Activity time: 5 minutes Preparation for Activity Read the description of this activity to ground your understanding of what "magic" means in a pagan Unitarian Universalist context. Description of Activity Gather the group in a circle. Ask the children what they think magic is. Take a few answers.

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of the story "The Perfect Peace Harvest" A chime, rain stick or other calming sound instrument Optional: A drum Optional: Fidget object basket (Session 2, Leader Resource 2) Preparation for Activity Read the story a few times, paying special...

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity A large basket Objects related to the story "The Perfect Peace Harvest," such as pictures of peace signs, a pentacle (pagan symbol of the five elements: spirit, fire, water, air, and earth), a drum or cymbals A chime, rain stick or other calming sou...

Activity time: 8 minutes Preparation for Activity Read Leader Resource 2. If possible, invite a pagan in your congregation to lead the spiral dance. You may wish to ask your minister or director of religious education to suggest someone who could lead the dance. Obtain a variety of percussion...

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Faithful Journeys Path (Session 1, Leader Resource 2) Cutouts of footprints and (optional) wheelchair tracks, at least one for each participant, in a variety of colors (Session 1, Leader Resources 3 and 4) Markers Push pins, glue stick or tape...

Activity time: 7 minutes Materials for Activity Faithful Journeys Path Signpost for Session 7 (Leader Resource 1), and pins, glue stick, or tape Copies of Session 1, Leader Resource 8, UU Principles Song, for all participants Optional: Newsprint, markers and tape Preparation for Activity Print ou...

Materials for Activity Leader Resource 3, Magic Month Letter to Parents Preparation for Activity With your minister and director of religious education, select a month for Magic Month (March and May make for good alliteration). Adapt Leader Resource 3 and send it to parents a few weeks before the...

Activity time: 2 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice candle or LED/battery-operated candle Lighter and extinguisher, if needed Newsprint, markers and tape Posters of the Unitarian Universalist Principles in both adult and children's language, or copies of Session 1, Handout 1 for all participa...

"Mama, Mama, why do we just keep going and going and not going anywhere?" asked little Sophie. Her family was crossing the wide Pacific Ocean on a big ship bound for America. Sophie Lyon was an American girl, three and a half years old, making her first trip to America. She and her older brothers...

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Blank paper and crayons, markers or pastels Music without lyrics (classical, jazz, world music instrumental, etc.) and appropriate music player (Note: Choose music you feel evokes mystery and wonder.) Preparation for Activity Set out art supplies so...

Activity time: 5 minutes Preparation for Activity Choose a location for your walking meditation, preferably an outdoor area with few distractions. Obtain permission to take children outdoors, and make sure you have an adequate number of adults to accompany the group....

Activity time: 7 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of "The Summer's Day" by Mary Oliver, or another poem. "Pied Beauty" by Gerard Manley Hopkins is a more difficult poem, yet with a lovely sound and rhythm children may appreciate. Optional: Blank paper, pencils, and crayons or markers for all...

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A small, low-sided box, such as a shoe box, for each child Play sand (available at hardware stores) or unscented clay kitty litter and a scoop Small items such as attractive stones, acorns, shells, etc., a handful for each participant Plastic forks...

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Music without lyrics (classical, jazz, etc.) and appropriate music player Preparation for Activity Choose music conducive to slow, contemplative movement. Description of Activity Tell the children: Many people think of spiritual activities as quiet...

Activity time: 8 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of Singing the Living Tradition or Leader Resource 3, Sing and Rejoice Newsprint, markers and tape Preparation for Activity Learn the song "Sing and Rejoice," Hymn 395 in Singing the Living Tradition. Hear Rev. Lynn Ungar sing the song. Make...

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity A large basket Objects related to the story "Learning by Heart," such as a picture of Sophia Lyon Fahs (Leader Resource 2) or one of her many books A chime, rain stick, or other calming sound instrument Optional: Box or small table and a decorative...

Activity time: 8 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of Leader Resource 1, Yoga Pose Optional: Notes/illustrations to help you lead additional yoga poses Optional: Yoga DVDs/videos and appropriate player(s) Preparation for Activity Find a large, carpeted area or obtain small rugs or yoga mats f...

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Faithful Journeys Path (Session 1, Leader Resource 2) Cutouts of footprints and (optional) wheelchair tracks, at least one for each participant, in a variety of colors (Session 1, Leader Resources 3 and 4) Markers Push pins, glue stick or tape...

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Yoga mats, small rugs or a carpeted space large enough for all participants A copy of Leader Resource 1, Yoga Pose, and other yoga pose notes/illustrations, as needed Preparation for Activity Participants must be familiar with yoga poses used in...

"So, Ray," asked his mother, "what do you want for your birthday?" It was a surprisingly hard question to answer. What did he want for his birthday? "I don't know, Mom. Can I get back to you on that one?" Ray grabbed his skateboard and went out to the driveway to think as he rode....