Leader Guide
Optional Opening Game
- Beach ball or soft foam ball
- Thankful Page
Note: If time is short, skip this activity or save it for the end of class.
Have children sit in two rows.
The two rows face each other about 8–10 feet apart (adjust as desired).
Each child in the same row sits at arm’s length from the child on either side.
Give the ball to Player 1 (at the end of a row). Ask the child to name a person whom he/she is thankful for. The child responds and rolls the ball to the child directly across in the other row.
Repeat for the second child. That child responds and rolls the ball to the next child in the opposite row.
Continue in this fashion until all the children have named a person they are thankful for.
Name a food to begin the second round with the last child who caught the ball.
Repeat back and forth for each category listed on the Thankful Page or as long as time allows.
Optional Play: Change the category for each child (person, food, place, etc.) and play as above.
Optional: To end the game, stand behind each child and ask him/her to name one or more things they are thankful for.
Wow. You are thankful for a lot of things! And, as you grow older, you will discover more and more things to thank God for! God loves when you discover something new that He has created or done for you. Thanks is the will of God, so never stop giving thanks!
As God’s children, we have a lot to be thankful for! God made us and gave us life. He also made the earth to give us everything we need.