There’s nothing like a fun activity with kids to help everyone get into the Christmas spirit. And when the excitement also leads to those children learning and growing spiritually, that’s even better.
Perhaps one of the most important lessons a child can learn at Christmas comes from the teachings of Christ Himself in Acts 20:35: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
What a joy it can be to see the proverbial lightbulb go off over a child’s head as he or she realizes that, as fun as it is to get presents, giving them is even better. It’s equally rewarding to see children learn how important it is to be generous, and then to understand why we give presents at Christmas to begin with: Because God loved us so much that He sent Jesus, so we celebrate His birthday by showing His love to others.
For any parent or grandparent who wants to give this life-changing gift to the children they love this Christmas season, the fun activity below is for you.
Gather supplies and follow these instructions to make a super cool piggy bank. Children can use it to save money they earn to buy Christmas gifts this year. While you cut out shapes and glue on pieces, use this time together to start a conversation about generosity and why it’s so important. And then take advantage of the Kidz List in the FH Gift Catalog as a way to put into practice what they’ve learned by earning, saving, and giving generously in totally attainable ways.
Fun Activity: Create Your Own Piggy Bank
SUPPLIES YOU’LL NEED:
- Empty, large-diameter plastic bottle (such as a 2 liter soda bottle or a 1.5 liter water bottle), washed out and dried, with cap on
- Construction paper
- White school glue
- Regular or double-sided tape
- 4 extra plastic bottle caps
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Using a hole punch, punch two circles out of construction paper to be used to create the pig’s eyes and two more circles for the snout.
2. Glue two of the circles onto the cap on the bottle to create the snout.
3. Using double-sided tape, attach construction paper around the middle of the bottle for the body.
4. Add legs by gluing the 4 extra plastic bottle caps to the bottom of the bottle.
5. Cut out a hole into the top of the bottle for inserting coins (an adult will need to help with this step!)
6. Make two ears for the piggy by cutting small shapes out of construction paper.
7. Use the glue to attach the ears onto the top of the bottle near the snout-end.
8. Take your two leftover circles from step one and glue them to the bottle to create eyes. (See photo)
9. Earn money and place the coins into into the piggy bank. Watch as the amount grows!
10. Use the money you’ve saved to buy gifts from the FH Gift Catalog. Make sure to checkout the Kidz List for great, affordable ideas.
Generosity Conversation Starters
While crafting your DIY piggy bank with the kids in your life, be sure to talk about why you’re doing this fun activity and the importance of generosity. Here are a few ice-breakers to get the conversation going:
- What’s your favorite gift you’ve ever received? What was your favorite gift that you’ve ever given?
- Which is more fun: Giving a gift or receiving one? How does it make you feel?
- What do you think makes a good gift to give to someone? (Why is it a good gift? How much does it cost?)
- Why do you think we give gifts at Christmas? (Talk about the Christmas story and how giving gifts is a way to honor God’s gift of love: Jesus.)
- Who are you giving Christmas gifts to this year? (Friends, family members, neighbors, teachers, pastors, those in need?)
- What gifts do you want to give? (Scroll through the FH Gift Catalog, especially the Kidz List, for ideas.)
- Which would you rather do: Have me give you money to buy gifts, or earn money yourself to buy gifts? How does it make you feel?
- How are you going to earn money for the gifts you’ve picked? (Bake cookies, do extra chores, sell old toys, start a gift-wrapping business, etc.)
- When people open your gifts, how do you think they’re going to feel? (How will their friends or family feel when they learn you are giving a gift in their honor? What do you think the children will say when the gifts arrive?)
- How will you feel when you give these gifts?
More Fun Activities for Encouraging Generosity
The joy of generosity can be addicting. To find even more fun activities to keep the excitement going, visit the Kidz Zone. There you’ll find:
- Printable coloring pages showing animals you can give from the Gift Catalog.
- Fun activity page with eye spy, a scavenger hunt, and more.
- The whole Kidz List of gifts (including a duck, maize seeds, a Bible story book, and more) that kids can earn and save for all by themselves.
Plus, kids who are giving gifts in honor of a loved one will also be able to download and print DIY gift cards from the Kidz Zone. They can then decorate their card and let a friend, grandparent, teacher, or other recipient know about the gift given on their behalf. It’s a great way to share the joy of generosity with others at Christmas.
You can also check out some of our favorite stories of children and families using items from the Gift Catalog, linked below. You can use these when you talk to your children or grandchildren about the people who will receive their gifts. They’ll be so encouraged when they see the difference they can make by giving this Christmas.
Stories of Families Receiving Gift Catalog Items
Cows Make the Perfect Christmas Gift
From Food Shortage to Surplus — A Family Garden was the Answer
