We know 9 Square in the Air usually gets set up for youth events or church picnics. But what if you made the most of the game with a special Advent series, full of Christmas-themed children’s church activities?
As a gift to you this season, 9 Square in the Air is doing your lesson planning! Take a look at a these children’s church activities that highlight the birth of Jesus:
The Gift of Giving
This is surrounding the theme of the gifts of the Magi. Talk about the gifts the Magi brought to Jesus, the symbolism behind them and the connection to gift-giving during the holidays.
Discussion Questions:
- What kinds of gifts do you like to receive at Christmas?
- What problems do we run into by focusing on gifts, rather than on Jesus at Christmastime?
- What are some gifts that you could give that would not cost anything?
Activities:
- In large letters, print the words Frankincense, Myrrh and Gold, plus Magi, Stable and East on construction paper, using one giant letter on each paper. Tape each word, scrambled, up on a white board and have one child unscramble a word while the other kids coach him with shouts and cheers.
- Play 9 Square in the Air. Every time a person gets “out,” they share an idea for how to give at Christmas, such as volunteering or helping a neighbor wrap gifts.
Caroling Competition
Talk about some of the most popular Christmas carols and the stories behind them. Print a few out for the group to sing together.
Activities:
- Play “Scripture or Carol,” where you place a long piece of tape on the floor. Designate one side of the tap as “Scripture” and one as “Carol,” then read a few commonly-held ideas about Christmas. See if the kids know which ones actually come from scripture.
- Did Mary ride a donkey?
- Was there an innkeeper?
- Were animals present at the birth of Jesus?
- Turn on some Christmas carols. Get your 9 Square in the Air game going, but in addition to hitting it out, the players get “out” when the music stops and they were the last one touching the ball.
Serve and Play
Combine your 9 Square in the Air game with a service project. Make homemade Christmas cards or decorate pre-baked cookies to be delivered to the local nursing home or shelter. Talk with the kids about how Jesus came to serve, not to be served.
Discussion Questions:
- Can anyone share an account they know from the Bible where Jesus was serving others? How is that different from what you would expect of a king?
- Who is someone you could serve today?
Activities:
- If you can manage the logistics, ask families to extend your children’s church activities with a trip to deliver your gifts in person! Sing a carol or two to a nursing home or at a shelter, then enjoy sharing your cookies and homemade cards.
- Return to your church for cocoa and a few rounds of 9 Square in the Air!
We love helping you plan children’s church activities and we hope that 9 Square in the Air provides an easy and exciting way to keep kids engaged in your lessons. Contact us to get your set ordered today!
