But Why?
Items Needed:
- Slips of paper
- Pencils
- Two small bowls
Play a game called Why? with your children. Gather several slips of paper, pencils, and two small bowls.
Give each person two slips of paper and a pencil. Ask them to write a question that starts with why on one slip of paper. (Examples: Why is milk white? Why do I have to go to bed at 8?) Then instruct them to write an answer that starts with because on the other slip of paper. (because it’s not green, because you might turn into a monster at 9 o’clock) Keep the Why questions separate from the Because answers in the two bowls.
Mix up the papers in each bowl. Let one person choose a Why question and read it aloud. Then ask another person to randomly choose a Because answer and read it. (Hopefully, they will not pick one that correctly answers the question.) Read all the questions and answers.
This was a silly game of questions and answers, but there are many times that we don’t want to submit to the person in charge. We don’t understand WHY we must obey. Rules are usually for our good and the Holy Spirit can help us say yes to obeying and no to going our own way.
If you have older children, invite them to think of a reason behind a rule. If you have younger children, fill out the slips of paper beforehand.
Yay! You Obeyed!
Items Needed:
- Happy face stickers
- Happy face supplies
- Glue
- Magnet
Make a happy face out of materials you have at home. (paper, paper plate, etc.) Glue a magnet to the back and hang it on the refrigerator. Gather some multi-colored happy face stickers and assign a different color to each child.
Allow your children to add a sticker to the happy face each time they choose to obey. See who has the most stickers at the end of the week. Celebrate as a family with a special treat or outing. Say, “Yay! You obeyed!” with a smile and a hug when they obey!
Tell Me a Story
Items Needed:
- Paper
- Old magazines
- Scissors
- Glue
- Bag or box
Make storytelling cards and create stories about people who did or did not obey. Gather old magazines and cut out pictures. Glue each one to a piece of paper. When the story cards are dry, place them in a bag or box and use them as story starters.
Here are some story starter ideas:
The monkey’s mom told him NOT to go to the river because there were alligators who sometimes eat little monkeys. Little monkey got bored swinging through the trees, so he….
Megan’s mom told her to clean her room. When Megan went to her room and opened the curtains, she saw…
Greta’s class went to the zoo and Mrs. Jones told the class to stay together. When Greta saw the trail for the koalas, she….
The boys rode their bikes to the old, empty house and walked up to the front porch. There was a No Trespassing sign. Joey…
Invite every family member to pick one card to use in the story. The first person must use what is on their card to start the story. After a few sentences, invite another family member to continue the story. Keep going until everyone has had a turn to contribute. Enjoy this silly time with your family!