Blessing Boxes

Supplies Needed:
Small boxes, such as shoebox size for each student (or family member if doing at home)
Plain wrapping paper 
Tape
Scissors
Markers
Stickers
Small paper slips
Pencils


Wrap boxes and lids separately.  Students may decorate with stickers and markers.  Cut slit in lid large enough for slip of paper to fit through.  Make sure everyone puts their names large enough for everyone to see.  Place somewhere in the classroom where they will be easily accessible but not in the way of other activities or if doing at home, place in bedrooms or other designated spot.

Encourage children (and adults) to bless one another by writing encouraging notes or words of thanks on the paper slips and placing them in the recipients' boxes.  Do this over a certain time period, then designate one day as Count Your Blessings Day!  If doing at church, perhaps you could spend time each week for a month allowing students to bless one another, then set aside some time on the last Sunday of the month for everyone to read their blessings.  If doing this at home, maybe you could designate Thanksgiving Day as the day you read your blessings.  Of course, this is a wonderful activity to do all through the year - not just around Thanksgiving time!

What are some other ways to help children demonstrate encouragement and thanksgiving to one another?

Teamwork Silly Story

Supplies Needed:

Bag with random objects in it

Scripture Reference:  Philippians 1:27

Say, "Paul encourages the church to work together as a team.  Our class will work together as a team to tell a silly story. The story may be as silly as you’d like, but you must avoid adding anything inappropriate or scary when it’s your turn. Remember, we are working as a team, so let’s all be encouraging of one another.” 

Instruct students to pass around bag with objects in it.  Without looking inside bag, each student must pull out the first object they touch.  Choose a student to begin the story.  He/she must begin with “Once upon a time, there was a...” and he/she must include the object in his/her portion of the story.  For example, if an apple is drawn from the bag, he/she might say, “Once upon a time, there was a boy named Jack who found a magic apple...”.  At your signal, the next student will pick up his/her portion of the story where the first student left off and will include the object he/she drew from the bag.  Story continues until all students have had a chance to add something.    


There are LOTS of ideas out there for teaching teamwork.  What are some of your favorites?