Super 13 Challenge! A.O.F Games night

For an Article of Faith Review night we are holding a SUPER 13 CHALLENGE night.

Objectives: Review article of Faith, review key words, A.o F order, recognition, memorization.

We will break into two teams:

Challenge One: POST IT NOTE SHUFFLE

Select an A.O.F and write parts of A.OF on Post it notes.  (Two sets, one for each team) 

Set up two tables.  On each table stick post it notes in random order. 

To play: Each team sends one player to table...they have 20 seconds to put as many notes in order, once time is up the next player goes up to do as many as they can and so forth until whole A.O.F is in order.  First team to complete A.O.F wins point.   Play with 2nd A.O.F if time allows.

Challenge 2: BALLOON STRAW RACE

Team Relay

Each team player takes turns blowing balloon with straw to end - Collect one puzzle piece to take back to team - Each player does the same until or pieces are collected - once all pieces are collected team puts the puzzle together to reveal A.O.F -  First team wins

Challenge 3: PING PONG MATCH

Line numbers one to 13 on back wall.  Teams sit along other wall.  Between wall and teams set up a bucket for each team.  Each bucket has 13 ping pong balls in them (each ball has a key word on it - each teams written in different colours)

To Play: Each team sends a member to the table - takes one ball - if they know which A.O.F number it is they can run to number as place ball under it, if they need help they must run back to their team for help, then run back to numbers.  First team to match all 13 wins. 

Challenge 4: CUP STACK

Set up a table for each team -  Each table needs one stack of 13 cups - each cup has an A.o F key word written on them. 

To play:  Each team sends one member up to table.  They have 20 seconds to place as many cups in order as they can, - when time is up the next player goes up to table and tries to complete - each player having a turn until its done.  First team done wins. 

Challenge 5: BALLOON POP

Place a copy of each A.O.F on wall - one set for each team.  

Each team needs a set of balloons (differnt colour for each team) In each balloon put one number (1-13)

To Play: each team sends a member to pop a balloon of their team colour - they must match the number to the A.O.F.  If they need help they can run back to team to ask first.  First team to have a full matching set wins point. 

Challenge 6:   Whole group PASS THE PARCEL

Create Pass the Parcel by wrapping one group prize in layers of paper - in each layer put number 1-13, and a small treat.   

To play:  Have kids sit in circle.  Play music.  While music plays the parcel gets passed around circle.  When music stops whomever is holding parcel opens one layer.  The whole group then recites the number A.O F in the layer and the person gets the treat.  Play again and again until each layer has been opened. Last Opening - the treat gets shared (bag of lollipops)

If time allows :  Have teams practice the A.O.F Rap  and perform to each other.

found here at ladycreate-a-lot.blogspot.com

Emergency Prep activity

This month in our ward we are focusing on Emergency Preparedness, including holding an emergency simulation camp where all families have been encouraged to prepare 72 hour kits and then attend the camp to practice its use.   To help the kids be a little more prepared we invited one of Emergency Prep specialists to bring along a few tents and teach the kids important things to remember when building their tents - he included looking after the gear.  The kids in teams then put up their tents.   We used the stage in the cultural hall because we were able to change the lighting using spotlights to simulate the sun going down as we put up tents.  We also then started packing our tents in the dark (as close to dark as we could while still being safe).  The kids worked great together and had a lot of problem solving to do in their groups.
We then tried an experiment of boiling water in a plastic bag over a camp cooker.
The take home for the night were some game packs for each of the kids to put in their own 72 hour kits.  Each game kit included:
- Printable games like battle ship, checkers board, hangman, snakes and ladders - all printed on two laminated sheets.
- 1 dice
- counters - enough for checkers (we used buttons in two different colours)
- mini pick up sticks (we used coloured craft match sticks)
-whiteboard marker

It was a fun way to talk about Emergency preparedness and  also give some practical experience.  It was also a great team building exercise.

Easter Story Eggs and hot cross buns

This week we made "cheat" Hot cross buns and created a FHE lesson the kids could share with their families for Easter.  
For their FHE lesson we used this video as inspiration - I loved the revolving hearts in this tutorial, and decided to use Easter Eggs instead of the hearts to tell the story of how the colours of Easter Eggs can remind us of Jesus Christ.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNUtoW3pW6k
Our Egg cards turned out pretty cute and as the eggs revolve the next scripture to read is revealed

We used a slightly revised script for the FHE lesson based on this cute lesson for Easter.  Each child has their script and their visual aide to share with their family this Easter.  http://www.creativebiblestudy.com/Easter-eggs-object-lesson.html

We also made Hot Cross Buns or a cheats version to make it within our Activity time frame - no yeast or rising required and they tasted pretty good.... and the kids loved the hands on element to it.

