Tag Archives: Halloween

Halloween Graveyard

October 25, 2016 kensapp Leave a comment

A daring vacationer in Vienna is walking through a graveyard on Halloween when all of a sudden she hears music. No one is around, so she starts looking to see where it’s coming from. She finally locates the source and finds it is coming from a grave with a headstone that reads, “Ludwig van Beethoven.” Then she realizes that the music is the Ninth Symphony and it is being played backward.

Puzzled, she leaves the graveyard and persuades a friend to return with her. By the time they arrive back at the grave, the music has changed. This time it is the Seventh Symphony, but it is also being played backward.

Curious, the ladies agree to consult a music scholar. When they return with the expert, the Fifth Symphony is playing and the expert concludes that the symphonies are in fact being played in reverse order.

By the next day the word spread and a huge group gathered around the grave to hear the Second Symphony being played backward. Just then the graveyard’s caretaker approaches the group.

Someone in the crowd asks him if he has an explanation for the music.

“Oh, it’s nothing to worry about,” says the caretaker. “He’s just decomposing.”

Game Ideas, Object Lessons

Candy Corn Choices

October 22, 2014 kensapp Leave a comment

Candy corn is the top-selling Halloween candy and the most talked about candy during Halloween, but it is also talked about as the worst candy for you. Candy Corn isn’t real corn. It is almost pure sugar – a sweet imitation of the real thing which isn’t good for us in any way. So it’s good, but it’s bad. How do we decide what things are good for us in our Christian life? The most difficult decisions are often not between what is good and bad, but between what is permissible and what is beneficial to us.

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Candy Corn Games

Candy Corn Cluckers – Fill a bowl with dried corn kernels or peanuts and add several pieces of candy corn. Blindfolded youth must retrieve the candy corn from the bowl within a designate amount of time without eating the dried corn kernels / nuts. The teen that retrieves the most candy corn in the designated time limit wins.
Candy Corn Pitching – Youth take turns pitching ten to twenty candy corn kernels, one at a time, into a bowl from a set distance. You might choose to have various bowls of different sizes and at different distances. Display the points based upon difficulty. Keep score of how many kernels end up in the various bowls. The winner is the youth with the highest score after three rounds.
Odds or Evens – Each player starts out with the same number of candy corn kernels. Players rotate about the room pairing up with others. When they find a partner, one youth hides a few kernels of candy corn in his hand. The other youth must guess if the number of corn kernels is odd or even. If guessed correctly, the player can add the kernels to his own collection. Youth take turns hiding and guessing, until one player has all the corn or until a specified time limit! [With this game the candy corn can get a little messy 🙂 to avoid the mess use individually wrapped mints or other candy.]
Candy Corn Drop – Have the youth stand on a sturdy chair or other safe elevation and drop the pieces down into a person’s mouth who is lying on the floor. The youth who gets the most candy corn into the person’s mouth in a given time frame wins.
Candy Corn Toss – Place the pieces of candy corn into a small sealed sandwich bag or similar cellophane bag and have a “candy corn bag” toss. Number pails, bowls, or plastic pumpkins, placing them in a row perpendicular to A start line, pail number one being closest. youth stand behind the line and throw candy cord bags into each consecutive bucket. Keep score or issue prizes for hitting each target.
Candy Corn Bocce – On a smooth surface like a table, one youth acts as the referee, sliding out the first piece of candy corn. He then marks this piece with a toothpick. Contestants take turns sliding 4 different pieces as close to the referee’s mark as they can. The referee determines which piece is the closest, awarding that youth or team a point. Play until someone gets ten points.
Candy Corn Hunt – Fill small plastic bags with candy corn and hide them throughout the yard. Send players out into the yard to find the bags until every bag has been claimed. You may also divide the players up into groups and see which group can find the most bags. This game can also be played inside, or at night with flashlights.
Corny Scramble – Toss handfuls of candy corn onto a large table clear of obstacles. Give each youth a treat bag and make the scramblers wait until you say “Boo!” On the signal, the players must run forward and collect as many pieces of candy corn as possible. Once all the kernels have been picked up, see who has the most candy in his bag.
Guess the Kernels – Fill a decorated jar or Halloween treat pail with pieces of candy corn, making sure you count how many pieces you put into the container. Set the container up on a table supplied with slips of paper, pencils and a bucket to put the paper slips into. Each participant may take one guess at how many pieces of candy are inside the container. The player who guesses the closest to the actual amount wins all the candy corn.
Kernel Relay – Mark a starting line and a finish line with masking tape on the floor roughly 15 feet apart. Set an empty bowl for each player at the finish line and a bag of candy corn and a spoon at the starting line. Have each player stand at a bag of corn and take the spoon in hand, placing a single kernel on the spoon. The youth will then carefully race a piece of corn to an empty bowl at the finish line, trying not to let the candy fall off the spoon. Each player will continue to race from the bag of corn to the bowl to see how many pieces of candy she or he can get into the bowl within the allotted time of one minute. If a player drops a kernel from the spoon, that youth must then run back to the bag of candy corn and get another piece to start over again.
Candy Corn and Straws Relay – Divide the youth into teams and give every person on a team a plastic straw and a paper cup. Place a piece of candy corn in the first team member’s cup. The youth must create a vacuum in the straw to pick up the candy corn and place it into the next person’s cup. First team to get the candy corn into the last person’s cup wins. If the candy corn is dropped on the floor, the team must start completely over at the beginning.
Where’s the Corn? – Line up three plastic cups out on a tabletop in front of a youth. Place a single piece of candy corn under one of the cups, allowing the player to see which cup the corn is under. Begin to change the cups’ formation around for five to ten seconds. The youth then must try to remember which cup is hiding the candy and will continue to play and collect candy corn until he or she chooses the wrong cup. Give the earned candy corn to that player, and continue on with the next player until every youth has won pieces of candy.
Candy Corn and Spoons – Divide into teams, have each team to line up single file, and have a cup with one or more pieces of candy corn for each team. Give each player a spoon. The first player on each team picks up a piece of candy corn with the spoon, spins around in place 3 times, then passes the candy to the next person on the team. Candy Corn can only be touched with the spoon. If the candy is dropped the team must start over again from the beginning. First team to get all the marbles down the line wins.
Chopsticks and Candy Corn – Using a pair of chopsticks and a couple shallow bowls or saucers, each youth is given one minute to move candy corn from one bowl to the other using only the chopsticks. Only one hand can be used to hold the chopsticks. The youth to transfer the most candy corn wins.
Tick-Tack-Corn – Pair the youth up into groups of two and sit them down at a table across from each other. Give the pair a tick-tack-toe board, and one player a handful of regular candy corn pieces. The other youth will receive a handful of the chocolate variety of candy corn, making one player the yellow team and the other player the brown team. Have the players play tick-tack-toe using their corn until one player wins, or until there is a draw. This may continue for as many rounds as desired.
Musical Candy Corn – Fill treat bags with candy corn for as many youth as are playing, minus one. Set the bags up in a circle on a tabletop or floor. Have the players circle around the bags at a steady walking pace while some music plays. Stop the music at random, at which point each player tries to grab the bag closest to him. Whoever fails to grab a bag or candy corn in time is out of the game, and the players still in must set the bags back up in the circle. Remove one of the bags from the circle, then start the music up again. Continue this until the game is down between two players and one treat bag. Whoever snatches up the last bag is the game winner.
Candy Corn Foosball – Have two youth stand at either end of a large table. One youth throws candy corn (or a plastic bag of it) to the other end of the table, and the other youth must block it from going through and making a goal. Use a dry sponge for blocking making sure it is one that will not scratch your table.
Candy Corn Straw Relay – Race to see who could move the most candy corn from the table into a bowl in sixty seconds using only a single straw.
Candy Corn Catch – You’ll need one plastic pumpkin with a handle for each team, one bag of candy corn per team, and a belt or length of rope for each team. Use the rope or belt to secure the pumpkin around the waist of one player per team. Have the team member who is wearing the pumpkin stand about 7 to 10 feet away from the players who will be throwing the candy corn. The player wearing the pumpkin may move around to try and catch the candy corn as it is thrown without using their hands to deflect the candy corn in any way. Once everyone has thrown the candy corn, take the pumpkin and count the candy corn inside. The youth with the most candy corn wins.

TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL

MAKE IT SPIRITUAL

What are some of the differences between real corn and candy corn?
Which is good for you? Bad for you?
What other things in life are good for you? Bad for you?
How do you know the difference?

Candy corn may not kill you, but it most certainly is not the best for you. It may taste sweet, but the sugar rush doesn’t last and it really isn’t something that is good for you. Corn is healthy and good for us, but candy corn, is really just sugar. It’s a sweet imitation of something good. In life there are many things which may seem good, but are not good for us. BUT how can we decide what is good for us and what is not?

MAKE IT PRACTICAL

Some decisions are not simply a matter of right and wrong, but a choice between what is permissable, what is good, and what is best. These are often the toughest decisions.

Here are some guidelines:

Is this action Scripturally based–does Scripture support or condemn it (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10; I Timothy 3:16-17)?
How would this affect my witness for Christ if others knew about it (Matthew 5:13-16; I Thessalonians 5:21-22)?
Would Jesus put his name on this for a stamp of approval? (Colossians 3:17)
Does this fall into the classification of good thinking? (Philippians 4:8)
Will this degrade or defile my body (the temple of the Holy Spirit)? (I Corinthians 6:19)
Will this sooner or later make a slave out of me? (I Corinthians 9:27, 2 Peter 2:19)
Does this have the “smell” of evil on it? (1 Thessalonians 5:22)
Will my indulgence in this tend to weaken someone’s faith? (I Corinthians 8:13)
Does it benefit us or others? (I Corinthians 6:12a, 10:23)
Can you do it with a clear conscience? (Romans 14:22)
Does it bring Glory to God, meet his approval? (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 10:31-33; 2 Corinthians 5:9)
Does it help lead others to Christ? (1 Corinthians 10:33)
Would I be ashamed to be doing this thing when Christ returns (Matthew 24:42-46)?
Does this action hurt others (Romans 14:20-21; Galatians 5:13-15)?

MAKE IT PERSONAL

What are some of the things I allow as substitutes in my life for the real things?
Which of the above considerations is new to me?
Which of the above considerations is most difficult for me?
What can I do this week to be more Christlike?
How can I allow Christ to have more influence in the daily decisions of my life?

SCRIPTURE

1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1 – “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God – even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”

ROMANS 12:2 – “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

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Games and Activities in Celebration of common Holidays.

Creative Holiday Ideas has over 300 pages of ideas to help you plan not only your next Fall Festival or Halloween Alternative event, but also most of the other common holidays. If you’ve ever wondered what you’re going to do for the holidays and how you’re going to do it, this resource is for you.

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Game Ideas, Object Lessons

Christian Pumpkins? – Games and an Object Lesson

October 14, 2014 kensapp Leave a comment

Pumpkins are closely associated with Halloween, Harvest, and Thanksgiving and are most likely native to the Americas. In this week’s lesson you’ll find a lot of game ideas using pumpkins, and also a reminder that God looks at the inside and not merely whats on the outside. He wants us to have a clean heart. Like a like shining from inside the pumpkin, he also wants us to shine out to the world.

