St. Michael the Archangel is a warrior who fights evil. He is a protector. Children can understand St. Michael as a spiritual superhero whose nemesis is Satan. He is often depicted dressed in armor, but maybe a cape would be more representative of St. Michael's role to today's youth. The feast day of the archangels is September 29.

Bail the Ship is a fun large group game. It pits two groups against each other and burns off a lot of energy. I have seen it played at Vacation Bible School and at camp. It's always a lot of fun!

A Christian Is Like a Jack O Lantern

Here is a cute story about why being a Christian is like being a Jack O Lantern. Share it with your children while you are carving a pumpkin for your own Jack O Lantern. Little children will be especially excited to share this with their friends.

Fox and Chickens Tag (Game for Youth Ministry or VBS)

This is a variation on tag which the person who is it tries to tag the last person in line. The people at the front of the line try to protect the last person. This game could be used with a theme of how God protects us and loves us even better than a mother hen protects her chicks. Or it could be used for a social justice theme about protecting the marginalized.

Make a Good Deeds Chain

A good deeds chain is a simple paper chain, but you must do a good deed for each piece of paper you add. Make a long chain this advent!

Glow in the Dark Sidewalk Chalk

Glow in the dark sidewalk chalk is a fun addition to an nighttime activity. You can use it to welcome youth to the event, write inspirational messages, or let your participants have a creative outlet.

Youth Prayer to St. George for Courage

Pray this intercessory prayer to St. George when you need the strength and courage to resist evil and stand up for what is right. This prayer is written with youth in mind and the types of experiences they have in their daily lives.

Anselm’s Prayer – Teach My Heart Where and How to Seek You

St. Anselm of Canterbury was a Benedictine monk and theologian. His feast day is April 21. Anslem's Prayer is a good prayer to say before reading scripture. It would also work well will a discussion of discernment or discipleship.

Have a Birthday Party for the Church (Youth Ministry Meeting Plan)

Pentecost is just around the corner and it is, of course, the birthday of the Church. Introduce this idea at your youth ministry meeting by having a birthday party for the church. Then use the reflection questions to help your teens go deeper into the idea of how they are sent to share the good news, just like the disciples. #Pentecost #HolySpirit

Pirate Peg Legged Race

The Pirate Peg Legged Race is basically a three legged relay race with a few other things thrown in for some pirate fun! There is the standard version and a wet watery version. #ShipwreckedVBS #VBS #YouthMinistry #YouthGroup

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name… (The Lord’s Prayer)

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. - Matthew 6:9-13

Tiger Tail (for VBS or Youth Ministry)

Tiger Tail is a human pinata game for your Vacation Bible School, youth ministry, or youth group. In this game, the tiger throws candy when one of the youth catches it. #YouthGroup #VBS #YouthMinistry #RoarVBS

Go See a Christmas Light Display

So spend a little time looking at the lights. Go see a large Christmas light display somewhere or just drive around your neighborhood and see how beautiful it looks. After you see some great displays, remind your family what the Bible says in John 8:12 - "When Jesus spoke to the people again, he said: I am the light of the world; anyone who follows me will not be walking in the dark, but will have the light of life."

Toothpick Sculptures, Models, or Constructions

Hands on activities are fun for youth ministry or Vacation Bible School (VBS). One way to incorporate a fun activity is to have students make toothpick sculptures or models to represent your theme. Here are some ideas for items which can be used as materials.

Recycled Rain-Gutter Regatta

We did a recycled rain-gutter regatta at our middle school VBS last year. Many of the student said this was their favorite activity of the week. They made boats from materials destined for the trash or recycle bin. Then they raced them down a couple of rain-gutters filled with water.

I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven

And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. . #Catholic #Pope #KeysOfHeaven #ChairOfStPeter

Make a Jesse Tree

A Jesse tree is a traditional Advent craft which shows the relationship of Jesus to famous people from the bible. Every day you read the story of somebody related to Jesus from the Bible and hang an ornament on the tree with a symbol which represents the person you just read about. This helps our families understand our salvation history and that God has been working with a purpose through the ages to bring about our salvation.

Treasure Islands (Game for VBS or Church Camp)

Treasure Islands is a game very like Musical Chairs. Use it for your pirate or nautical themed Vacation Bible School , church camp, or youth group party. For younger VBS groups you can put the "islands" closer together. For older students, place them farther apart so they have to do a little running. #ShipwreckedVBS #VBS #PirateParty #ChurchCamp

Pictionary (Youth Ministry Game)

Pictionary is warm up game to play with your youth group. You can use words with are related to the theme of the meeting. Teens love this game!

