Sunday school does not stop when school is out. In fact, many Sunday school classes actually see a rise in attendance during the summer months when people are visiting churches and attending Vacation Bible School. If you are a preschool Sunday school teacher, then here are some fun ideas to bring into your Sunday school class during the summer months.
Host a water party: It is always hot during the summer, so why not have a little "cool" fun in the water. Make sure you tell the parents ahead of time, so the kids can come in a bathing suit or old clothes. This is one time when Sunday dress is not appropriate. Set up a couple of small kiddie pools outside and fill with water. Give the kids small squirt guns (or squeeze bottles), sponges and other water toys to play with. Have some water games to play, such as a water balloon toss. You can even put objects in the water and let them experiment with what will sink or float.
Bubble Fun: You can also go outside for a bit of bubble fun. There are all kinds of easy recipes that will help you make the biggest bubbles ever. Fill a kiddie pool with bubble solution and let the kids go to town. Place a hula hoop inside the pool and have the kids stand inside. Bring the hula hoop up around the kids very slowly and they will find themselves inside the bubble. You can also make a variety of bubble wands out of clothes hangers and even large pipe cleaners.
Teddy Bear Picnic: Have each child bring their own teddy bear and go outside for a teddy bear picnic. Bring all the yummy foods that bears and kids like to eat such as biscuits and honey, Teddy Graham crackers and fresh fruit. Spread out a blanket and find a place in the shade for a fun time.
Indoor Campout: Stay cool and have an indoor campout right in your classroom. Pitch a tent small enough to fit in your class (but big enough for all the kids). Sit inside and have puzzle time and story time. Give each kid their own flashlight and teach them some new songs. You can even make a pretend camp fire using rolled up construction paper as logs. How about s'mores for snacks? You will need graham crackers, some chocolate and of course marshmallows. Roast the marshmallows over a candle, or stick them in the microwave.
Remember that just because school is out doesn't mean that your class can't learn at Sunday school. Take a look at your weekly Sunday school lessons and find a way to incorporate some of these fun summer activities into your class.
To make anything work effectively you need the right tools, and that is true even in the Sunday School classroom. As any teacher will tell you, having a classroom full of energetic and lively kids is not the time to find out you do not have paper or scissors to complete a project. Take the time now to make sure you have the essential materials needed. Here are some great ideas for having the right supplies for your Sunday School classroom.
Before you start collecting materials for your classroom, it is a good idea to think about storage. The amount of storage you have will probably determine how much you can get. Many churches will have a good supply closet that you can store your items in and find items that you may need. However, some churches simply do not have the space, or you might have to share your space with others. If this is the case, it might be wise to invest in a good rolling storage box that you can take with you each week.
Now consider supplies. What do you need to make sure you are well stocked? The average classroom will need not only the basic supplies, such as glue, scissors, and crayons, but also materials for activities. If you have a younger group, consider getting a few puzzles that are age appropriate to set out for early arrivers. Clay, cookie cutters, and sewing cards are also great for this purpose and are easy to store.
You might want to set up centers in your classroom. If this is the case, you will need toys to represent each center. For example, for a home center, you might want to include a couple of dolls, kitchen supplies, and play food. Dress-up clothes are also fun. Have a story time center, too. You will need a few books. Paperback books are best because they are less expensive and easy to replace. Of course younger children will do better with board books because of their durability.
Now think about crafts that you will want to make with your kids. The very bare essentials will include a good supply of manila and colored construction paper. Markers, crayons, and scissors are also a must-have. Glue sticks are also very good to have. If you prefer traditional glue, then try diluting a little glue with water and putting it in a bowl with paintbrushes for the children to use. This makes it easy for little hands to handle. Watercolors and paintbrushes are also good to have. If you are worried about messes, consider a few art smocks for the kids.
It might also be an excellent idea to have a folder with ideas for last minute activity ideas for fillers. Do not forget a tape player or CD player and your favorite Bible school music as well. Music in the class is very fun and useful.
Denise Oliveri has sinced written about articles on various topics from Culture and Society, Migraine Headaches and Alternative Medicine. Denise Oliveri has been teaching Sunday School for the past 13 years. She is the owner of , a leading online resource for preschool Sunday S. Denise Oliveri's top article generates over 33100 views. to your Favourites.