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Pumpkin Games

Capture the Pumpkin – For this Pumpkin-themed version of capture the flag, divide the teens into two teams, each with a territory, a jail and a pumpkin. The teens can choose to place the pumpkin anywhere on their territory, but it must be visible. While teams can assign people to guard the pumpkin, you must set a perimeter around it that they cannot enter to give the other team a chance to capture it. The goal is to steal the other team’s pumpkin and make it back to your own territory without getting tagged. If anyone is tagged on another team’s territory, they are sent to jail. Other team members can free them if they can manage to tag them and both make it safely back to their territory. If no one has captured a pumpkin within a certain time frame, determine a winner by the number of prisoners a team has. This game is best played in a large park with plenty of hiding places.
Card Ninja – Players must throw playing cards at a pumpkin trying to get one card to stick in the pumpkin before one minute is up.
Connect The Pumpkin – This game is especially good around Halloween but can be played any time. Purchase some pumpkins and cut them up into pieces (make sure the pieces are not too small). Next to the pieces of pumpkin place a set of wooden toothpicks. Once everyone is ready instruct the group to put the pumpkin together using the toothpicks. Give the group a set time limit and ask them to begin. The team with the pumpkin that has been best put together wins.
Elephant March – Knock over plastic bottles filled with sand using a small pumpkin hanging from panty hose worn around the head.
Pass the Pumpkin – This game is a variation on “hot potato”. Seat the youth on the floor in a circle. Give them a small pumpkin to pass around. Play music as they pass the pumpkin, and periodically stop the music. Whoever is holding the pumpkin is out. The game continues until one person is left with the pumpkin.
Pass the Pumpkin – Youth tuck a small pumpkin under their chin and shoulder, race to their teammate, and pass the pumpkin to them without using their hands. If the pumpkin is dropped, it can be put back into place using hands.
Pin the Nose on the Pumpkin – Using a Black Marker, Draw a face on a pumpkin but leave off the nose. In turn, blindfold each youth and give them a black cutout shape of a nose with double-side tape on the back. Youth must pin the nose on the pumpkin. Closest wins. (You might want to have the nose draw as well. The one who pins the nose most accurately over the drawing wins.)
Pumpkin Bocce Ball – Place the big pumpkin several feet away. Give each player a small pumpkin. Each player rolls (No tossing or throwing) their pumpkin and tries to be the closest to the big pumpkin. The player closest wins …
Pumpkin Carving Contest – Working as teams, youth create the winning carvings for categories such as funniest, spookiest and most beautiful pumpkin. If you have young kids without adult participation, hold a pumpkin painting contest instead.
Pumpkin Golf – Played just like miniature golf where you use putters to hit the golf ball into the pumpkins mouth rather than a cup. To create a pumpkin golf pumpkin, you’ll need to cut off the bottom of the pumpkin and then clean out the inside of the pumpkin and then add the mouth to the pumpkin. The pumpkin’s mouth will also serve as the entry point for the golf ball so the mouth must be at the bottom of the pumpkin. Then create the eyes and nose just as you would a normal pumpkin.
Pumpkin Penny Toss – Carve out a large pumpkin, making a wide opening at the top. Give the youths a limited number of pennies. Have them stand an appropriate distance from the pumpkin and try to toss the pennies in, one at a time. Whoever gets the most inside wins.
Pumpkin Relay – Teams race to be the first to pass the miniature pumpkins to the end of the line without using their hands. If the pumpkin is dropped they must start over again.
Pumpkin Ring Toss – Toss rings over pumpkins with stems.
Pumpkin Roll – You need two large pumpkins and two sturdy sticks (or brooms). The racers, line up on the starting line with the pumpkins turned on their sides. On the signal, the racers use the stick to roll the pumpkins to the finish line. Since pumpkins are uneven, they rarely roll straight.
Pumpkin Roll Icebreaker – With a permanent marker, write some icebreaker questions on a pumpkin until the surface is covered. These can be simple things like your “favorite fall vegetable?” or more personal things like “the scariest moment in your life?”. Then sit the youth on the floor in a circle. Youth roll the pumpkin to each other, but they rarely roll in a straight line. The person closest to the pumpkin must catch it. When caught, the question your thumb lands on is yours. Answer the question then roll it on to someone else, so they can take a turn.
Pumpkin Seed Count – Divide the class into teams of two to four and cut the top off of a pumpkin for each team. Tell the teams that the first team to scoop out and count 50 pumpkin seeds is the winner.
Pumpkin Stackers – Stack five pumpkins on top of each other without them falling in the quickest time.
Pumpkin Toss – Ask the first player to stand 3 to 4 feet away from a deep wicker basket and give him or her 10 to 20 mini pumpkins. See how many can be tossed into the basket in 30 seconds. In the event of a tie, let the finalists compete for the win by determining which one can make 10 baskets in the shortest time.
Pumpkin Transport – Tie five to eight long cord/string pieces (4-6 feet long) to a large ring. Place the ring on the ground with the cords coming out from it like rays of sunshine. Place a small pumpkin on top of the washer. The challenge is for the youth to pick up the ring and pumpkin by hanging onto the strings only without the pumpkin falling off.

TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL

MAKE IT SPIRITUAL

How can pumpkins represent us as Christians?

Just like us, pumpkins are different. God picks you from the patch, brings you in, and washes all the dirt off of you. Then he cuts off the top and scoops out all the yucky stuff. He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc., and then he carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside of you to shine for all the world to see.

How do the following verses relate to Pumpkins and to our lives as Christians?
- 1 Samuel 16:7 – “The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart”
- Matthew 23:25-28 – “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.”
- Jeremiah 17:10 – “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind to reward according to conduct and deeds.”
- Psalm 51:10 – “Create in me a pure heart, O God.”
- Matthew 5:14-16 – “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
- John 8:12 – “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
- 2 Corinthians 4:6 – “For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”
- 2 Corinthians 4:7-10 – “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.”

MAKE IT PRACTICAL

How is the way we clean out A pumpkin like the way Jesus cleans us out when we confess our sins?
What happens when we hide our light so others can’t see it?
What lessons can we learn from Pumpkins?

MAKE IT PERSONAL

What can you do to maintain a clean heart?
What can you do this week to have your light shine brighter for Christ?

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Game Ideas, Object Lessons

Living Skeletons

October 8, 2014 kensapp Leave a comment

Even if you don’t want to be involved with Halloween, you’ll want to grab at least one of those plastic or paper Halloween skeletons for this object lesson and games.

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Skeleton Games

Preparation: Purchase one or more plastic skeletons commonly found during the Halloween holiday season. You can also use a paper skeleton that is already cut into parts or make your own. Separate the plastic skeleton parts into pieces or cut them out if they are on paper.

Build the Skeleton – Obtain one skeleton for each team. Place all the parts for each skeleton in its own sack and give one sack to each team. When you say ‘Go’, each team must take out the skeleton parts and correctly reconstruct the skeletons. Award prizes for the fastest times. You can also give additional prizes for weirdest skeleton, etc.
Skeleton Scavenger Hunt – Hide the skeleton bones before the lesson starts. Let the participants search for them and then reassemble the skeleton. For older youth, you can hide the bones and then write out clues for them to follow to find them. You can also get a few skeletons and break the kids into teams. You can have it as a free for all (i.e. hide all parts and award the first team to find one of each part and put the skeleton together), or you can add a spot of color or a colored ribbon to identify which skeletons belong to which team. Team members must first find a complete set of parts… then they must assemble it correctly.
Skeleton Hoop Toss – This game requires a plastic-molded skeleton, positioned upright, and three plastic hula-type hoops. Mark a place where youth teams must stand. Each youth attempts to toss the three hoops over the skeleton. The player who tosses the most hoops over the skeleton wins.
Blind Skeleton Assembly – Place all the parts for each skeleton in its own sack and give one sack to each team. Each team chooses one team member to be blindfolded. When you say ‘Go’, the blindfolded person must correctly reconstruct the skeleton according to directions given by his or her team. First team to finish wins.
Skeleton Posers – Hang a Skeleton up and then using poster tape, pose the skeletons in different positions and take a picture of each pose. Have fun by placing all the Skeleton’s hands in the air, holding hands, legs positioned like doing a split and so on. You’ll want 20 to 30 different skeleton poses for the game. Take the photos and print out the pictures to create your Skeleton posing cards. When a card is drawn, the first team to pose the skeleton in the correct position wins. Variation: The team chooses one person (who is not allowed to see the photo) to help pose the skeleton according to directions given by the team, so it matches the photo. Variation: Teams are given 3 minutes to see how many Skeleton Poses they can create, the team with the most Poses made in 3 minutes wins.

TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL

One of the scary things about Halloween is the skeletons. A lot of people are afraid of death. When they see bones it reminds them of death and they become afraid. But they are just bones and there is nothing to be scared about. They can’t come to life right? Or can they?

The prophet Ezekiel might have had the first Halloween scare! We don’t know what day it took place, but it probably wasn’t October 31st. Let’s look at Ezekiel 37 to find out more!

MAKE IT SPIRITUAL

Read the key verses from this vision. God’s question to Ezekiel, “Can these dry bones live?” (v3) might be a question a lot of youth ask on 31st of October.

God was talking about more than a skeleton in a closet. He was giving Ezekiel a glimpse into the future when Jesus would conquer death and bring life to us. Jesus did conquer death on a cross. He also resurrected Lazarus from the dead.

Yet God was giving Ezekiel a picture of something more.

The bones represented the house of Israel and their dryness and loss of hope. (v11) The spirit of God would enter their bodies and they would experience restoration and life.

MAKE IT PRACTICAL

There may situations in life when people feel like a pile of dry bones. A new life may seem impossible.

What are some of the seemingly impossible situations youth / people face in life?

Like Ezekiel’s response to God when asked “Can these bones live?”, we can answer “You alone know.” God knows all and with God all things are possible. God can breath life into any situation we are in. Not only can he bring you a new life, but he can also give you a new heart: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. (Ezekiel 36:26-27).

We are all dead in our sin, like a pile of dry bones (Ephesians 2:1)
But God, because of his great love for us, makes us alive in Christ (Ephesians 2:4-5)
We experience new life through faith in Christ! Doing good things doesn’t get us eternal life, but we are made alive in Christ that we might do good things for Him. (Ephesians 2:8-10)

MAKE IT PERSONAL

Have there been times in your own life when you feel like a pile of dry bones?
How can knowing that God can bring even piles of bones back to life give you hope in hopeless situations?
How can Christ’s resurrection give you hope in hopeless situations?

SCRIPTURE VERSES

Ezekiel 37
Ezekiel 36:26-27
Ephesians 2:1
Ephesians 2:4-5
Ephesians 2:8-10

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Creative Teaching Ideas

Fright Night

October 30, 2013 kensapp Leave a comment

How do we deal with fear? If you think about it, the Bible has quite a few scary stories suitable for any fright night. In this one, God takes Ezekiel to a valley filled with hundreds, maybe even thousands of dry human bones, they grow flesh and skin and then come back to life as a vast army. Zombie Apocalypse or an all powerful God who has power over life and death?

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What You Need

No supplies are needed for this lesson, but if you want to decorate the meeting room with a lot of skeletons which are easy to find during the Halloween Season. Scatter them about the room and also bone shaped pieces of paper covering the floor.

Discussion Starters

Divide the groups into teams and ask them to make a list of everything that comes to mind when you think about Halloween?
Most of the things on the list are probably things that are scary or that are related to death.
What are some things you are afraid of?
What are some of the things that frighten you?

What to do

Turn off the lights and read this scary Bible story.

Read Ezekiel 37:1-10

If you think about it, the Bible has quite a few scary stories suitable for any fright night. In this one, God takes Ezekiel to a valley filled with hundreds, maybe even thousands of dry human bones. God tells Ezekiel to command the bones and the and suddenly the bones begin to move. The legs, arms, ribs, come together. They form skeletons. They grow new tendons and skin. And army of dead men rises up. Then God tells him to speak again and those bones, now covered in flesh, come back to life. Imagine how you would feel to simple stand in a valley filled with dry bones. How would you feel? Then to see them begin to grow flesh back on the bones, yet still be dead. Then come to life?

If we admit it, most of us would be pretty afraid.

COMMON FEARS

What are some other things that people are afraid of all year long?

There are hundreds of things that people are afraid of and there are even names for many of these fears. They are called phobias.

GAME #1

One fun idea is to have teams of youth write what they think the definition is. Then each team votes on the definitions. The team whose definition gets the most votes wins 1 point. Any team with the correct definition wins 2 points. Any team that votes on the correct definition gets 1 point.

Top 10 Fears

Arachnophobia – The fear of spiders.
Ophidiophobia – The fear of snakes.
Acrophobia – The fear of heights.
Agoraphobia – The fear of public places
Cynophobia – The fear of dogs.
Astraphobia – The fear of thunder and lightening.
Trypanophobia – The fear of injections.
Social Phobias – The fear of social situations.
Pteromerhanophobia – The fear of flying.
Mysophobia – The fear of germs or dirt.

Here’s some others from the hundreds of fears

Demophobia – The fear of crowds.
Musophobia – The Fear of mice.
Arachibutyrobphobia – The fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth.
Gephyrophobia – The fear of crossing a bridge.
Belonephobia – The fear of needles.
Claustrophobia – The fear of confinement in closed places.
Lyssophobia – The fear of insanity.
Hydrophobia – The fear of water.
Climacophobia – The fear of stairs, elevators, or escalators.
Ailurophobia – The fear of cats.
Hypengyophobia – The fear of responsibility.
Thalassophobia – The fear of the sea or ocean.
Panphobia – The fear of everything.

Game #2

Point to one side of the room as you call out each situation. Youth must go to the side which is MORE frightening to them.

A room full of spiders – or full of snakes
Stand on the edge of a cliff – or crawl through a dark narrow cave
Flying in a plane – or Crossing a bridge
Dogs – or Cats
Swimming in the Ocean – or taking the Elevator / escalator
Getting an injection – or going to the dentist
A white mouse – or blue cheese
Speaking in Public – or People speaking behind your back
Thunder and Lightning – or a completely dark night
Germs – or hospitals
Brussel Sprouts – Liver and onions
In a room with a wasp buzzing around – or eat a chocolate-covered ant.
Roller skate – or ice skate
Walk through a cemetery in the middle of the night – or ask someone for a date for the first time.
Take a difficult test – Witness to someone at school

TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL

Tell us about a time when you were the most afraid you have ever been?
What happened? What was the end of the story?

MAKE IT SPIRITUAL

But what does the Bible Say about Fear?

I’ve been told there are 365 “Fear Nots” in the Bible – one for each day of the year. Regardless of how many there are, it is obviously something that is common to all of us. That’s why God mentions it so often.

Here are some Bible verses about fear. What lessons can we learn from them?

