What Do I Need?

This activity helps children understand that God is fair when He supplies our needs.
by Leah Pittsinger

TOPICS: Fairness, Knowing God MATERIALS: Props: cowboy hat, play food, gloves, swimming goggles, small gardening spade, umbrella, dog leash, paintbrush Large bag (to hold the props) DURATION: Approximately 10 minutes

PREPARATION:

Place the props inside the bag.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

Explain to the class that God is fair, so He gives us exactly what we need. Read each “pretend” prompt and choose a volunteer to find the correct prop to satisfy the need. Allow the children to hold or wear the props until the activity is complete.
1. Pretend you are a cowboy. What do you need? (Cowboy hat.)
2. Pretend you are hungry. What do you need? (Play food.)
3. Pretend you are going to build a snowman. What do you need? (Gloves.)
4. Pretend you are going swimming. What do you need? (Swimming goggles.)
5. Pretend you are going to plant a garden. What do you need? (Small gardening spade.)
6. Pretend it is raining. What do you need? (Umbrella.)
7. Pretend you are going to walk a dog. What do you need? (Dog leash.)
8. Pretend you are going to paint a picture. What do you need? (Paintbrush.)

Tell the class how each prop satisfies the need (such as the cowboy hat protecting a cowboy’s head from the hot sun). Reiterate that God is fair and does no wrong, so we can trust that He will always give us what we need.

Time-Saving Option: Lay the props out on a table for easier access.

Increased-Difficulty Option:  Add props that have nothing to do with the prompts.