The hero in this story is the (unnamed) Simon-Peter’s Mother-in-law. The games play on the three ideas of links to Jesus, healing and touch.
Holding on – Give the youngsters tape, paper and scissors to make paper-chains. Get the youngsters to construct a paper-chain that links everybody’s wrists together. Talk about how we all came to church because of somebody we are linked to – a family member, a friend, etc. then stand up and try to move without breaking the chain… this probably won’t last long. Say that even though we came to church because of somebody else we are each loved individually by God.
Plastering balloons – This is a messy game that can be played with water in the summer. you need at least 1 balloon per child, tape or small sticky plasters and a sharp pin. Before you give the balloons out make 3 or 4 pin holes in them. give the children a balloon and say it’s broken, but they can fix it. the game starts when you shout start and ends when either all the balloons are fully inflated, or the first balloon is fully inflated.
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