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10

“For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”
Isaiah 41:13

“For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.'”
Romans 8:15

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
Psalm 23:4

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?'”
Hebrews 13:5-6

“The LORD is my light and my salvation– whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life– of whom shall I be afraid?”
Psalm 27:1

“The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”
Psalm 118:6

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6

“When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?”
Psalm 56:3-4

“I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.”
Psalm 34:4

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:6-7

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28

What do you do when your fears seem to be stronger than your faith?
Have you ever allowed fear to stop you from doing something?
Are there any areas in your life that are being limited because of fear?

“I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears”
Psalm 34:4

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7

“Be still and know that I am God”
Psalm 46:10

“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”
Psalms 56:3

“Praise the LORD. Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands. He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes’
Psalm 112:1, 7-8

MAKE IT PRACTICAL

What understandings about fear do you get from these verses?
How can you deal with fear based on what you have learned?

MAKE IT PERSONAL

Have you ever been afraid to do something that God would want you do? Explain.
How can you live life more courageously for God, know what you have learned about fear?
How can you put these verses into practice?

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Creative Holiday Ideas
Games and Activities in Celebration of common Holidays.

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Object Lessons

Trick or Treat? – Sharing the Gift of Salvation

October 15, 2013 kensapp Leave a comment

This youth activity uses Halloween candy as a discussion starter for the topic of evangelism. The Gospel is often called the “Good News” and it is something we should be excited about sharing with others. But like the popular Halloween phrase “Trick or Treat?” we sometimes wonder if evangelism is a trick or a treat? Is it something that frightens us, that we are tricked into doing, or are so excited about the Good News that we can’t help but share it with others.

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What you need

A bag of candy (As Halloween is just around the corner, you can easily get a variety of candy in individually wrapped snack sizes.)
a Bible

What to do

Play some games with the youth as an icebreaker, preferably sitting in a circle.
Once you have played a few rounds of a popular icebreaker game, simply reward one of the youth with a big bag of candy, preferable one of those who did not win any of the games. Describe and show the contents of the bag of candy to the youth and then simply reward it to one of them.
If youth ask why the particular youth got the candy, simply explain that it is yours and you just wanted to give it to someone – not because of anything they did, but simply because of who you are – a good person.
After you have given the candy to one of the youth, join the circle and stare expectantly at the person with the candy with your hand held out to receive a piece. Without saying anything, encourage other youth to also stare in expectation to get some candy.
When the youth offers to share the candy, affirm them and thank them. (If the youth never offers to share, tell them that now is the time to share the candy, as if it was planned and they had forgotten.)
Once everyone has some candy, debrief.

TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL

Debrief

To the Youth receiving the candy

How did it feel to be given the big bag of candy, even though you were not a winner in any of the games?
How did it feel when everyone stared at you expecting you to share the candy?
What made you decide to share?

To the Rest of the Youth

What were you hoping would happen when you saw the big bag of candy?
How did it feel to see someone else get something good when you received nothing?
Once the candy was given to someone else, what did you then hope for?
How would you have felt if the candy had not been shared?

MAKE IT SPIRITUAL

Read Acts 4:18-20

How was Peter and John’s sharing Jesus similar to (person’s name) sharing the candy with the rest of the youth?
What was Peter and John’s motivation for sharing?
How is salvation a gift? (Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-10)
How is does the experience with the candy, relate to us receiving the sweet gift of salvation?
How would keeping the candy to yourself be like not sharing Jesus with others?
How is the Gospel Sweet? Why does the popular hymn begin with “Amazing Grace how sweet the sound?”

One of the definitions of GRACE is

God’s
Riches
At
Christ’s
Expense

Jesus left the glory of heaven and suffererd through the agony of Calvary, dying on a cross to pay the penalty of sin in our place, so that God could give us the gift of eternal life. It is not something we deserved, but an undeserved gift. When we put our trust in him, we accept the gift and he calls us to share the same opportunity with others.

MAKE IT PRACTICAL

What are some of the gifts we receive as a child of God?
How can we share those gifts with others?
What is the greatest gift you could give to someone?
How can we share the gift of salvation with others in words?
How can we share the gift of salvation with others in actions?
Why do we need to share in both words and actions? (Romans 15:18)

MAKE IT PERSONAL

What is your favorite thing to talk about (share) with others?
Why do we find it easy to talk about things that we love, but difficult to talk about the Saviour we love?
What is something that you can do this week to share the gift of salvation both in words and action?

Additional Scriptures

Acts 4:18-20
“Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, ‘Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.'”

2 Corinthians 2:14-17 (NASB)
“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things? For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God.”

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Ephesians 2:8-10
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith•and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Matthew 5:16
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

1 Peter 2:12
“Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”

Romans 15:18
“For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience•by word and deed,”

MORE IDEAS? See “Creative Object Lessons”

200 page e-book that explains everything you need to know when planning your very own object lessons. It contains 90 fully developed object lesson ideas and another 200 object lesson starter ideas based on Biblical idioms and Names / Descriptions of God.

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Object Lessons

The Helmet of Salvation

October 8, 2013 kensapp Leave a comment

Today, helmets are more commonly associated with sports and motorbikes, but in the New Testament period they were primarily known as a critical piece of a soldier’s armor. The helmet protected the soldier’s head in battle. In Ephesians 6 when Paul talks about spiritual battle he mentions the helmet of salvation as a piece of our spiritual equipment. While a breastplate protects the heart, a helmet protects our brain, our thinking. The following activities and object lesson serve as a look at the helmet of Salvation and its meaning for youth today.

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What you need

Collect a variety of helmets:

Cycling Helmet
Motorcycle Helmet
Batting Helmet
Cricket Helmet
Climbing Helmet
Hard Hat
Fireman’s Helmet
Skateboarding Helmet
Hockey Goalie Helmet

If helmets are difficult to come by or you need bigger numbers, you can also add a collection of hats in addition to at least one real helmet. Around Halloween it is also quite easy to find a variety of interesting hats like those for a fireman, policeman, etc.

baseball hat
chef’s hat (toque)
winter hat
cowboy hat
birthday hat
sombrero
straw hat

You can also make paper hats from a sheet of newspaper. Simple instructions can be found here.

When I was young we used KFC Chicken Buckets as hats.

Icebreaker Games with Hats

Musical Hats

Similar in concept to musical chairs, place the youth in a circle and give them all hats except one. The person without a hat removes the hat from the person immediately in front of him/her in the circle and places it on his/her head. When your hat is removed you grab the next one. The game continues until the music stops and the person without a hat is removed from the game. Remove one hat from play, shrink the circle and keep playing until there are only a few winners left.

