Take a look at these
crafts and activities based on this week's reading
, and choose what your family would enjoy doing, depending on the supplies you have available, and the ages of your children:
The Lord is my shepherd:
- Time for all the sheep crafts! (Plenty more to be found on Pinterest!)
* Handprint (washable paint), with fingers as sheep legs and head (upside down) – or trace hands and glue on cotton balls – make a mobile, or a flock on the fridge. Glue a sheep to paper, make spring notecards or placecards.
* Paint bubble wrap and use it to print on paper; cut out sheep bodies, glue on plain paper, and add legs, faces, and a landscape.
- Gather all the stuffies & shepherd them. Find the lost ones! Have a parade.
Green pastures:
- Plant flower or grass seeds in a pot or saucer to enjoy indoors. (Nice for an Easter centerpiece a few weeks from now, too.)
- Start veggies and flowers for transplanting outdoors, later.
- Regrow cut celery, scallions, carrot tops, etc.
- Keep on or start composting!
- Nature walk to observe buds and new growth.
- Start work in gardens outdoors. Spring is here!
Still waters:
- Bath tub or sink fun with measuring cups, spoons, and plastic bowls. Bubbles are a bonus. (“My cup runneth over.” LOL)
- Create a collage of blue and green paper (cut from magazines, colored paper, or painted strips of newspaper) to create a river, lake, or ocean. Fish and mermaids optional.
- Visit a beach, river, or pond. Find a waterfall or fountain. Enjoy clean water.
Though I walk through the valley
. . . discuss this phrase as age-appropriate.
- Brainstorm ways God is with us. (Write/illustrate a list –
send me photos
!)
- Hike a walking path with a tunnel or a bridge, chat about how they help.
(In tunnels, shout to hear echos!)
- Look for shadows (where there's shadows, there's light, that's a comfort). Outdoors, chalk outline your shadow. Indoors, try shadow puppetry.
Right pathways:
- Outdoor walks/scooter/skates/bikes/wagons on walking paths. Good time to talk about helmets - and path etiquette, too.
- Draw sidewalk chalk mazes and labyrinths (see designs online), or squiggly paths to follow.
- Walk with a book balanced on your head. . . careful!
- Create a low balance beam or lay a rope on the ground; pretend it's a high wire. Try walking with eyes shut, or backwards, or hop (be safe!).
Spread a table:
- Set the table.
- Fancy napkin folding (lots of instruction found online).
- Plan a menu for a special meal.
- Interview folks about their favorite foods and recipes.
You have anointed my head with oil:
- Dabs of baby oil, olive oil, essential oil (use with caution).
- Wash hands, then rub with lotion. . . often!
- Enjoy some sort of at-home spa experience. It's pampering time!
- Take turns honoring family members, friends, helpers, pets.
The House of the Lord:
- Budding architects, design a perfect house with words or images on paper; or 3D if you have a box handy, or Legos, or blocks.
- Describe or create a church, or a place in a church - such as an altar; or think of a special place where people might gather to praise God.
- Find a corner in your house to gather and display meaningful items for a quiet prayer and meditation spot. Let it be a sanctuary in your home.
And:
