Weekly Fun Plan: Joy in the New Year!

ByChelsea

*This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link*

Welcome to this week’s Weekly Fun Plan: Joy in the New Year! If you haven’t already I recommend you read my introductory blog post “Faith-filled Fun: What Is It? And Why I Started It”. That post will give you some background into this blog and a little more in-depth explanation of my Weekly Fun Plans and how to use them. 

This Week’s Theme: Joy in the New Year!

As this year comes to an end, let’s ring in the beginning of a new year by learning about and celebrating the true joy that only Jesus can give! This week’s Bible lesson will talk about just that, and all our craft, snack, and activity ideas are going to be “New Year’s Eve” themed. If you try anything in this week’s plan don’t forget to share your experiences on social media! Tag us @faithfilledfun on Instagram or use #faithfilledfun. New Weekly Fun Plans drop each Monday so stay up to date with the blog each week by subscribing to my email list!

Bible Lesson: What to Read or Watch this week

Since this week we are covering the topic of “Joy”, here are some great resources to read/watch:

If you have young children (ages 0-8): 

joy for kids by minno on youtube

If you have older children/teens (ages 9-18):

  • Read or have them read the same verses listed above in their own personal study time and take notes on what they’ve learned or what they feel God is trying to teach them.

Bible Lesson: Questions to Ask Your Kids/Discuss this week

If you read the recommended Bible verses or watched the YouTube video your kids should be able to answer this week’s question:

Where does our true joy come from? Answer “True joy comes from knowing and loving Jesus!”

If you have little ones (ages 0-8):

I would focus on that one question this week, and work on having them memorize the answer. Ask them that same question every morning or evening and see if they can remember the answer. 

If you have older children (ages 9-18):

Here are some additional questions you can discuss with them throughout the week:

  • How can we focus on the true joy that God gives us?
  • How can we share that joy with other people?

Bible Lesson: Memory Verse

Memorizing scripture is vital to teaching our children at a young age. Recalling and reciting scripture that they’ve memorized will help them as they grow and go through trials in life. It will also encourage them, equip them to go out and be little disciples of Jesus, and strengthen their faith as they age.

This week let’s have your kids work on memorizing Psalm 16:11 or as much of it as they can.

Psalm 16:11 "You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.

Memorizing scripture is so much easier for kids if you can find a way to make it fun. Here are some different ideas to try as a family to help memorize this week’s verse:

  • Come up with some simple motions for each word of the verse and make a cheer or dance out of it.
  • Come up with your own melody and create a song out of it.
  • Make it a game. Start by saying one word or phrase of the verse at a time and have your kids repeat after you until you’ve gotten through the whole verse. Then repeat the process saying the words differently every time. Examples: slow, fast, in a silly voice, quiet, loud, etc.

Once your child/children have got it, I recommend practicing reciting the verse each morning over breakfast or before they leave for school and maybe even again before bed. Make it a part of your routine and you’ll be amazed at how fast they will begin to pick it up.

Supplies needed for this week’s activities

Here is a quick list of all the supplies that you will need to complete all the suggested crafts, activities, and snacks for this week’s plan. For a list of my most used craft supplies, and things I will be utilizing often in future Weekly Fun Plans be sure to check out my Links page.

Recipe: Pretzel Stick Sparklers

This week’s recipe is the perfect appetizer for a New Year’s Eve party or a fun sweet treat for you and your kids. Recreate some festive party sparklers with these Pretzel Stick Sparklers. 

Steps: 
  • Melt a bowl of chocolate chips in the microwave first for 30 seconds, then continue with 15-second increments until completely melted, stirring each time. (If you have coconut oil, add a spoonful to your chocolate chips for a smoother, easier melt)
  • Coat your pretzel rods in the melted chocolate, covering a little more than half of the pretzel.
  • While the chocolate is still wet, decorate it with some sprinkles (if you have New Year’s Eve-type sprinkles like stars, gold, or silver, even better) and place it on parchment paper to cool and harden. Once hardened, enjoy!
chocolate covered pretzels made to look like sparklers for new year's eve

Crafts:

For this week’s crafts, we are making “New Year’s Handprint Art” and “New Year’s Eve Poppers”. Both crafts are a great way to keep your kids busy while waiting for the countdown and will probably bring them some joy to make.

New Year’s Handprint Art:

Our first craft this week brings all the sparkle and color you would expect in a New Year’s Eve craft with a signature sentimental twist of handprints. Follow the link for easy step-by-step instructions for this New Year’s Handprint Art!

New Year’s Eve Poppers:

For our second craft this week, we have these festive and fun New Year’s Eve Poppers. This craft is easy to make and your kids will love celebrating the New Year with an explosion of pom poms and/or confetti! Follow the link for an easy step-by-step guide.

new year's eve popper

Activities:

With our theme this week “Joy in the New Year” here are a few extra ideas for activities to do with your children:

  • Watch an old ball drop/countdown on YouTube and do a party with your kids without staying up until midnight OR stay up late and watch the actual ball drop.
  • Make a DIY balloon drop at home by blowing up a bunch of extra balloons and taping a sheet or towel to the ceiling to secure them until it’s time to drop the balloons.
  • Make a New Year’s goals/resolutions list together as a family.

Parenting Tip of the Week:

One easy way we can help our children build a strong foundation of faith is through the music we listen to in our homes and in the car. It can be such a passive activity having music on in the background while we cook dinner, while they play with their toys, or while we drive them to school or practice, but it can make such an impact. Fill your home with praise and worship music whenever possible. You’ll see the greatest effects of this when you suddenly hear your children singing along to the words of your favorite worship song. Check out my Spotify for playlists I’ve created specifically with Christian Songs for Kids and My Current Worship Favs to play in our home!

Prayers:

Lastly, I like to end each Weekly Fun Plan with some example prayers for your week. One is to pray with your kids, maybe before they get on the bus in the morning, before a meal, or before bed, and the other prayer is for you, the parent, to pray over your kids throughout the week.

pray

Prayer to say with your kids this week: 

Dear God, Thank You for the true joy that comes from knowing and loving Jesus. Help me to share that joy with others. Amen.

Prayer to pray over your kids this week: 

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for the true joy that only comes from knowing and loving Christ. When life gets tough for me or my family this year, help to remind me that our joy is not circumstantial and guide me as I continue to share your true joy with my kids. Lord, lead our family as we start this new year. May we glorify you with our words and actions every day. Amen.

I hope you have an amazing week and don’t forget to subscribe to my email list and follow me on Instagram @faithfilledfun to stay up to date with the blog!

Similar Posts