We used this recipe
http://www.withablast.net/2016/03/no-yeast-hot-cross-buns.html

Pen pals: based on Flat Stanley

A couple of years ago my daughter and I helped a friend with her Flat Stanley project. We created a blog for her flat Stanley adventures here... http://flatsheanz.blogspot.co.nz/2015/04/flat-shea-has-arrived-in-new-zealand.html?m=1 
I would love to do this with my activity day kids. Such a fun way to have a pen pal.

Article of Faith revision game - CUPS

As part of Activity days we will be trying to include an Article of Faith revision component each time we meet together.  This weeks revision activity was a Cup stacking game using key words of the 13 AOF.
NEED:

• 13 Plastic Cups
• One key word from each of the 13 AOF
• Sharpie.
• F.I.G books if the kids need extra help

Simply write one key word on each cup, mix up the order of the cups and instruct the children to try and put the cups in order of the A.O.F they represent. Our kids tried doing as many as they could without help first and then when allowed them to use their books to fill in the blanks. This first time was quite challenging for the kids, but we will use it again in future weeks and test how much easier it becomes as they become more familier with the A.O.F.    We allowed them to work in teams this time but in the future we may try having individuals compete against each other or do timed races.

Faith in God book covers

To protect our Faith in God books we have used DVD covers to use as a case for all our FIG related items.  We are using a "treasure Seekers" theme as a motivator for our children so thats refelcted in the cover. (Each child will colour their own covers to personalize).   Inside the kids can keep their FIG books, handouts, and challenges and our Treasure seeker motivator map. (Reward system for learing AOF, attending FIG activities, completing challenges)

 

Developing talents- Enviro Art Challenge

Last week I had the opportunity to go on a school trip with my daughter where we spent the day in the bush and at the beach Creating art with Nature as our Pallette and our Canvas.  We took inspiration from the beautiful artworks of Andy Goldsworthy Andy Goldsworthy - Nature artist.    The children were all challenged to look at the shapes, colours and textures found in nature and think of ways that they could add to, take away from, change, or enhance what they could see to create something new in that environment.  They were shown Andy Goldworthy example peices to show them that his designs could be very simple or very ellaborate, but all created interest to the viewer.
The children all loved the challenge and came up with some wonderful examples.   Part of this challenge was to photograph their designs, and to think about how light, shadow, composition etc would create interest in recording their artworks  (the photograph being particularly important because thier artworks in nature would eventually dissapear)  

Ive been thinking about how this could be a great activity for Activity Days  to accomplish the challenge in Developing Talents to make an item and display it for others to see.   Im adding it to my calendar for this year for sure.

Here are some examples of the Enviro art the children created.

Its Great to Be 12 PARTY

We had a few children turning 12 in the month that we became Activity day leaders. We decided to throw a fun "its great to be 12" party including Party games that would help revise some of the things we learn up to the age of 12.  It was  fun night for all.

Some of the games we played:
Gospel Charades/ Pictionary : two teams compete against each other to act/sculpt or draw words or themes from AOF or Family Proclamation

I love to see the temple (Version of Pin the tale on the donkey) : Large temple Picture - Pin in a picture of a child ----- aim to pin the child to the door of the temple -" Im going there someday"

AOF Balloon and Picture Match: Balloons Placed on wall numbered 1-13.  Child takes turn at using slappy hand to "grab" a balloon... they then have to match the balloon to the correct picture on the other wall of the matching AOF - We used some LDS clipart pictures for this. (some were pretty tricky) If the child could not match in time limit, the other team had a turn.... whoever matched first got the point.

We handed out goody bags and hooters, decorated with streamers and had a lovely cake decorated for our 12 year olds.

Christmas Story Bracelets

Last Christmas we wanted to help our Faith in God children remember the true meaning of Christmas and provide a way for them to share the story with their families.
I found this cute post on this webpage.... http://adventuresinmommydom.org/christmas-story-bracelet/ and this one http://littlewondersdays.blogspot.co.nz/2011/12/christmas-story-bracelet.html

about Christmas Story Bracelets and decided it would be a lovely way to make a memorable Christmas treasure in our hour and half activity.

The bracelets could be made on Pipe cleaners or on bead wire..I liked the bead wire better because I wanted it to be a treasure, I did purchase more expensive beads, but they could be made with cheaper beads...(the story is just the same)

Here is the story and the link to the original post....  I wish I had pictures of our finished bracelets....they were pretty stunning and the kids loved them. I did suggest to our boys that they could make them into a long bookmark instead of a bracelet, but they were happy to keep them as is.
Story of the beads:  (I printed this out nicely and laminated for the kids to take home)

White bead- An angel appears to Mary.

