Open Ended Felt Activity

This is a simple activity which can be used as an exploration of any Bible story. I use it at home and also in our church as part of our intergenerational service at Easter. The idea is to have lots of abstract shapes for people to create their own pictures with. The pictures could be … Read more

Bible story toys and book

This week I made a photobook using actual Bible text and toys to ‘act’ the story then set the book up with the toys in an ‘Invitation to Play’ the story. When I found a company doing photobooks for £6 (!) I got to work making a photobook of a Bible story using Bible text … Read more

Stop stopping children play!

We need to stop stopping children’s play. We need to help other adults stop stopping children play. We need to step back, to watch, be led by them, and let ourselves play more. Daddy Pig (Father of Peppa) is an expert at everything. He is a skiing expert, a fishing expert, a boat driving expert, … Read more

Play Mobil Jesus feeds 5000

This week I’ve aquired a variety of Play Mobil baskets so I thought we could do the story of Jesus feeding the 5000. It’s a story we know well, but I’m always amazed at how playing a story allows us to explore it and how it relates to us in new ways. Having set out … Read more

Picture Bible story treasure hunt

Inspired by an enthusiastic hunt for ‘fairy doors’ at Ripley Castle, I thought I’d have another go at a Bible story treasure hunt but this time use pictures. This one takes a little prep but is really flexible and so could be made to work for any age of children or adults. My children are 3 … Read more

Review: God’s Story for Under 5s

Title: God’s Story for Under 5s – 36 Bible-based sessions for midweek and Sunday groups.  Author: Becky May Useful for: groups leaders and parents of under 5s wanting to share Bible stories with their children in a developmentally appropriate, play-based approach Best bit: loads of stories, and multiple ways to playfully explore each story in a meaningful way, plus short … Read more

New Leaflet: 10 (Fun, Faith, Family) Things To Do With Under 5s

This weekend I was in Hudderfield at an event for under 5s, where I was invited to share about Player Together and Praying Together. As part of my workshops I took 10 activities to play and pray with under fives and made a little leaflet of them. Here’s the 10 activities I included: 1 fuzzy … Read more

Bubbles blessing

This is a a great way to pray with people of all ages, including very young children. Get out the bubbles and say that they represent the blessings of God, that is, all the good things in our lives, as the Bible says that every good and perfect gift comes from God (James 1:17). I … Read more

Play Through the Bible

2023 Update: This book appears to now be out of print for new copies. Used copies are available on Amazon and AbeBooks. Eden.co.uk and Waterstones have these books on their sites and ask that if you are looking for a copy to inform them so they know there is a demand. I’m always on the … Read more

Explore the story with your Nativity set

Home is the perfect place to have a nativity scene which children can play with. Often sets are so beautiful and delicate that they aren’t appropriate for children’s touch, which is a shame. Play is a wonderful way for children of all ages (and adults!) to explore the meaning of this incredible story–the one which … Read more

Bible story with toys or The Day Jesus Went to Peppa Pig’s House

What are your children’s favourite toys at the moment? Why not use them to explore a Bible story together? My girls are currently into their dolls house, so we used it to tell the story you’ll probably know as ‘man through the roof’. See below for my pictures of the following story: We started with … Read more

Godly Play Course Review

I first heard about Godly Play years ago but had no cause or curiosity to follow it up. However, I recently developed both and also opportunity in the form of a course being run 20 minutes from where I live, AND childcare!I found the core training inspiring, challenging and refreshing, and I intend to follow … Read more