Helpful Websites for Children and Youth activity ideas
ideas.brf.org.uk — Bringing the Bible to life for children and families – packed with free ideas for under 5’s to 16+ and all age.
www.kidzmatter.com — Subscribe to mailing list to receive free curriculum online kids church resources, including a free Kids church web steam and much more. New kids church lessons are uploaded each week, catering for young children through to teenage years. Supporting you and children in these challenging times.
www.youthideas.co.uk — Talking and discussing ideas, activity ideas, games and ‘Youth Ideas Blog’.
www.funandgames.org — Where you can find games, resources and activities for children, youth and adults!
www.religiouscrafts.co.uk — Shop online for craft supplies and resources.
content.scriptureunion.org.uk/light-free-resources — Biblical resources catering for under 5’s to 16+ age range. Subscription necessary. Resources for sale. Some free resources are available.
www.handinhandconference.com/resources — Grace-based, biblical help for the Christian family.
www.rootsontheweb.com — E-bulletins available for “This week at home” Stories, creative craft ideas, songs and prayer catering for very young children, young people, and all ages.
www.activityvillage.co.uk — Christian based themes and much more. Thousands of colouring pages, kids crafts, educational resources, printable material, and worksheets. Some resources can be accessed free of charge, others can only be accessed by subscription. Suitable for age range under 5’s to 11 years +.
www.jesus-without-language.net — Jesus without language (many free resources available, or for a donation).
www.lostsheep.com.au — Lost Sheep (PowerPoint of stories can be bought as downloads, some free material available).
www.mylittlehouse.org — My Little House (A mixture of colouring pages, Bible comics, 3d pictures etc to make. Many are free, some you pay for).
www.pinterest.co.uk — For general craft or Bible activities for children, go to Pinterest and search (e.g. ‘Holy week activities for kids’). Many are free, but it depends on the individual resource. A great place for ideas.
Example: www.pinterest.co.uk/search/pins/?q=holy%20week%20crafts%20for%20kids
The Diocese has also put together the following helpful page on Worship at home ideas for children and families, with ideas and resources to help you share your faith with your family at home.
Recipe for Gloop
You will need:
- 2 cups of cornflour
- 1 cup of water
- Food Colouring (optional)
- A large container or bowl
Mix the water into the cornflour and colouring. It will take some time to mix together but encourage your child to play with the gloop before it is mixed. What does it feel like?
Solid or Liquid: Cornflour is made of lots of long, stringy particles. When water is added they do not dissolve in water, but they do spread themselves out. This allows the gloop to act both like a solid and a liquid. When you roll the mixture in your hands or apply pressure to it, the particles join together, and the mixture feels solid. But if it is left to rest or is held up and allowed to dribble, the particles slide over each other and it feels like a liquid.
Get messy and have fun!!
Recipe for Play Dough
You will need:
- A large bowl and a spoon
- 2 cups of flour
- 1 cup of salt
- 1 cup of hot water
- 1 tablespoon of cooking oil
What to do:
- Pour the flour, salt and water into a bowl
- Add the cooking oil (this is optional but helps keep the dough from hardening)
- You can add a few drops of food colouring/scent, spices, seeds or sequins to the mixture to make the dough more interesting.
- Start off by mixing all the ingredients together with a wooden spoon. Once the mixture starts to thicken use your hands to gather the dough into a ball then knead the dough until it is soft and smooth. If the dough is too runny or sticky just keep adding flour.
Use the play dough on a firm service such as at a table or on a tray. Tools such as plastic cutters, plastic knives, forks and spoons, or rolling pins can all be used to help make patterns, shapes and models out of the dough.
The play dough should keep for a week or more in a sealed plastic bag or container.