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» Influence
Silly Putty Influence
Items needed: Silly Putty and newspaper (cartoons are best)
Knead the Silly Putty, press it down on the newspaper page, and then lift it off to see the comic’s mirror image on the putty. Stretch the putty out to distort the image if you like. (If you’re really ambitious, you can make Silly Putty. Just Google “Silly Putty” for a recipe.) Be aware that some newspapers use soy-based inks, which do not transfer the images as well.
Ask:
• How did the image get on the Silly Putty? (It had to be pressed onto it and rubbed in.)
• How is this like you being influenced by others? (Their good or bad habits can rub off on you. If your friends use bad words, you may pick up that habit. If your friends are kind to others, you may learn that habit from them as well.)
• What are your friends influencing you to do?
Read Proverbs 13:20—‘He that walks with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.”
Valentine’s Treasure Hunt
Celebrate Valentine’s Day by having a treasure hunt!
Print the clues below (or make up your own) and hide them all except the first one. Give the kids the first clue to start the hunt. Wrap a small gift for each child or put a box filled with goodies for them to find at the end.
Clue 1: Look on the bookcase to find what you must do.
If you do this, you will get your next clue.
Clue 2: Say “I love you” three times as quickly as can be;
Then look behind the TV if your clue you want to see.
Clue 3: Roses are red, violets are blue;
Go to the guest room to find your next clue.
Clue 4: Kiss each person on the forehead.
Then go look under your parent’s bed.
Clue 5: I wonder where the next clue will hide;
Maybe in the place where the clothes are dried.
Clue 6: Say something nice to each person in the
room.
Then go to the place where we keep the broom.
Clue 7: Good things come to those who look;
A clue can be found in a favorite book.
Clue 8: Concerning clues, if you want to find more.
Go to your dresser and count down four.
Clue 9: Turn around now and give each person a hug;
Then go to the bathroom and look under the rug.
Clue 10: If you want to find Clue Number 10,
Look in the room where people come in.
Clue 11: This hunt is fun; we think it’s really neat.
Look on the bottom of what you put on your feet.
Clue 12: You’re close to the treasure, you’re almost a
winner.
Look under the table where we eat dinner.
Clue 13: Unlock the door and go down the stair.
There’s a treasure hidden to show that we care.
Valentine’s Party
Invite your kids’ friends over to have a Valentine’s party. (One of the best ways to influence your kids to do right is to help them find other kids who also want to do right.) Serve simple refreshments—cookies and milk, cupcakes and juice, etc. Play a few simple games:
• Hide conversation hearts and see who can find the most.
• Play musical hearts. Pass a red heart (cut one from paper) around the circle while music is playing. When the music stops, the one holding the heart must exit the game and watch. The last one left is the winner. Give a small prize to the winner.
• Play “Honey, do you love me?” Choose one person to be “it” who must go to different people and ask them that question. The person asked must respond WITHOUT smiling or laughing by saying, “Honey, I love you, but I just can’t smile.” If that person smiles, he or she becomes “it” and has to ask the question.
Ask the kids to guess the greatest love story; then tell about Jesus leaving heaven and coming to earth just because He loves them.