Mutiny (Human Pinata Game for VBS or Youth Group)

Mutiny is a game which I have also heard called "human pinata". In this game, the little pirates chase around the captain and steal his candy. This is a great outdoor game for VBS or youth group. If you play this for a themed vacation bible school or youth ministry meeting, have the captain dress up if possible. #ShipwreckedVBS #VBS #YouthMinistry #YouthGroup

Wild Wet Wiffle Ball

Wild Wet Wiffle Ball is a fun summer option for a youth group game. It is just like regular wiffle ball, only wetter.

Lenten Activities: Make a Prayer Chain

A prayer chain puts our prayers in a tangible form. For children, this can be a good way to teach about the different types of prayer. #prayer #YouthGroup #YouthMinistry #ReligiousEd #CCD #PSR #VBS

People Sort Activity

This is an activity which can be used as an icebreaker or opening activity for a youth group meeting focused on human dignity, immigration, or institutional racism. Use the debrief time to have an honest discussion about why we group people by race rather than other characteristics.

All Together Now: A Lesson Plan on Racism

Racism can be a difficult topic to discuss with teens. It is popular to think that we are "color blind". But the fact is that the playing field is not level and that minorities do not have the same advantages as the majority. This lesson plan introduces the topic of institutional racism.

Reflection Questions for the Story of the Samaritan Woman at the Well

There are several different aspects of the story of the woman at the well which are interesting to reflect upon. Here are some questions for different ways to look at this story. These can be used to help facilitate group discussion or for starters for journaling.

Davy Jones Locker (Game for VBS or Camp)

Davy Jones Locker is a simple game for young children at Vacation Bible School or church camp. In this game you fish men and treasure out of the sea. Even the youngest children at VBS will enjoy this one. Everyone gets to keep whatever they fish out. #ShipwreckedVBS #VBS #campgames #churchcamp

Sing Some Christmas Carols

We went to the annual Festival of Lessons and Carols last night at our kid's grade school. They put on a very nice presentation of carols and Bible readings. It made me think about how much caroling can help us think about the coming of the Christ child.

Cork Ship in a Bottle Craft for VBS or Youth Ministry

This is a simple ship in a bottle craft, not the type that takes days and days. It is easy to make. The kids can take it home and use it as a centerpiece for any nautical themed Vacation Bible School or youth group meeting. #ShipwreckedVBS #VBS #YouthGroup #YouthMinistry

Inspired By You Letters (Youth Ministry Activity)

Inspired By You letters give teens an opportunity to reflect on a person who has inspired them. They are also an opportunity to inspire themselves! This activity goes well with a meeting focused on the Holy Spirit or on Scripture as the inspired Word of God. It could also be used as part of a Confirmation program.

I Gotta Go Game (for Youth Ministry)

This game is really funny and teens love it. It looks like a kid trying to get to the bathroom "in time". Use it for fun or with a youth group meeting focused on babies or pro-life issues or even Advent or Christmas.

Lenten Activities: Attend Stations of the Cross

Stations of the Cross are a lovely Lenten tradition. It the devotion, we make the journey to Calvary with our Lord Jesus Christ, focusing on how he suffered for us and his interactions with those he met on the way. #Lent #prayer #StationsOfTheCross

Seeing the Big Picture Youth Ministry Game

Sometimes we don't see "the big picture". That makes it difficult for us to understand why the Holy Spirit is leading us somewhere unfamiliar or why the Church has a teaching. This game is designed to help youth understand that it can be disorienting or difficult to understand something if we only see it from a small perspective.

Video Clips and Music about Authenticity and Being Yourself

This is a small collection of video clips and music about authenticity and being your true self. Use these with your youth ministry or youth group meeting. #authenticity #BeYourself #YouthMinistry #YouthGroup

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

December 8 is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This holy day is often misunderstood. It celebrates the conception of Mary, not Jesus.

Sts. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels

The archangels are leaders of angels in the army of God. These three archangels are mentioned in scripture. Their feast day is on September 29.

Sunday Mass – A Gift Or An Obligation?

Is getting your family to Sunday mass a chore or a gift? Do the teens in your life resist joining you in the pew every Sunday?

Crown the King (VBS Game or Youth Ministry Game)

Or maybe it should be called "Uncrown the King" because the goal is to knock off other player's crowns and keep your own. This is an active game, so it is best played outdoors, in a gym, or in a meeting room with some open space.

Pray for Military Chaplains

January 26 is the Feast of Sts. Timothy and Titus. St. Titus is the patron saint of the US Army Chaplain Corps. (There is even an official award named after him.) So on his feast day, it is appropriate to say a prayer for army chaplains.

Lent

Lent is a time to answer the call to conversion. Catholics practice self discipline by abstaining from meat on Fridays and making other small sacrifices.