Tapestry of Faith: Wonderful Welcome: A Program for Children Grades K-1

Activity 1: Wonder Box

Activity time: 5 minutes

Materials for Activity

  • Wonder Box (See Session 1 for instructions.)
  • Leader Resource 1, Platypus Picture

Preparation for Activity

  • Print Leader Resource 1, Platypus Picture, and place it in the Wonder Box.

Description of Activity

With the children still in a circle, ask them to guess what could be in this big, beautifully wrapped box. Take some guesses. Then, open the box, take out the platypus and say something like:

Does anyone know what this is? Have you seen this someplace before?

The children may recognize the animal as a platypus; if not, allow a few guesses. Then say:

This is a platypus. What do you notice about this animal?

Elicit responses. Affirm that a platypus is furry and has a duck bill and webbed feet. It is unlike any other animal on earth. Each of its features is crucial for its survival, even though we may consider the animal "funny" or "strange." Say:

Our Unitarian Universalist congregation is open to anyone who wants to try to live by our Principles. In fact, our first Principle says that every person is important. Even if someone were a platypus, if they believed that every person - and platypus - is important, they could certainly be part of our congregation. It's nice to know that everyone who wants to be here can belongs.