Use this as a simple movement game to show that “repent” means turning around and changing direction, not just saying “sorry.”

Setup

• Clear a space where children can walk safely in a straight line.  
• Explain: “Repent means to turn around, to change direction from going our own way to following God’s way.”

Instructions

1. Have the children stand in a line on one side of the room, all facing the same direction.  
2. Say, “Walk straight ahead,” and let them take a few steps.  
3. Call out simple commands like:
   1. “Turn around!”  
   2. “Turn left!”  
   3. “Turn right!”  
4. Each time they must obey immediately and keep walking.  
5. After a minute, stop them and explain: “Repenting is like when you were walking one way and then turned around when you heard the command. When we repent, we stop going our own wrong way and turn to follow Jesus instead.”  
6. Repeat the game, occasionally saying, “Repent!” as the command for them to turn around and go the opposite direction.

Simple Application
Ask: “What are some ‘wrong directions’ we might go in (lying, being unkind, disobeying)?”  
Then explain that when God shows us we are going the wrong way, He invites us to repent—turn around—and walk in His way instead, with His help.

Use this as a fun, noisy reminder of John the Baptist’s message to “prepare the way” for Jesus by sharing the good news with others.

Materials

• Cardboard tube (paper towel or gift wrap tube, one per child if possible)  
• Streamers (crepe paper or ribbon)  
• Ribbons  
• Jingle bells  
• Markers  
• Stickers  
• Tape, glue, or stapler (for attaching decorations)  

Steps
1. Decorate the tube

• Give each child a cardboard tube.  
• Let them decorate the outside with markers and stickers.  
• Help them write or copy a short Bible phrase on the tube such as “Prepare the way” or “Jesus is coming.”  

2. Add streamers and bells

• Cut lengths of streamers and ribbons.  
• Tape or staple them to one end of the tube so they hang down like tassels.  
• Attach a few jingle bells to the ribbons or to the end of the tube so it makes noise when moved.  

3. Use the megaphone 

•  Show kids how to speak into the open end like a megaphone.  
•  Have them walk around the room gently calling out simple phrases such as “Jesus is King,” “Prepare the way for the Lord,” or “Jesus is coming—get ready!”  

Simple Application

Explain that John the Baptist used his voice to get people ready for Jesus, and that today, children can “prepare the way” by talking about Jesus, showing His love, and helping others listen to God.  

Invite them to think of one person they could encourage or tell something true about Jesus to this week as they take their megaphone home.

Use this as a fun movement game to review John the Baptist’s life and help kids listen carefully and obey.

John Says (adaptation of Simon Says)

Setup

• Children stand facing the leader in an open space.  
• Explain that they should only follow commands that begin with John says.  
• If they move on a command that does not start with John says, they sit down or move to the side until the next round.

How to Play

1. Start with simple, story-based commands, always saying John says first:
   1.  “John says pretend to eat some honey.”  
   2.  “John says act like you’re crunching on locusts.”  
   3.  “John says stand by the river to get baptized.”  
   4.  “John says shout, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord!’”  
2. Occasionally give a command *without* John says, such as “Clap your hands” or “Jump up high.”  
3. Anyone who follows a command without John says is out for that round. Keep playing until only a few children remain, then restart so everyone can join again.

Simple Application
Explain that, like this game, people in John’s time had to really listen to his message and then respond.  

Connect it by saying that today, God wants people to listen carefully to His Word and obey, preparing their hearts for Jesus.

Use this as a fun “grasshopper snack” to connect with John the Baptist’s locust-and-honey diet in a kid-friendly way.

Ingredients / Materials

• Celery sticks (body)  
• Cheese whiz or spreadable cheese (instead of peanut butter)  
• Grapes (head)  
• Pretzel sticks (legs/antennae)  
• Chocolate chips (eyes)  
• Paper plates  
• Plastic knives or small spoons  

Steps

1. Give each child a plate, a celery stick, and a plastic knife.  
2. Have them spread cheese whiz into the hollow of the celery to make the body.  
3. Place a grape at one end of the celery for the grasshopper’s head (you can secure it with a bit of cheese).  
4. Break pretzel sticks into smaller pieces and gently push them into the cheese along the sides of the celery for legs, and two small pieces near the head for antennae.  
5. Press two chocolate chips onto the grape for eyes, using a dab of cheese to help them stick if needed.  

Simple Application
As kids build and eat, briefly explain that John the Baptist ate locusts and wild honey in the wilderness, and this silly grasshopper snack helps us remember his unusual life and bold message to prepare the way for Jesus. Invite children to share one way they can “stand out” for Jesus this week, just like John did.

Use this as a sensory “Taste and See” snack to help kids imagine John the Baptist’s wilderness life and his courage in following God.

Ingredients and Materials

• Jar of wild honey  
• Edible insects (e.g., dried crickets/locusts) or gummy worms to represent bugs  
• Crackers or small pieces of bread for dipping  
• Plates or napkins for serving  
• Spoons for honey and serving  

Steps
1. Introduce John’s wilderness life

•  Briefly remind the children that John the Baptist lived in the wilderness, wore rough camel’s hair clothing, and ate locusts and wild honey.  
•  Show the jar of honey and let children look closely; invite them (one at a time) to smell it.  
•  If using edible insects or gummy “bugs,” show them to the class and explain that this is what John’s food might have looked like.

2. Taste and see  

• Place a small amount of honey on each child’s cracker or bread (and, if appropriate, a small edible insect or gummy worm beside it).  
• Invite them to taste the honey and notice its sweetness and texture.  
• As they eat, ask: “What do you think it would be like to live out in the wilderness and eat simple food like this all the time?”

3. Discuss John’s lifestyle and courage 

•  Talk about how John didn’t live a fancy or comfortable life; he was focused on the special job God gave him: preparing people’s hearts for Jesus.  
•  Emphasize that John was brave and spoke the truth about God, even when it wasn’t popular or easy.  
•  Ask questions like:
  • “What might John have had to give up to follow God this way?”  
  • “Are there times when following Jesus might mean choosing what is right instead of what is comfortable?”

Simple Application
Highlight that John’s simple, wild lifestyle shows how committed he was to God’s mission.  

Encourage children to think of one small way they can choose obedience to Jesus over comfort this week—such as telling the truth, being kind when it’s hard, or speaking up about their faith.