The least of these passage talks about an act of sorting. Sorting is something we learn from an early age and so lends itself well to games. The other element of the sorting is the revelation of truth. For very young children, any sorting game, toddler toys, wrapped boxes, or even just coloured scarfs can be a helpful way in. Here are some simple ideas for games and activities.
Sheep & Goat separation
All Ages
Small group
Requires setup time
Quiet game
Can be seated
A printable game. Click on the image for the 2-page PDF download with instructions. Cut out a board and counters per player. The counters are mixed and placed in a bag. Players take it in turns to pull one counter. The counter is given to the right player. If you pull out your own counter, then go again. Sort your sheep and goats first to win. (For younger kids use counters, buttons, glass beads etc)
All about us
All Ages
Big group
No Setup time
Noisy game
Space needed
The children can sort themselves into groups according to age, colour of clothes, eye colour, types of shoes, or other obvious physical features. Trying to avoid boy/girl splits, where possible, will help mix the group.
Truth or half-truth
All Ages
Any size group
No Setup time
Noisy game
Space needed
Read two statements and get the children to move from one side of the room to the other according to which statement is true. Including some religious statements like “Jesus loves me vs Jesus loves everybody” can lead well into the teaching.
Water dash
Ages 7+
Big group
Requires setup time
Noisy game
Space needed
This works well outside and in hot weather. Half fill plastic cups with water, drop food colouring into about half the cups, so a quarter of the cups end up one colour and a quarter another. The children then have to fill their team’s bucket with just one colour. They should have to use at least some clear liquid to show how our actions spread.
Shape Recognition
Under 7’s
Small group
Requires setup time
Quiet game
Can be seated
Draw around some objects and then get the youngsters to replace the right object in the empty gap. Any household item will do, but shapes with thin parts like scissors are especially effective.
