Want to give families in your church an opportunity to practice kindness? Make it fun with Kindness Keep-It-Up! In this family ministry activity, families try to keep a balloon in the air as they say kind and encouraging words to one another.

Set the Stage for Your Family Ministry Activity

First Thessalonians 5:11 says that we are to encourage each other and build each other up. It feels good when families lift each other up! Use the following activity at a family ministry event, meal, or service to inspire families to encourage each other.

You’ll Need:

• Bible (try this kid-friendly version!)
• inflated balloons
• plastic cones (optional)

Getting Ready:

• This activity will require an open space. Consider creating a boundary with cones.
• Set up a table near the play area.
• Put the inflated balloons on the table (enough so each family can have one).

Play “Kindness Keep-It-Up”

Gather all the families. Choose someone to read 1 Thessalonians 5:11 for the group.

Have the families discuss the following question with the members of their own family:

• Tell about a time someone said something kind and encouraging to you. How did that make you feel?

Allow time for discussion.

Say: Kind, encouraging words lift us up and make us feel happy. Now, each family will get to play a game to see what that’s like.

Share the following instructions with the whole group of families. Be sure to explain that each family will play their own game.

• Take a balloon into the playing area.
• As a family, keep the balloon up in the air and don’t let it touch the ground.
• Whoever taps the balloon up says something kind to the family member who tapped it before them.
• When the balloon touches the ground, everyone says 1 Thessalonians 5:11.

Tip for Little Ones: Young children may need help thinking of kind words. Write some ideas on a piece of paper for families to say or recruit a few volunteers to give ideas.

At the end of your time together, have families celebrate kindness by snapping a family photo.

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This family ministry activity is adapted from Team Family Book One. If you’re looking for more great ideas to minister to families year round, Team Family’s books and PowerPaks are for you!

Need more family ministry ideas? Take a look at these articles.

And check out Group’s newest family resource—Know-Me-Notes! These thoughtful sticky notes spark connection between kids & their grown-ups at home!