Alternatively, everyone except one is given a hat to wear. Play some upbeat music and when the music stops, everyone tosses their hats in the air and quickly grabs a new one and places it on their heads. The last youth to get a hat is removed from game and play continues until there is only one youth left.

Hat Towers

Place a large pile of hats in the center of the room. Divide into 2 or more teams. The teams choose one member and try to place as many hats on the person’s head as possible. The youth with the most hats on their head after a set period of time wins the game for his or her team.

An Object Lesson with a Helmet

Get two small pumpkins, that can be strapped inside a bicycle or motorcycle helmet. (Small watermelons or cantaloupes also will work.)
Set up a tall ladder on a hard surface covered with a tarp.
Have the youth use permanent markers to draw faces on the pumpkins and give them names.
Use the chin strap to secure one pumpkin inside the helmet. Leave the other one without any protection.
Climb the ladder and talk read the armor of God from Ephesians 6:10-17.
When you finish it drop both pumpkins at the same time.
If your ladder is tall enough one will be smashed and the other will be fine.
Then ask the youth explain how this relates to the “Helmet of Salvation”

TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL

Debrief

What happened?
Why?
What can we learn from this?
What are some activities that need helmets? Why?
What are some of the characteristics of helmets?
What does a helmet do?
What purpose did helmets serve in the Roman army?

Here are some common answer to characteristics of hats:

Different Hats have different purposes.
Protects head
Keeps hair out of the food
Identifies your team
Shade your eyes
Keeps your head warm
Some hats are ceremonial

Key point: A soldier’s helmet protected his head and gave him confidence that he was safe from the enemy’s attack.

MAKE IT SPIRITUAL

How is our hope of salvation like a helmet?
In what way does salvation protect our mind? Our thoughts?
How does salvation protect our thoughts?
1 Thessalonians 5:8-11 is similar to Ephesians 6. How does it give more meaning to the helmet?

MAKE IT PRACTICAL

How is our hope of salvation a protection against, doubts, discouragements, despair, bad thoughts, and temptations?
How does the hope of salvation give us courage in our daily living?

MAKE IT PERSONAL

Have you put on salvation? If not, now is the time.
What are some of your personal doubts, discouragements, despair, bad thoughts, and temptation for which you need protection? Which one is biggest in your mind right now?
How can the hope of salvation give you courage to face these with confidence?
What will you do different this week, because of the hope of salvation?

Additional Scriptures

1 Thessalonians 5:8-11
“But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.”

Ephesians 6:10-17
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devils schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Romans 8:37-39
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Isaiah 12:2
“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.”

1 Peter 1:3-4
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you,”

Isaiah 59:17
“He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head;
he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak.”

Philippians 4:7
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

2 Corinthians 10:5
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

MORE IDEAS? See “Creative Object Lessons”

Learn More…

Icebreakers Ahead: Take It To the Next Level

This 170 page resource not only provides 52 of the world’s most popular group icebreaker activities and games, but also includes lesson ideas and discussion questions to smoothly transition into conversations about the issues common to most groups.

Click here to find out how to get your hands on this incredible resource!

Teaching Illustrations

Scarred Arms

October 10, 2011 kensapp Leave a comment

Every night, the young mother rocked her young 3 year old daughter to sleep and each night the same conversation took place between mother and daughter.

The young mother would first tell a story, then say a prayer for her daughter, and finally hum a lulaby.

The daughter would then respond by touching her mother’s soft hair and saying, “Mommy, your hair is so pretty. I love your hair.”

She would stroke her mother’s cheek and say, “Mommy, your face is so pretty. I love your face”

Finally, the little girl would point at her mother’s arms and say, “But Mommy, your arms are ugly. I don’t love your arms.”

This bedtime ritual went on night after night. Then one evening, after the little girl had once again told her mother that she did not love her arms, the mother decided it was time to tell her daughter the story of her scarred arms.

The mother gently explained, “When you were a baby, there was a fire in the nursery. You were trapped in your crib and would have surely burned to death. But I heard you crying, ran into the room, and had to reach through the flames in order to save you from the fire. The fire burned mommy’s arms very badly and that is why my arms are so ugly.”

The child thoughtfully nodded. A couple minutes passed. The mother assumed that her daughter was probably too young to understand.

Then the little girl began her nightly ritual and began by touching her mother’s soft hair.
“Mommy, your hair is so pretty. I love your hair.”

As usual, she stroked her mother’s cheek and said, “Mommy, your face is so pretty. I love your face”

Then, for the first time in the little girl’s life, she reached down and began to gently caress her mother’s arms and said, “Mommy, your arms are prettiest of all. I really love your arms.”

Jesus is just like that mother with disfigured arms.

He has reached through the fires of hell to rescue you from the crib of death.

His scarred arms are beautiful because they reveal how much he loves you and what it cost him to save you from the flames.

MORE IDEAS? See “Creative Object Lessons”

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Youth Ministry

Face Painting Tips for Halloween or Carnival Events

October 29, 2010 kensapp Leave a comment

Face Painting as a Hobby or Fundraising Activity

Face painting can liven up any children’s event and add an element of fun and humor to it; not to mention aesthetic appeal. While a lot of people enjoy the art form as a hobby; others have taken it up as a profession or as a fundraiser, with ten hours spent painting gleeful faces in a variety of colors at halloween or fall festival carnivals, birthday parties for children and youth. Regardless of whether you want to try out your face panting skills at the children’s events you host at home or have turned the art form into a money making fundraiser; here are some valuable tips on face painting that will come in handy. Also included are some safety considerations, information on how to find designs that will find favor with children, paint applying tactics and more.

Face Painting tips: Where can you get the supplies?

If you are a pro at face painting, you may already know the best stores to go to in order to stock up on your face-painting supplies. However, if you have just ventured into the colorful world of this art form; the best place to find the materials you need is a local hobby shop. Try to get your face painting box ready with items such as brushes (soft and of different thickness and width); regular paint brushes should work fine here, sponges, paints and glitter.

Face painting designs for children

If you are a novice face painter, start with simple designs; what can be easier than balloons and flowers? Besides the hypo allergenic paint that is used to create the designs and the twinkiling eyes and excited smile on your canvas; there isn’t a lot of difference between face painting and regular ‘on paper’ painting. As a matter of fact, if you have always been dexterous with a painting brush, you should have no trouble mastering the art of face painting.

Face Painting Balloons
When trying to paint a balloon, you simply have to follow the natural contour of the child’s face to make an oval shape with a paint brush. Next, use a sponge to fill in the desired color; anything from blue to pink and even neon shades go well here. You can also add polka dots or any other design with a thin paint brush. Just remember to be careful when applying the paint around the child’s eyes.

