Play, creativity, and curiosity are gifts that are deeply connected with our faith life. For this reason, Children's Ministry staff will be compiling play and activity prompts for all ages in this document which will be updated throughout the week. None of this is meant to be complicated or burdensome. All we need for everyday faith rooted in wonder is ordinary stuff, time together, and hearts open to the unexpected gifts. 

Parents often ask how to approach the difficult stories of Holy Week with children. Particularly now, when we are sheltered at home and worried, we find hope and meaning as we enter into the mystery that nothing can stop God’s love for us.

While sharing the events of Holy Week in developmentally and theologically appropriate ways is  important, picture books can inspire conversations around the major themes of Holy Week. If you are looking for a Bible story for each day, these bookmarks will help.Below are the picture books we are reading to children this week that roughly correspond with the Bible bookmark stories. I have linked youtube videos of the books being read when possible.

Monday: Giving

The Gift Inside the Box by Adam Grant and Allison Sweet Grant

I wonder which gifts are the greatest?

Tuesday: Love Your Neighbor

Good People Everywhere by Lynea Gillen

I wonder how we love our neighbors?

Wednesday: A Woman Does Something Special

When God Made You by Matthew Paul Turner or Stand Tall Molly Lou Mellon by Patty Lovell

Both of these books are illustrated by David Catrow

I wonder if someone has ever misunderstood you?

Thursday: The Last Supper or Jesus Prays

This wonderful book is out of print, but if you have it, read The Greatest Table: A Banquet to Fight Against Hunger. Another suggestion would be to pray using the Praying in Color resources.

Good Friday

The Big Umbrella by Amy June Bates

I wonder what the umbrella could really be?

Or Little Mole Finds Hope by Glenys Nellist

I wonder where you see hope today?

Saturday: 

Candlewalk by  Karin Holsinger Sherman

I wonder where you felt close to God today?

Easter Sunday: 

The World is Awake: A celebration of everyday blessings by Linsey Davis

For more picture book suggestions, I recommend the Storypath and Picturebook Theology websites.

• Care for God’s earth by picking up trash outside.
• Plant a seed and watch it grow!
• What can you make with things you already have at home? In ​Joseph Had a Little Overcoat​ we see how you can make something from what others consider nothing.

• Call or video chat with a grandparent or someone you love who is far away right now. Ask them about the toys they played with when they were little. What was their favorite game? What did they do when they were bored?​

• Draw a picture or write a letter to say thank you to someone you know who is doing good right now. Teachers, doctors, and nurses would love to receive mail. Be sure to wave to your postal carrier when they pick up the letter!

Research the needs of a food pantry or shelter  near you. Decorate a box to collect food and paper goods to donate. Over the next few weeks, see what you can add to the box, even  if you are “shopping” from your own pantry.

Think about where God is in the stories you read. The story of Abraham and Sarah includes laughter. In fact, they name their son, Isaac, which means “he laughs.” I wonder, where does laughter come from? ​​

Create your own collage with scraps of paper, scissors and glue. Experiment with colors and shapes. Matisse called this "painting with scissors."​

Make an octopus out of recycling or craft supplies. What will you use for the arms? What color will it be? ​Eric Carle uses painting and collage to create animals.​Eric Carle uses painting and collage to create animals.​

Build your own neighborhood with blocks, toy cars, and boxes. Be creative!

Go outside or look at the image of Kenilworth Union's Psalm 19 window (later in this book). See how many colors and shapes you can find. Say thank you to God for the gifts of shape and color that make beautiful art. ​

Tell a story with your stuffed animals today. Which one has a special gift? Which one does silly things? Which ones make you smile?​​

In ​The Monster at the End of this Book, ​Grover uses big bricks to keep the pages from turning. Use your blocks to build something big and strong.

Build your own neighborhood with blocks, toy cars, and boxes. Be creative!

What can you use to make your own cozy burrow? Blankets? Pillows?

Stars, squares, triangles, and eights​ all can help us breathe slowly and deeply. Draw or paint your own shape to help you.

Headspace​ is one of many groups creating videos that equip children to calm themselves during stressful times.

Make a gratitude jar or box. When you notice something you are thankful for, say "thank you, God!" write or draw it on a piece of paper and place it in the box to remember that even in hard times, God still gives us many gifts.​

The Lord's Prayer, Psalm 23 and other verses can bring us peace in the midst of worry. Find one that speaks to you and say it regularly until you know it by heart. During VBS last year we sang the "Magnificat"​ by Rain for Roots.

Materials Needed: Dice, paper, pencils, crayons or markers.​

​Directions:

Begin by drawing a body shape on our paper. Be creative! Take turns rolling the dice. Draw the body part that matches the number you roll, creating a wild monster. How many eyes will it have? Noses?

One die (to practice counting)

1= eye

2=nose

3=mouth

4= ear

5= eyebrow

Two dice (for beginning addition):

1=eyebrow

2= hand

3= finger

4= mouth

5= teeth

6= eye

7= nose​

8= ear​

9= toe

10= belly button

11= foot

12= hair

The Tickeloctopus  ​by Audrey Wood.  This story imagines where laughter came from.

