FUN FAMILY IDEAS!
special
06. My youngest daughter loves flowers, so I always tie flowers around the stair banisters and her chair on her birthday. Jo M, UK office 07. Even though both our kids are grown up, our family always makes a point to decorate the Christmas tree together every year, no matter what else is going on or whatever plans they have with friends. Paul K, North America office
09. My wife makes Saturday morning pancakes once in a month - it makes my children get out of bed. And me too! Joel P, Latin America office 10. When someone in our family has been away - like for a school or work trip - we always go to the same place for ice cream to celebrate that person's return. Jo M, UK office
world’s poorest villages or one of its wealthiest cities, there are days when it’s hard to find the time, creativity, or energy to meaningfully engage with children. So different members of our global Viva team have shared some creative ways they've found to interact with the children in their lives, to inspire your time with the children in yours.
WALKIES!
01. We read with our kids every night, usually going through a book series. At the moment we’re reading through Beast Quest with our son! Mark S, UK office 02. My husband and I enjoyed doing DIY projects with our children when they were at home - gardening, carpentry, housework, etc. It gives you time to spend with them and also teaches them to do things for themselves. Shelagh W, UK office 03. We cannot have a pet, but sometimes my husband asks to borrow the neighbour's dog to take to the park. My children love to run and play with the dog and it uses up lots of their energy, and also they have to look after it on the walk home and hold the lead so they learn to be responsible. Catiuska V, Latin America office 04. We love reading as well as writing stories and poems together - making up rhymes about almost anything, from the serious to the downright ridiculous. The important thing is that we create them together. Martin T, UK office
& Andy D
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his family
K in the U
05. Before my girls go to sleep I try and get them to share with me some stories of the day, what has been great or interesting or tough, maybe at school or with friends. Andy D, UK office
aughter & her d Isobel B da in Ugan
08. Every Sunday we have made a pudding as a family. The best one we’ve ever had was a delicious treacle tart. Jackie W, UK office
Although the situation of children is different in each country Viva works in, our staff say that one thing is true in every place: children always want to feel loved and valued by the adults around them. It’s a simple thing, but it’s not an easy thing. Whether we live in one of the
everyday activities
occasions
growing together
11. When I was growing up my parents would let us have these ‘lounge sleepovers’ every few months. We were allowed to drag all our duvets and pillows downstairs to curl up and watch a film, then the whole family slept on the lounge floor. It can’t have been that comfortable for my parents, but us kids thought it was the best thing ever. Beth G, UK office
sharing faith
12. We all take it in turns share an to lead fa y of the mily pra ir thoug have you yer time hts or B doing cra s, getting ible read z ings from y things the child but ofte (like acti ren to n you als th e day. Som ng out th o get a g Jo M, UK etimes th e re w a h t ole gene insight in office ey alogy of to how Gary K God is sp Jesus!) & his k 13. We ids in In e a k h in ave spec g to child dia ial shells ren. a time a and ston s we pra es for pra y for diffe ye re r nt people we put th 14. Loa . Isobel B em in a ds of my , Africa o jar one a knowled sing-a-lo ffice t g e ng tapes of Bible stories a my pare verses a nd chara nts used nd stori cters is to play fo es stick thanks to catchy tu r us in th in your h nes. Beth the e car. It’s ead ove G, UK o r a th mazing h e y e ffice ars whe o 15. In o w n they’re ur home set to we have when we a small cro pray and ss that th make re God answ e childre quests to ers a pra n made God we yer we g at church Gary K, A stick the o back to , and sia office m on the the cross cross. Wh and see en it and sa y thank you.
BIBLE SING-A-L ONG
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