Games for Little Ones

To make the fishing rods, tie lengths (about one metre) of thin string to the end of the wooden dowels and either tie or glue small magnets to the other end.

Print out the fish pattern onto card.  Cut out twenty or more fish and fasten a paper clip to the mouth of each.

Children hold the fishing rod and drop the magnet close to a fish's mouth.  The paper clip will cling to the magnet and allow the kids to haul in the fish they have caught!

Scatter the fish on a mat (the sea) and let the children stand at the edge (on the shore) and try to catch as many fish as they can.   They must stand upright while fishing and must not bend over or hold the line in their hands.

The child who catches the most fish is the winner.  End off with a snack of marshmallow fish and a cold-drink!

One day Jesus was standing by the sea of Galilee (Luke 5:1-11) and saw two boats at the water's edge where fishermen were washing their nets.  Jesus got into the boat belonging to Simon Peter, and asked him row out a little from shore.  Jesus sat in the boat and taught the people.  When He finished, He said to Simon, "Pull out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch of fish."

Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and didn't catch anything, but because You say so, I will let down the nets."   When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.  So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them.  They came and then filled both boats so full that they began to sink!

When Simon Peter saw this, he was afraid and fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!"  But Jesus replied, "Don't be afraid, Simon, from now on you will catch men."  The men then pulled their boats up on the shore, left everything and followed Jesus.

Simon Peter became a "Fisher of Men" and went on the serve God and win many people for Jesus.  Jesus also wants you to become a "Fisher of Kids" by telling your friends that Jesus loves them!

God bless.