High-Energy Elementary Game for All Saints’ Day

In this game, kids use their noses to carry cotton balls across a line. This is a great experience to include for All Saints’ Day!

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2

You’ll need:

• Bible
• cotton balls
• petroleum jelly
• masking tape
• baby wipes

Prep:

Clear a playing area and set out the supplies. Make a masking tape line about five feet from a wall. Spread the cotton balls along the wall.

Cotton Ball Race

Give each child a chance to carry cotton balls across a line and drop them. Kids will try to carry as many cotton balls as they can within a one-minute time limit. Sound easy? Not too difficult? Well, there’s a catch. Kids may carry the cotton balls only on their noses.

Help each child smear some petroleum jelly on his or her nose. Then ask kids to get on their hands and knees and poke their noses onto cotton balls on the floor. When a child gets a cotton ball to stick, the child will crawl to the line and disengage the cotton by blowing. Kids may use their hands for nothing but crawling.

All Saints’ Day Connection

At the end of the game, count the cotton balls and wipe off noses. Then discuss the following questions to connect the game and Scripture to All Saints’ Day.

Ask:

• What was easy about this game? difficult?
• What’s the best tip you have to give someone to successfully do this game?

Read Hebrews 12:1-2.

Say: Just before these verses, the writer of Hebrews lists people from the past whose faith in God helped them do difficult things. Remembering the “huge crowd of witnesses” and their lives of faith can help us when things get tough.

Ask:

• According to this verse, who helps us through difficult times?

Say: All throughout history, people have believed in and kept their eyes on Jesus. And we can, too! We can keep going and not give up. No matter what difficulties we face, we know heaven waits for all who believe.

This game comes from The Humongous Book of Games for Children’s Ministry. Filled with over 200 games, you’re sure to find a fun and age-appropriate experience to fit your lesson. Looking for more ideas? Check out these posts!