%# * , */ %. ) +"" % '+ &# $* $ ) %( /%+ *% %((%- $ +) - * your children. Keep the box for up to a term and use it as part of your programme. All you have to do is email us at way2go@sunz.org.nz and tell us which one you would " ! 0 2()* $ 2()* ) (, - "" %+( ( * *% /%+ $ - $ /%+ , 2$ ) %( * * $ of the term, you courier it back to us.
The Parachute Box
– includes a parachute and lots of ideas for how to use it to play games and tell stories.
The Wikki Stix Box
0 !! * . $ $* $*% "" )%(*) % ) & ) ) * # *% "& /%+( " ( $ ( 3 * %$ )%# * $ /%+ want them to think about and then share what they are thinking about with each other.
Stacking Cups
– put your children into teams and use the four sets of stacking cups and timers to race against each other.
The Pottle Box
– 900 pottles your children can use for building or creating or almost anything. Great for experiential games and storytelling.
Elastics
0 # # ( &" / $ " )* ) ! $ * / %- /%+( children can play it too. It’s lots of fun and a good way to build relationships! Instructions included.
Skipping Ropes – long ones, short ones, all sorts of ropes for you to use to
keep your children active.
The Game Box
– a set of equipment for a multitude of 5 minute games to help /%+ 2"" $ * %) " **" #%# $*) $ /%+( &(% ( ## - $ /%+ - $* *% , )%# +$ $ change of pace. Ready for you to use.
Planning ahead for next year?
SUNZ wants to help you get involved with your local school – talk to us about SUPAkidz Clubs for primary age children, or SURGE groups for young people in years 7 and 8. These lunchtime or after school programmes help children and young people explore who they are and what they value from a Christian perspective. They are easy to run and we provide programme ideas, support and training. Contact us if you would like to know more, email:
way2go@sunz.org.nz
Scripture Union wants to work with your church to create opportunities for children and young people to discover $ %""%- )+) (%- ) " () $ $3+ $ * -%(" %$* * +) $ " * +) !$%- %- - $ "& /%+
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sunz.org.nz
Scripture Union in New Zealand – PO Box 760, Wellington 6140 way2go@sunz.org.nz – 0508 423 836 – www.sunz.org.nz
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