Charades and Spin the Human

This is so much fun.  I purchased these charade cards from "Green Jello With Carrots."  Click here.  I'm giving them a plug because they have such awesome stuff.

Here's how I used them:

I "laminated" them with clear contact paper.  Then I borrowed a swivel chair from the bishop's office, placed the cards face down all around the chair.  Then using my "choosing can" I picked kids to come sit in the chair.  With their legs straight out, I twirled the chair and whatever card was under their feet was the one the child could act out.  There are Reverent actions and Rowdy actions.  The primary kids were to guess what type of action was being portrayed.

I had brought a portable file box filled with a whole bunch of my songs and accompanying visuals.  The child then got to pick a file, and help with the visuals while we sang.  I usually am given more time on the 4th week, so we were able to get through about 7 songs.

*WARNING!  Make sure the child is holding onto the sides of the chair when twirling.  One little sunbeam twirled off the chair and halfway across the room!  Although quite hilarious, it took a while to get the kids calmed down (especially me!).  He wasn't hurt, but was laughing so hard he could hardly stand up.  Ahhhh Primary!

Props

I LOVE props!  They make singing so much more fun!  Here are a few things I have in my arsenal:

When we sing, "I Hope They Call Me On a Mission,"  the timing of the song makes me think of horses trotting along.  I found these horse heads at the dollar store.  I tell the kids that in the early days of the church, missionaries used to ride horses.  The junior primary love these, and love coming up front to ride the horses.

I Can't HEAR you!  Maybe if I use my GOOD ear. . . .

"Looking" for super singers. . . .reverent children. . . etc.

SINGING MEASLES!!

 They're catchy. . .the kind everyone wants to catch!  I walk in with "measles" all over my face, arms, etc.  Each teacher is given one of these sheets, and places measles on their children as they sing well.

SUPER SINGER STICKERS 

I found these wandering through the educational section of WalMart, (I think)  Any stickers would do, though.  These say stuff like, "Bingo," "Wow," and "Super."  

CHOOSING HELPERS

So I don't choose the same kids each week, each child's name is written on a tongue depressor.  One end is painted green, the other orange.  The green tips are the kids I haven't chosen yet.  The orange ones are those I have.  I keep them like this week after week until they're all orange-colored, then start over again. I have some for senior and some for junior primaries.

You may already be using some of the same things here.  I didn't make them up, but read them in various primary resources.  But they DO WORK!  And the kids have fun!  That's what matters. . . .