Three Ways to Encourage Awana Kids to Be Proud Sparkies
Bio: Sarah Curtis likes to say she was “born into Awana,” since her mom, an Awana secretary for 30 years, went into labor with her during club. She recognizes the privilege it was to grow up in Awana, as the verses she memorized as a Cubbie through Guards (the girls’ program that preceded today’s T&T) are the ones still in her heart. She and her husband, David, raise their three children (one Sparkie and two T&Ters) in San Antonio, Texas.
Yesterday, Sparks leader Sarah Curtis shared how Awana cultivates a Christ-centered identity in children. Your ministry gives every child a place to belong! Are you looking for simple ways to create a highly relational ministry experience that will stay with kids for life? Here are some of Sarah’s favorite ideas for Sparkies.
Proud to Be a Sparky – Part 2, by Sarah Curtis
Our first club night each year, I love to share the fact that I was a Sparkie, too. Sometimes I dig out my old maroon Sparky vest from the hope chest. I make sure they know that being a Sparkie is a big deal and something to be proud of.
I want to share with you simple, fun ways to encourage your clubbers to be “Proud to be a Sparkie.”
1. Sing the Sparky theme song every week!
Knowing the theme song means you belong in the club. I can’t tell you how many times my mom and I called and sang on people’s answering machines for them so they could practice.
2. Traveling Sparky
You may be familiar with the idea of Flat Stanley, except this is with Sparky. Our kids really love this activity! I got two notebooks, put instructions in the front cover, and purchased two Sparky dolls from the Awana catalog. I sent the notebook and the doll home with a different chid each week. I start with second graders to make sure they get a chance and work my way down to the younger kids. I ask them to take an adventure with Sparky at the park, the zoo, or even the dentist. And then draw or have their parents print a photo to put in the notebook, along with a description of their adventure.
It has been a huge success. It made them think about Sparks club throughout the week. It made them eager to come back the following week, so they could bring the journal back to me. It was fun for the kids who got the book later in the year to be able to flip back to the other adventures their friends had taken with Sparky. It made them “Proud to be a Sparkie.”
3. Sparky’s Snaggletooth Club
Another super simple idea we had was to make a poster that looks like Sparky’s head with some missing front teeth. Kids in first to second grade are in the prime tooth-losing age, so they are always coming to club with new gaps in their mouths. I named this poster “Sparky’s Snaggletooth Club.” If a child lost a tooth since our last club night, they got to come up front during singing time, tell us a little bit about their tooth adventure, and sign their name on the poster. I sing a silly little song: “It’s Sparky Snaggletooth time, it’s Sparky snaggletooth time. If you have lost a tooth, you can come and join the club.”
It meant so much to them, and they really look forward to coming and telling us they lost a tooth. Toward the end of the year as parents got my phone number, I would get texts throughout the week with a picture of a kid holding up his tooth and saying, “He can’t wait until Sparks this week!”
That’s exactly what we’re going for. These projects cost close to nothing and yet they instill in the children a pride in being a Sparky. Every hour, every week you can get a kid to club is another opportunity that she has to hear the gospel and grow in her faith.
In the next blog, Sarah will share even more great tips to create a sense of belonging. This time, it’s all about the parents! Join us for part 3 to learn how you can make Awana a family event in your church.