Blue bead- The angel tells Mary she is going to have a baby boy and to name him Jesus.

Light brown bead (grey would be fine too)- Mary and Joseph rode a donkey to Bethlehem to be taxed.

Dark brown bead- When they arrived in Bethlehem, there was no room in the Inn.  Mary and Joseph had to sleep in the Stable.

Purple bell- baby Jesus is born.  Purple represents royalty and the bell reminds us to tell the Good News.

Clear star bead- A very bright star appears in the sky.

White bead- An angel appears to shepherds keeping watch in the field and tells them Jesus has been born.

2 Clear beads- The shepherds go to see Jesus.

Clear star bead- Wise men see the very bright star and travel to see Jesus.

Gold, Purple, and Red beads- Represent the wise men and their gifts.

BuBbLE bUBbLe tOiL AND tROuBLe! LOTIONS And Potions Night - halloween!

SEE THO BOTTOM OF THE POST FOR HOW THE ACTIVITY TURNED OUT!!!

Because October is Halloween month and I know our ward is planning a more traditional Halloween activity, I thought it might be fun to have a fun experimentation night.
To mark off one of the activities in the developing talents part of the Faith in God Booklet - "Make and item from wood, metal, fabric or OTHER material .......We are going to make our own soaps, lotions and potions!

After the success of cooking activity, I think this one will go down a treat with the kids.

I have found a few great, easy recipes to make soap, lotion, maybe lip gloss, and maybe even homemade laundry powder to take home for the family to try.

I will list the recipes I may use, and add to the blog after to show our results and the recipes we actually use on the night.

POSSIBLE recipes :

http://yourmarriagerestored.blogspot.co.nz/2011/05/natural-is-best.html

http://www.discountqueens.com/diy-body-wash-turn-1-bar-soap-luxurious-body-wash/

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/easy-soap-making-recipes-for-kids.html

http://www.deliacreates.com/2011/01/homemade-beeswax-lip-gloss.html

http://www.my-creativeway.com/2012/11/diy-lip-gloss-kids-craft.html?m=1


http://mothersbrains.blogspot.com.au/2011/06/cheap-tuesdays-diy-laundry-powder.html

http://www.mariasself.com/2013/08/diy-toilet-bombs-deodorize-kill.html

http://www.marthastewart.com/270270/homemade-bath-salts

http://www.nurseryofthenation.com/2011/11/how-to-make-homemade-lotion-bars.html

I have a whole box of cool chocolate moulds which I may use for the soaps and then we could possible use them to make care packages for our missionaries for the next months activity.


HOW IT ACTUALLY WENT DOWN!!
So two weeks ago I got called to be YW President, and at the time I was asked to continue on with my planned Faith in God activity for OCT.   The above plan had to be changed a little to fit in with all the crazy business with my new calling, so as we do we adjusted the sails a little and tried something a little simpler but just as much fun and still in keeping with the theme:

We did FUN science experiments instead of Lotions and potions.
We started the night with a Sensory Relay.... kids blindfolded and reaching hands into a bowl of goodness knows what.......and then running back to their answer cards to write down what they thought was in the bowl before coming back for more...... This was a fun activity.... We checked all the answers against each other at the end.... Some very interesting answers...LOL    We used - Chocolate Pudding, slime, noodles with dates in it, mini canned corn,(they smelt awful, baked beans and green olives.

We made, Fizzing lava bombs, fizzing bath salts, lava lamps and Bouncy Balls.

Will add the recipes we used later: But here are some pics of our fizzing lava bombs:

Mission Prep - Planting our testimonies

In the faith in God Booklet it asks the children to write their testimonies in the book. To prepare them to do so this activity will identify what a testimony is and what we can do to help it grow.

The Plan : Start the night with a mini lesson about how faith is like a seed, that needs to be nurtured and cared for. It starts out small but with faith, prayer, study etc it can grow and can be shared with others to help their testimonies grow too (just as a tiny seed with water, sun, etc can grow to a plant that shares too -fruit, seeds etc)
Activity - Paint plant pots and plant a seed - maybe a sunflower (many seeds come from sunflower once its grown and it stands tall for all to see)
Have the children write their testimonies on little cards - maybe of flowers - and then "plant" them in Book of Mormons, and on the ward notice board to be shared with our ward family.

We can use this message to create the lesson behind this activity. http://www.lds.org/new-era/2013/02/growing-your-testimony?lang=eng

Tonight we had a lesson about how our testimonies are like a little seed, to grow they must be nurtured. We decorated pots with parts of our testimonies on them and planted sunflowers for us to look after. We also shared our testimonies on our own homemade pass-along cards and flowers which decorated our ward notice board so our testimonies can be shared with others. Special nite too because Elise moves up to YW and we had a Saul attend for the very first time!