Making and using mini-books in your faith at home

I might be a little addicted to making mini books! They are so cute and so quick and very satisfying to make. Saying that, if I were looking to make one for each child in a group of ten or more, I would definitely call in some help! I have two main ways I like … Read more

Exploring the Bible together experiment week #1

For a long time now I’ve been in favour of adults and children growing in faith together. I’ve led all-age services, done training for family and childrens’ workers and even run family activity days all with the intention of helping people experience and understand the joy which comes from intergenerational church done well. For me … Read more

How can we help families grow in their faith at home?

I believe faith is something which is more caught than taught. That’s why Jesus’ disciples followed for three years. They hung out with Jesus, watching, experiencing, absorbing who he was and how he lived. It’s something we know instinctively when we think about the people we spend more time with. We know that if we … Read more

Easter Audio Story

If you have looked at reading the Easter story together as a family, you may have noticed that it’s a LOT longer than the Christmas story! One easy way to take in the whole Easter story in one or only a few episodes is to listen to it! There are loads of great audio Bibles … Read more

Saint Valentine’s Day

Each year, we explore the story of Saint Valentine a little bit, and then we make cards and sometimes edible gifts to let our friends know they are loved. The story of Saint Valentine is a bit gory and sometimes a little x-rated, so if you plan on sharing a short youtube video, be sure … Read more

Make an invitation to play

This is a simple, creative, easy to roll out idea to let children play, including playing with things of faith such as Bible stories, prayer, helping others. They are created using things you have at home, and involve minimal adult preparation or input: Set out a selection of toys, craft materials, construction items or other … Read more

Review: The Good thing about Bad Days

Title: The Good things about Bad Days By: Margaret McAllister and Nigel Baines Price: £9.97 Published by: Lion Good for: children age 7-12 years Best bit: Lots of helpful guidance and strategy ideas for working through bad days, with lots of space to fill things in and make the book your own. Worst bit: Pages … Read more

Review: Life in Lockdown

Title: Life in Lockdown By: Olly Goldenberg from Children Can Price: £2 Published by: Children Can Good for: children age 4-10 years Best bit: Great mix of fun puzzles with ways and exploring experiences and emotions about lock down in the context of relevant Bible verses. Worst bit: Some pages are a bit text heavy … Read more

Faith at home habits!

Do you set goals? How about developing a habit instead? In his book Atomic Habits, James Clear says that it’s habits which make us the people we are, and the people we want to be. Goals, he proposes, once achieved, can actually cause a reduction in the type of behaviour we want to have, whereas … Read more

Review: The Newborn King

Title: The Newborn King By: Sarah J. Dod and Raffaella Ligi Price: £5.99 Published by: Lion Available from: Eden Good for: children aged 3-7 years Best bit: Lovely artwork and tone of the storytelling, which makes all the characters feel real Worst bit: There is what I would consider additional elements added which aren’t in the … Read more

Review: The Gift of Christmas

Title: The Gift of Christmas – The boy who blessed the world By: Mary Joslin and Kristina Swarner Price: £7.78 Published by: Lion Good for: children age 5-10 years Best bit: Lovely, whimsical artwork and a re-telling of the story which is very close to the Bible version told in Luke and Matthew. It also … Read more

Peppermint Cream Stars

One thing I enjoy doing are simple craft activities which link in with the Christmas story in some way, giving me an ‘in’ to chat about it both with my family, and with whoever comes into contact with the final product. Making chocolate creams is ridiculously easy, and yummy so a perfect gift for a … Read more