toddler engagement ideas - The Salvation Army

TODDLER ENGAGEMENT IDEAS Here are some ideas for how you can theme various parts of your toddler group session around the Together We Rise appeal and raise some money too. If you can’t give over an entire session, then many of these activities could be adapted to be used as part of a session, or spread out over a few weeks of engagement. You can also check out our Fundraising Ideas resource to see how you could raise funds as a group. You may also want to consider increasing the usual entrance fee for the session or holding a collection to allow extra money to go towards the Appeal.

SONG TIME ¶¶ ‘The Farmer’s in his Den’ ¶¶ ‘We All Clap Hands Together’ ¶¶ ‘If You’re Happy and You Know It’ ¶¶ ‘Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush’ ¶¶ ‘Ring a Ring O’ Roses’ ¶¶ ‘Hokey Cokey’

ARTS AND CRAFT ¶¶ Group collage – Create a large outline of a picture and then get all the children to decorate it together with collage materials. ¶¶ Balloon painting – Semi-inflate some balloons to different sizes, dip in paint and use as a stamper to make pictures. ¶¶ Papier-mâché balloons – Make some papier-mâché balloons with the kids, or pre-make them so that they can paint/decorate them. You could even turn them into a Piñata by sneaking a treat into the balloon! ¶¶ Make a balloon person – Blow up your balloon, stick coloured wool to the top and add some strips of card (folded concertina style) for arms and legs. Finally draw a face on it with a marker pen. ¶¶ Make a paper chain of people – Fold up a strip of paper and cut out an outline of a person. When unfolded you’ll have a whole group of people. Get the kids to colour in these people on one side – you could even get them to draw themselves and some of their friends in the group. You can then stick the two ends together to create a circle of the group all holding hands together. There are more ideas in the ‘Creative Family Worship’ resource which could be adapted to work in a toddler group setting.

STORY TIME These are a few suggestions of related stories that could be read to the group as part of a structured story time or available in a book corner for parents and children to read together: ¶¶ The Big Concrete Lorry by Shirley Hughes ¶¶ The Rescue Party by Nick Butterworth ¶¶ Little Bear Lost by Jane Hissey ¶¶ One Duck Stuck by Phyllis Root ¶¶ The Enormous Turnip – traditional Russian folk tale ¶¶ Mr Gumpy’s Motor Car by John Burningham

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TODDLER END-OF-TERM PICNIC PARTY You can take these ideas further by hosting a special end-of-term picnic party or community barbecue. This could be either indoors or outdoors, depending on the weather (and the time of year). You could still incorporate some of the ideas above, as well as: ¶¶ Balloon modelling ¶¶ Face painting ¶¶ A bouncy castle ¶¶ Cake stall (perhaps with cakes made/decorated by the kids) ¶¶ Parachute games You could charge an entrance fee for this, or charge for the additional activities, to raise money for the Appeal.

SEE ALSO ¶¶ Creative Family Worship Ideas ¶¶ Fundraising Ideas ¶¶ Engaging Your Family Ministry Group

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WWW.SALVATIONARMY.ORG.UK/TOGETHERWERISE