Face Painting Flowers
The next theme to try out would be a colorful bouquet of flowers; for this design, you will need at least 3 to 4 colors for the flowers; use red, pink, white and even purple. Then, you will also have to apply a lot of green for the leaves. Start by making the flowers; try to get a few on the child’s cheeks; at least one on the nose and 2 or 3 on the child’s forehead. Use a fine paint brush for the dark outline of the flowers and fill color in the petals with a sponge or even with a thick brush. Use a brush dipped in green paint for the leaves; apply some pressure to create longer or shorter leaves as desired.

Face Painting Other Designs
Other popular face painting designs for children include a butterfly; tiger, lion, Dalmatian, pirate etc. There are several online resources that have in depth information on how to create these face-painting designs. Also, you don’t have to master all of them; just practice two or three good ones and make them in a variety of colors. For instance, a tiger can be painted in the characteristic yellow and orange or you could get experimental and go for a blue, red or even a pink tiger; children absolutely adore these..

Face Painting Tips

Choose the right Paint
Paints are available in both tubs as well as stick forms; if you have just started experimenting with face painting, you should use stick paints while tub colors are suitable for professionals. Either way, it is essential to remember that these paints are quite expensive, so store them properly once you are done and don’t let children get their hands on them.

Use your sponges
Sponges work better when you need to apply a base coat of paint to a child’s face or even when you have to cover a large area of the face with color. They are easy to use and quick. Always use different sponges for the different colors so that you do not waste time trying to wash out the color from a sponge.

Patience
This is the key word when trying to master face painting; when working with two colors, always wait for the first layer of paint to dry before applying the second coat. If you hurry through this phase, the colors will mix, creating a mess and you will need to wipe off the paint and start over. Also, always remember to use a thin layer of paint, go for two coats if necessary.

Have a clear idea about the design
Visualize the picture or design that you are trying to create as you apply layer after layer of paint to the child’s face. You should know exactly what you are trying to create; as a matter of fact, it is always a good idea to keep a picture on your desk. Trying to make things up as you go along simply isn’t going to work in this case.

Use stencils
If you are not good at freehand drawing, you can easily use stencils to create fantastic designs without a lot of effort. These are particularly handy when painting the faces of a lot of eager children.

Go for special effects
The paint used will usually also work as a basic glue to create bumps on the child’s nose or even big, thick eyebrows. Just soaks some cotton wool in the paint and place on the faces of the children, cover this with some tissue and paint as normal. Wheat and puffed rice can be used to make warts, use the same technique and add a dusting of flour for a ghostly effect.

Safety tips when face painting children

Always use hypo allergenic and non toxic paint: Only use paints that have been certified for usage on the skin; just because hobby paints come with the term ‘non-toxic’ on their packaging does not make them safe for face painting.
Only use cosmetic glitter on the face.
Do not paint the faces of children who suffer from rashes or other skin conditions that may be contagious or which may get aggravated due to the paint.
Use a skin friendly, antiseptic and antibacterial soap for cleaning the brushes and the sponges after use
Wash your hands before applying paint

Taking face paint off a child’s face

Most paints used on skin are water soluble and you will just need to wash the children’s faces with some soap and water to clean them. If glitter has been used or if you have a thick coat of paint, you may want to consider using simple olive oil to dissolve the paint before washing it off. Alternatively, you could also use a soft cloth soaked in luke warm water to gently wipe off the paint. Remember to never scrub a child’s face as this may cause redness and rashes.

With these tips, face-painting can be an enjoyable addition to many different holiday events and carnivals. It’s also a great fundraising activity for youth groups.

Holiday Collection
Games and Activities in Celebration of common Holidays.

Creative Holiday Ideas has over 300 pages of ideas to help you plan your next Halloween event or Fall Festival Celebration. If you’ve ever wondered what you’re going to do for some of the common holidays and how you’re going to do it, this resource is for you.

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Youth Ministry

Planning Ideas for a Youth – Children’s Carnival as an alternative to Halloween Trick or Treat

October 11, 2010 kensapp Leave a comment

Why Plan a Children’s Carnival instead of the Traditional Halloween Trick-or-Treat?
As the holiday of Halloween rolls around, many schools, churches and children’s organizations start planning their SAFE alternative options to the traditional “trick or treating” activity. This allows more control over what kids receive and also to avoid some of those members of society that might place unwanted items in candy or treats. It’s also a lot safer than having kids roam the neighborhoods. Some places throw a holiday dance or get together where others opt for such things as a youth and children’s carnival. This is a great way to show children a different way to celebrate and stay safe for the Halloween holiday or simply provide an alternative if you are opposed to the celebrations of halloween in the first place.

Tips for Planning Your Halloween Carnival or Harvest Festival Event.
If you are planning such a Halloween carnival or fall festival, you will want to plan a wide variety of games and activities to have at your children’s carnival that will keep the kids entertained. Below are some of the most popular types of activity booths and games for this type of carnival celebration. It is best to have a variety of choices for kids of all ages so that they will have plenty to choose from. When you plan your carnival, think about both boys and girls and what they like to do. Include activities that are good for younger children, activities that are for older children and activities that might even be fun for their parents as well.

Carnival Games:

Baseball Strike Zone
This is a game that can be adjusted for all ages. Strike zone games are generally set up for older kids but you can adapt it for the little ones. You can make a ball throwing game (It doesn’t have to be baseballs) that stands up on its own using a cardboard box. You can often get large boxes from appliance and furniture stores. Simply cut holes in the cardboard and paint it to match your Halloween event theme. You can create a carved pumpkin image with a mouth and eyes as the strike zones, a full moon with different size craters, smiley faces, flowers and many other designs. The objective is to have the children throw the balls into the various holes. You can vary the size of the holes and the point awarded for each successful throw. Make your prize selection based on the amount of points the child gets with a total of 3 to 5 balls.
Fishing Games
This is something that is great for the little ones. You can do this with a large tub of water and some play fishing poles. You can get about 15 to 20 floating ducks or boats at a dollar store and paint a mark on the bottom of some of them. To make the game really simple, you can attach magnets to both the floating toys and the end of the fishing poles so that the children simply have to get the fishing pole string into the water and they will always pull up something. Those who pull up a toy with a mark on it are the winners.
Golfing Area
There are many discount stores that sell play golf sets. You can get a few of these and set up a mini golf course which is great fun for all ages. You can also have a putting area where golfers can test their luck at getting a hole in one. You can make the prizes based on where the person is standing when they get the ball in the hole.

