I adore the autumn season. A sweet crispness fills the air, leaves display their glorious colors, ovens are busy baking pumpkin treats, and festivals are spreading joy throughout our communities. But one thing I can also count on every year is that my two little boys will see something that completely terrifies them and ruins our beautiful sleeping pattern for weeks. Whether it be a scary decoration outside, a Halloween themed kids’ show, a movie commercial, or a frightening costume, nowhere is safe.
While sometimes I wish we could live under a rock (I love sleeping), this is obviously just not possible. Our sweet little ones will be exposed to the spooky and scary this time of year. So, what can we do about it? Can Jesus really be a part of this season? Of course! Below, you will find four activities to help shine Christ’s light into what can feel like a very dark holiday season.
Four Activities to Help Shine Christ’s Light
1. Memorize a “NO FEAR” Verse
Sometimes, Scripture memorization helps our little ones remember they aren’t alone in their fear! When they are frightened, say a Bible verse with them to remind them of God’s power over darkness. Discuss these verses, sing them, or create motions to go along with the words. A couple of verses to get you started are:
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.”
Psalm 56:3
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.”
1 John 4:18
Want to go a little deeper in your study? Check out this five-lesson Fall Bible study to guide you and your little ones closer to Jesus.
2. Carve a Gospel Pumpkin
We love a good carving session over at our house. Something about playing in those pumpkin guts just really excites my children. I was introduced to the “Gospel pumpkin” a few years ago, and now we look forward to this tradition every year!
- Open up the pumpkin–Discuss how the outside of the pumpkin is so nice looking, but when we open it up, it reveals yucky guts!
- Take out the guts–Discuss how these guts are like our sin. They feel yucky, and that’s how God feels about our sin!
- Wash guts off hands–Talk about how gross it feels to have these guts stuck on our hands. We can’t get it all the way off without water. Jesus is like the water who purifies us and cleans all the sin away!
- Cleaning the pumpkin–Talk about how when we repent and ask Jesus to be Lord of our lives, we can be cleaned like this pumpkin.
- Carve the pumpkin–Use a Christian Pumpkin poem to discuss Christian symbols, or just carve a happy face!
- Light it up–Now that we are clean, it is our job to spread this Good News to others! We get to shine the LIGHT of the world!
3. Bake Treats for Neighbors
Don’t want to trick-or-treat, but still want to interact with neighbors? Bake or make a treat to share and deliver it to them personally. Some ideas include mini-chocolate chip pumpkin breads, fall-inspired trail mix, apple cider cookies, or orange Rice Krispie® treats shaped like pumpkins.
Out of ALL the activities we do, my boys love this one the most. It has given them the opportunity to learn what it feels like to give to others, why it is imperative to know your neighbors, and how to meet new people. Of course, always go with them, and skip the spooky houses!
4. Create a Thankful Pumpkin
I know what you’re thinking, start a thankful pumpkin in October? YES! Start now. All you do is write one thing you are thankful for on your pumpkin every day until Thanksgiving. If you have smaller children, grab one big pumpkin and do it together. With older children, allow them to have their own pumpkins to write on each day. Use these pumpkins as decorations for your Thanksgiving feast as you discuss what each of you is thankful for. When we focus on our blessings, it is a lot easier to face our fears and trust in Jesus.
If your children are like mine and need a little more thankfulness training, check out this week-long Gratefulness journal to hone this skill with your kids.
Whether you’re a trick or treating family or not, more Jesus can always be a part of this season of newness and change. I pray you find peace and hope as you participate in these activities with your family. Happy Fall, friends!
