The Present Game

This is something that can really be done at anytime of the year, but I got this idea from Secrets of Super Mommy (she does it around Birthday Time). For our religous ed class, I went around wrapping a ton of stupid items around the house (it is a little appalling how much junk we collect so easily). Items included toys from Kid's Meals, Office Items, etc. Then these were the rules for the class activity:

1. Sit in a circle. Explain that these gifts are not to be kept; it is ONLY for the activity.
2. Each student goes around one by one picking an item and giving it to the person to their right. The student who receives the gift, opens it and gives a sincere "Thank You, So and So", and then must say something they truly like about it. For example, for a rubber band - "Wow, this will help me stay organized" or for a red ball - "I love bouncing balls and red is my favorite color".
3. If needed, students can help each other.

The other great thing about this class activity was that the day after, Burgin got to spend about an hour opening all the unopened gifts. And the funny thing was that he acted just as excited and surprised as if it was a great present that he had never seen before!

Daniel and the Lions Craft

1. Use a small yellow paper plate, or color a regular one yellow.
2. Add ears and googly eyes and ears
3. Add strips of brown yarn with glue.
4. Draw a nose and mouth.

Felt Turkey

Burgin is 27 months old

Source: I have to find where I got the template.

After printing, cutting the template and the felt. I glued the turkey head together and onto the body. Burgin was able to put the Turkey's feathers on. I also covered a small pizza box with felt to use as a felt board and store my felt board crafts.

In our Religious ed class, students will each put a feather on saying something that they are thankful for.

Tower of Babel

For next week's Religious Ed class, we will be doing the story about the Tower of Babel. For one of the activities, each group will get to try and build a tower as high as possible using recycled objects. The one rule is that each student must have a turn before the student can have another turn. This encourages teamwork and communication.

Noah's Ark I-Spy Game

Burgin is currently 26 months

This is one of Burgin's favorite things to do. I put a bunch of objects in a container and then pour rice over them to cover them. Burgin digs through the rice to find the objects.

I was able to extend this idea to be used in our Religious Ed Class. I made a sheet with photos of different animals that I had miniatures (old Strawberry Shortcake doll animals). The students then had to find an animal and match it with it's pair to help Noah prepare the Ark.

Prayer File Folder Games

My husband and I teach Kindergarden Catholic religious education. I love the concept of file folder games, so I incorporated it with learning prayers. Once I find a spot to upload them, these are the ones I have:

• The Lord's Prayer


• Hail Mary


• Glory Be

How to Assemble:

1. Print two copies of the prayers. I used color to make it easier for the younger children. To make it harder for older children, copy in black and white.

2. Laminate one of the copies.

3. Glue the non-laminated copy to the file folder. I had to trim the sides a bit to make it fit better.

4. With the laminated copy, cut out the colored phrases. I trimmed off the excess siding. For older kids, a B&W version with all the words cut out could be done.

5. On a Freezer bag, I labeled it with a corresponding number if having multiple copies/prayersFor example, Glory Be 1. On the back of the laminated pieces, I label with shorthand which bag it goes to, GB1 (short for Glory Be #1). This way if pieces are found on the floor, it is easily determined which bag it goes to.