Alternate Activity 1: Leadership in Action - Making Name Tags for Members
Activity time: 30 minutes
Materials for Activity
- Name tags (blank) used by congregation
- Stickers, glue sticks, glitter, and other decorations for name tags
Preparation for Activity
- Arrange for the group to have a table during coffee hour.
- Assemble name tags and decorating items on a table that will be accessible to everyone who wishes to participate.
- Help children prepare their own name tags so they can wear them during the activity.
- Find out about special assistance the children might need to offer, such as assisting someone with visual, auditory, or physical impairment.
- Optional: Pre-decorate name tags for visitors.
Description of Activity
Every session offers one or more Leadership in Action (LIA) activities. In this activity, the children practice leadership skills by helping members of the congregation make and decorate name tags.
This activity is meant to be multigenerational. Encourage young children, youth, and elders to participate.
Since some congregations only have permanent name tags for adult members, this is an opportunity for the children in the congregation to have name tags for themselves. If adults already have name tags, invite them to decorate them with stickers or pictures. Make sure the children leading this activity have created and are wearing their own name tags at the start.
Beforehand, tell the children how they can offer special assistance to anyone who has visual, auditory, or physical impairment.
Before or following the activity, help the children process with the following questions:
- Why is it important that people wear name tags while at our congregation?
- Do you think name tags are welcoming? Why?
- Do you think it is important that all ages wear name tags?
Affirm that name tags are welcoming because they help us address each other by name, which feels more personal. They also help create a sense of community if everyone wears similar nametags. They can be like a uniform of the congregation.