• Tell a story with your stuffed animals today. Which one has a special gift? Which one does silly things? Which ones make you smile? 
• Make an octopus out of recycling or craft supplies. What will you use for the arms? What color will it be? ​

Many Zoos and Aquariums have videos and webcams of their animals. Become a researcher! While watching your favorite aquatic animal, make a list of questions about that animal. Then do online research to find the answers. The Shedd Aquarium  has a video series called "Sea Curious"​ and an "Underwater Beauty"​ live cam.

Think about where God is in the stories you read. The story of Abraham and Sarah includes laughter. In fact, they name their son, Isaac, which means “he laughs.” I wonder, where does laughter come from? 

Psalm 126: 2 A Harvest of Joy

Then our mouth was filled with laughter,   and our tongue with shouts of joy; then it was said among the nations,   “The Lord has done great things for them.”

The Monster at the End of This Book  ​by Jon Stone. A silly, interactive book that reminds us that all people are speical.

• Grover uses big bricks to keep the pages from turning. Use your blocks to build something big and strong.

• “Make a Monster” is a fun way to practice counting and addition. Use one die for counting, two for addition. Assign each number a body part: head, body, eye, ear, mouth, etc. Start with a blank piece of paper. Each time you roll a number, draw the body part that goes with the number. What kind of wild monster will you end up with?
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• Psalm 139 reminds us that each of us is wonderfully made. Think about all the different things you and your friends are good at. Can your friends stand on their head? Play music? Tell a joke? Paint a picture? Make a friendship bracelet? Do they have a great smile?  Say “thank you” to God for your friends who are all wonderfully made!
  ​

Psalm 139:13-14

For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

 Little Mole Finds Hope by Glenys Nellist

Little mole doesn’t feel good inside. His mom shows him flower bulbs and trees that look dead, but really are just dormant for winter. Can you imagine them dancing in the trees? That’s hope.   ----Little Mole Actiivty pack from the author.

• Go on a nature walk. Look, listen, and sniff for signs of spring.
  
• What can you use to make your own cozy burrow? Blankets? Pillows?
• Use your blocks or craft supplies to make something that hope looks like. Send a picture to Deacon Christine.

• Save a yogurt size container for next week’s take home craft project: Resurrection Gardens​
• Care for God’s earth by picking up trash outside.

Psalm 62:5-6

Oh, I must find rest in God only, because my hope comes from him!

Only God is my rock and my salvation—my stronghold!—I will not be shaken.

Matisse's Garden by Samantha Friedman. Looking at the way Matisse created his art.

• Create your own collage with scraps of paper, scissors and glue. Experiment with colors and shapes. Matisse called this "painting with scissors."

Visit Matisse's work in a virtual museum or learn more about the artist in this video​.​

A more complicated project is to make sun prints​ with Matisse inspired shapes.

Go outside or look at the image of Kenilworth Union's Psalm 19 window (later in this book). See how many colors and shapes you can find. Say thank you to God for the gifts of shape and color that make beautiful art. 

Psalm 19:1

Heaven is declaring God’s glory;
    the sky is proclaiming his handiwork.​

Little Pea ​by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. Little Pea is happy. But there is one thing he does not like. Candy. This is a story picky-eaters can relate to.

• Set up your own pretend restaurant. Make play dough or salt dough food (recipes in this booklet). Invite your family to eat! Will you serve candy? Spinach?
  
• Use your sink as a  water sensory table. Fill the clean sink up with water and pull up a stool. Use measuring cups, containers, and squirty bottles to “cook”.

• Peas are round, so are marbles! Make your own marble track using things you have at home. 
  
• Make veggie faces for an afternoon snack. 

• Call or video chat with a grandparent or someone you love who is far away right now. Ask them about the toys they played with when they were little. What was their favorite game? What did they do when they were bored?
  
• Research the needs of a food pantry or shelter  near you. Decorate a box to collect food and paper goods to donate. Over the next few weeks, see what you can add to the box, even  if you are “shopping” from your own pantry.

Isaiah 43:19

Look! I’m doing a new thing; now it sprouts up; don’t you recognize it?

I’m making a way in the desert, paths in the wilderness.

Good People Everywhere  ​by Lynea Gillen. This book reminds us of the beautiful, caring people in the world.

• What do you want to be when you grow up? Use your dress up clothes and toys to pretend.
• Build your own neighborhood with blocks, toy cars, and boxes. Be creative!

• Draw a picture or write a letter to say thank you to someone you know who is doing good right now. Teachers, doctors, and nurses would love to receive mail. Be sure to wave to your postal carrier when they pick up the letter!

• Make a gratitude jar. Decorate it if you like. Place slips of paper and a pen beside it. When you remember someone or something you are thankful for write or draw it on the slip of paper. Each day, read all of the slips saying, "Thank you, God," for each thing.

Philippians 4:6-7