Valentine's Day

Here is an easy seasonal party; I usually call it a "God is Love" party. This can be used either as something to spice up an ongoing program (such as one night of a midweek program), as a separate "event", or as a fun--and beneficial--way to provide childcare for a "parents night out."

Before the Party:

1. Advertise to the children and parents of your church the date and time of the party, and that each child needs to bring 5 heart shaped sugar cookies. (Be sure to have extras on hand for those who forget.)

2. Prepare colored frosting, small candies, plates, knives (or other "frosting spreaders"), napkins, wet wipes (if a sink isn't available), plastic baggies (for take-home cookies) and child-friendly drinks.

3. Rent or borrow a movie with a "love" theme--this works especially well if it's a "Father's Love" theme, such as Finding Nemo, or a Christian based movie, such as Veggie Tales' Love Your Neighbor. Be sure to consider how much time you will have at your party when choosing what to watch! (If you do this party every year, all you have to do is choose a different movie--everything else can stay just the same.)

4. Decorate! Large cut out hearts with red, pink, and white balloons and streamers taped up are more than sufficient. Tip: if class time allows, have children decorate during thier previous gathering (Sunday school, midweek program, etc.) This helps build both excitement for and "ownership" of the party.

During the party:

1. Begin with games; either plan some ahead or let children choose thier favorites (they always have ideas!)

2. Decorate cookies. If you don't have room for everyone to decorate at the same time, divide into groups: while one group decorates, the other group(s) can play games.

3. Watch the movie. Allow children to eat at least one cookie during "show time" and save the rest to take home. Option: have children give a cookie away as a way to share God's love with others.

4. Make the connection: if the movie you chose wasn't specifically Christian, explain what it was that made you choose it (for example: it was a movie about a father's love, just as our heavenly Father loves us.) This would be a good time for a short discussion about God's love, connect it as much as possible to the rest of the evening (for example: What did the father in the movie do to show his love to his child? What does our heavenly Father do to show his love to us? How can we share His love with others?)

Have fun!