Love Your Family Day
Declare a “Love Your Family Day.” Each family member should write their name on a slip of paper and throw them in a bag. Ask each one to draw a name, but not let anyone see it (to add a little suspense). The name they draw is the person they must show love to the WHOLE day. (Coach the younger ones if they need ideas—letting a sibling pick the TV show; do their chore; write a kind note; draw a picture; play a game; give a small gift; refuse to argue; read a book; compliment the other; share a favorite toy; etc.) At the end of the day, enjoy a treat together to celebrate a loving day!
Optional idea: You could declare a “Love Your Neighbor Day” instead and think of ways to show love to others outside your family.
Tree of Love
Look in the Bible and read 1 Corinthians 13 to your family. Invite the children to find the characteristics of love (kind; patient; unselfish; humble; pleasant—not quarrelsome; forgiving; doesn’t give up; happy for others; etc.). Designate one person as the “recorder” of the characteristics.
Build a tree of love. Draw a tree trunk with branches or cut one out of brown construction paper. Cut leaves out of green construction paper and assign each family member a characteristic of love to write on a leaf. Display your tree of love on a visible or wall or the refrigerator. Cut out a heart, write “LOVE” on it, and stick it at the top.
The greatest gift to give each other is love!
The Greatest Love
Host a party to discuss the greatest love ever given. Involve the whole family—plan games, make a special dessert. Read John 3:16 and James 1:17a.
***A simple party game that is fun to play is Hide and Seek. Ask for two volunteers—a hider and a seeker. Send the seeker out of the room. The hider will then hide a small object (make sure everyone sees where she hides it). Bring the seeker back in and sing songs to help him find the hidden piece (sing louder the closer he gets to it; sing quieter when he is far from it). When the object is found, pick a new hider and seeker and continue playing.