Activity Booths
There are many activity booths for your carnival that you can make out of everyday items such as bottles, cans and fishbowls:

Set up cans in a row and give your players balls to throw at the cans to knock them over. Fill them with sand as full cans are more difficult to knock over than empty ones.Set up plastic bottles like bowling pins and use a small ball to let your players see how many “pins” they can knock over with one try. Again, bottles filled with water or sand will be more difficult to knock over. Base your prizes on the number of cans or bottles knocked over.
Use small fish bowls as a game by filling them each with a fish and water. Put paper plates on top of the fishbowls with a bull’s-eye drawn on them and et the players toss coins onto the plates to try to win a fish. You can also use small balls and let the players try to throw a ball into a bowl to win a fish.
Use bottles and small rope rings as another game. Toss the ring over the bottle to win prizes.
Place a slip of paper inside a balloons with a prize written on it then let the older children toss darts and try to pop a balloon to get the prize written on the slip of paper inside.

Unlimited possibilities for your Halloween / Fall Carnival
These are just a few examples of the large number of different types of games and activity booths that you can plan for your carnival; you just need to be creative. You will find that if you plan right, your carnival will be a huge success. Just remember to have games that are good for all ages as well as games set for certain ages. Spread things out as well so it makes the carnival seem that much bigger. Add in some food booths and drinks and you have got the makings for a great carnival that is not only fun but also safe for all the participants.

Looking for More Ideas for Halloween? Check out these other possibilities from the Creative Youth Ideas Website:

Halloween Bible Studies or Sermons
Some scripture passages that might make good Halloween Bible Study or sermon topics

Bobbing for Apples
Halloween Party Game: Bobbing for apples is a common Halloween tradition in which youth try to take a bite out of an apple floating in a tub of water.

The Mask I Wear
This Halloween mask related study encourages youth to take a look at the masks we wear everyday, not just on Halloween and to expose what is underneath to God so that he can transform us so that we reveal his glory! Makes a great study for a Halloween or fall festival event.

Halloween Bowling Party
Thinking of a youth bowling party? Here’s a way to have fun while making it less dependent on skill. Great youth idea for Halloween as well!

Halloween Party or Fall Festival
Make your harvest Festival (alternative to a Halloween Party) a harvest of souls into the Kingdom of God!

Sleepy Hollow
While you may not lose your head playing this game, the head to head play is wild and fun!

Harvest Festival Games
Two games you can use at your next harvest festival or Halloween alternative event.

Pumpkin Picasso
How well can you draw the Halloween Jack-o-Lantern? What roles do a clear vision and clear instructions play in accomplishing our goals and objectives in life?

Candy Toss
Just for fun. Toss the candy into a Halloween Jack-o-lantern pumpkin and if it lands inside, you get to keep it!

Pumpkin Patch Relay
In this relay, participants will try to replace the missing pieces that have been removed from their team’s pumpkin. It can be used as party game for your October 31st Halloween alternative, for a harvest festival, or a Halloween carnival.

The Mummy
Use this game about a mummy as part of Halloween Alternative or as an introduction to the story of Lazarus.

Skeleton Race
Even if you don’t want to be involved with Halloween, you’ll want to grab at least one of those plastic or paper Halloween skeletons for this object lesson / game.

Jack-O-Lantern
Use the legend of the Jack-o-lantern to share the gospel.

A Halloween Message
A possible salvation message for a fall festival or event to replace Halloween.

Fall or Harvest Festival?
Do you have a fall festival?

Halloween Alternatives for Christians?
Looking for Halloween Alternatives? Check these out! You’ll find games and activities, many of which have an evangelistic message.

Firsts and Lasts
Our lives are often defined by the firsts and lasts which affect everything in between. What are your spiritual firsts and Lasts which define your spiritual life?

Hollywood Squares Game
This game, based on the television show “Hollywood Squares” makes a great review activity after a lesson series has been taught! You can also use it with trivia questions and modern events as a fun activity for a game night or outreach activity!

Cupcake Faith
Use this creative object lesson as a surprising illustration to kids that God looks at our heart, not our appearances. It can be used on any occasion or as a children’s sermon, but with a reference to tombs, and masks it also serves as a fun lesson for an alternative to Halloween.

Strategies to Confuse Trick or Treaters
Halloween humor

Candy
Youth will take part in a learning simulation experiencing what it is like when gifts are not appropriately utilized as a blessing to all members of the body of Christ. Makes a great activity for a Halloween Alternative or for a creative Bible Study lesson.

Pumpkin Puzzles
Youth will cut up pumpkins and then try to put a cut up pumpkin back together again. The game can be used as an object lesson illustrating God’s restoration of our lives.

A Christian Response to Halloween?
Can and should Christians provide alternatives to Halloween with the purpose of reaching youths for Christ?

Trick or Treat Relay Game
As a Halloween alternative, use this messy game based upon the common Halloween chant : “Trick-or-treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat” to teach youth about the tricks of the evil one.

Pumpkin Prayer
Object Lesson on Prayer using a pumpkin

Peter Pumpkin
Has your light gone out because of sin in your life?

Perky the Orange Pumpkin
Lesson on self-identity using a children’s story about a colorful pumpkin

Jack O’ Lantern
Create a Halloween lantern with stars for eyes, the Christian fish symbol for a mouth, and a cross for its nose. Then pass out a poem to spread the gospel message.

Pumpkin Seed Toss
Use this game as a discussion about the power of our words, or about how we choose goals in life.

Pass the Brains
Play “pass the parcel” with a pumpkin

Like A Halloween Pumpkin
Use a pumpkin to share the gospel.

Masks
What are the masks we wear?

Fear Factors
Discuss dealing with fears as a halloween alternative.

Noah’s Ark Party
Redeem Halloween with a Noah’s Ark Party and discuss the promises of God.

Candy Relay
Redeem Halloween by using this “Trick or Treat” Candy game to share the gospel

Pumpkin Bowling
Use vegetables for a wild bowling variation.

The Pumpkin
Life as a pumpkin!

Holiday Collection

Games and Activities in Celebration of common Holidays.

Creative Holiday Ideas has over 300 pages of ideas to help you plan your next Halloween event or Fall Festival, as well as a variety of other familiar holidays. If you’ve ever wondered what you’re going to do for all the minor, but common holidays and how you’re going to do it, this resource is for you.

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Creative Youth ideas: 1700+ Resources for youth leaders, pastors, ministers to help plan camps, retreats, and meetings using games, illustrations, Children's Worship, Bible Studies, object lessons, sermons, creative ideas,creative activities