Shape-Up

Ice Breaker Game

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Set Up:
Using various colored markers--red, green, blue, orange, yellow, etc.-- draw a basic shape, such as a triangle, circle, square, or rectangle on an index card--one shape per card. On the back of each card draw a cross, and then cut cards in half. Make sure the horizontal bar of the cross is on the top half of the card, with the vertical bar of the cross on the lower part of the card. Make sure you have enough cards for everyone to participate.

How to Play:
As children arrive have them grab a card half. If there are leftover cards, have kids grab the remaining halves, while making sure not to grab matched cards.

At the go, children must find the child holding their shape-match. When matches are found, hand them to the teacher. Matched players must then introduce themselves and tell each other something about themselves such as where they attend school, what's their favorite color, sport, activity, talent, book they've read?, etc. You might write a few questions on the board for them to answer. If players are holding more card halves, play continues until all players have made one or more matches.

You might also decide to have players switch cards and then have them play again to find their new match.

Afterwards, have children sit in a circle and tell the other kids in the group about their match or matches.

Tell children there is something else to discover about the cards. (Distribute a few of the bottom halves of the cards to some kids.)

Say, "Our cards have different shapes, sizes, and colors. Likewise, we too come in all kinds of shapes, sizes, and colors! We discovered we have some things in common and some things are different such as our likes, talents, and abilities.

But now I want to show you something special about these cards. (Hold up the top portion of the cross. Have the children holding the bottom portion of the cards come forward. Have them take turns matching the bottom portion of their cross to the top portion of your cross.)

Say, "Look, their crosses matched mine! Some are longer, some are shorter, and even though the other side of the cards are different, the crosses match! This reminds us that when we're God's children, we are part of God's family. And as God's children, we have the most important relationship in common with one another--Jesus! God came down to earth in the form of a man. He did this because he knew we needed forgiveness for the things we do wrong. Jesus died on the cross to take the punishment for our sins. He loves us so much and wants us to love one another. Because of the cross, we are forgiven and can turn from our sins and love others, even when they look different or have different interests, talents, or abilities."

Pray: "Dear Lord, give us eyes to see, ears to hear, minds to understand, and hearts to receive your truths. Amen."

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