Flame: Creative Children's Ministry

This activity came about by accident when I was helping to run activities for under 5s at a church camping weekend.  A friend had made some Moon Sand and children had proceded to mix loom bands in with it.  Searching for the hidden loom bands became a great game and the added bonus of sensory play was brilliant! Use this for exploring the 'searching' element of the Lost Sheep or Lost Coin stories. You will need: 8 cups of flour and 1 cup of baby oil (or vegetable oil will also work- see here for a recipe ), loom bands, a tray with sides to keep the Moon Sand in. Mix the oil and flour thoroughly.  You will end up with something resembling shortbread mixture, dry but forming clumps when you press it together.  It will easily crumble back when you have finished pressing it! Hide the loom bands in the mixture and then encourage the children to find them.  You might want to turn it into a game and see who can find the most.  It will get a bit messy ...

Today our 3-5s learned the story of the lost coin!  Thanks to Kylé for putting this lesson together. After hearing the story, here are some of the things they did...  Coin headbands (silver card coins stapled to ribbon) Prayer activity- find silver card coins around the room, then draw a picture of yourself on the reverse of the coin.  Speak about how Jesus looks for people who are far away from God and is so excited when they get to know God better (just like the woman is when she finds her coin!)  Everyone then shouts 'thank you' to Jesus!  Lost coin bottle (coins hidden in rice and pasta mix).  Shake to find!  Role play items: brush, torches, lights, coins  a collection of coins with pots and tins to hide them in! Take home activity: Laminated pictures (one of which has a coin next to it), painted over with silver paint.  Children scratch off the paint to find the picture with the coin.