Resources for you and your children

Below are a number of resources that I hope will be useful to you and your children during this time. Whilst I have tried to recommend resources that I have come across/used personally, I am not able to check through all the content on all of the links below. Please ensure that any resources you show your children are appropriate for them. If you have any suggestions for resources to go on this page please let me know - email beth@riverchurch.org.uk

Stories

Only a Boy by Scott McLachlan, is a series of nine books which tell biblical stories from a slightly different perspective – that of a young boy.

Written originally as a “read to” book, for Fathers to read to their own children, it tackles well-known events with the aim of encouraging questions, developing an understanding of some of the scriptural principles involved.

Scott say, "I originally started to write these at a time when my own son was around ten years old, when I felt the books we had were insufficient in their level of challenge to his understanding. I read to him before bed each night and began to explore the possibility of writing my own material."

We are immensely privileged that Scott has chosen to share these stories with us - we hope you are blessed by them. We will be releasing a new story every week.

Only a Boy Series
Parmashta's Pride	Click here to download the story	Click here for some fun activities relating to the story
Shady & Mad Neb	Click here to download the story	Click here for some fun activities relating to the story
The Packed Lunch Factory	Click here to download the story
Challenge of the Champions	Click here to download the story	Click here for some fun activities relating to the story
Rants & Underpants	Click here to download the story
Zappy the Egyptian	Click here to download the story

Rend Co Kids Family Devotionals

Great devotionals to do together as a family, tied in with one of Rend Collectives kids songs. Craft ideas, prayer suggestions and discussion questions all included!

Lighthouse	Click here to download	Click here to watch the music video
Fun	Click here to download	Click here to watch the music video
Feels Good!	Click here to download	Click here to watch the music video
King of me!	Click here to download	Click here to watch the music video
King of me! (part 2)	Click here to download	Click here to watch the music video
King of me! (part 3)	Click here to download	Click here to watch the music video

TV Series

Recommended Age	Name	Website	Description
6-10	Friends & Heroes	Amazon - 1st episode free with Prime	Friends and Heroes traces the tale of two friends, Macky and Portia, whose adventures lead them across the ancient world as they fight for justice and even survival against the might of the Roman Empire. There is also a great website where the kids can play games and do activities linked to the episodes!
4-9	The Story Keepers	All episodes available for free on YouTube	A children's animated adventure series which tells the story of the adventure of four children on the run from persecution in Nero's Rome. They are hidden in a bakery by Ben, a Christian Baker, who tells them stories of the life of Jesus.
6+	Superbook	The first 13 episodes are available for free on YouTube	Superbook teaches children timeless moral truths and life lessons through the captivating, Bible-based adventures of two time-traveling children and their robot friend. The first three seasons are available on the Superbook website as well as games and activities for the children to interact with - registration is required.

Apps

Recommended Age	Name	Website	Description
2-6	Beginners Bible App	Available for iPhone/ipad	The bestselling Bible storybook of all time is now available in an iPad app that includes narration, music, and sound effects that help bring 94 Bible stories to life like never before. With Bible characters you can touch, colouring pages, puzzles, and games, this app brings God's Word to children ages 2-6 in an engaging and interactive way.
4-8	The Bible App for Kids	Available for all smartphones/tablets	Through interactive adventures and beautiful animations, kids explore the big stories of the Bible
8-11	The Guardians of Ancora	Available for all smartphones/tablets	Explore the ancient world of the Bible, meet Jesus and return light to the city of Ancora. Guardians of Ancora is a fun, epic parkour adventure game where players have to run, jump, roll and slide their way through stories of the Bible where they’ll meet Jesus and experience the miracles he performed.

'Chat Mats'

Bible Chat Mat allows people of all ages to read the Bible and have conversation together, whether around a meal table, sitting on the sofa or wherever works best. The sheets can be coloured and doodled on, allowing you to respond to the Bible story in your own unique way. Bible Chat Mats commissioned by the Diocese of Bath and Wells (click here for more info).

Instructions	Click Here
Jesus the Builder	Click Here
Jesus the Chef	Click Here
Jesus the Friend	Click Here
Jesus the Good Shepherd	Click Here
Jesus the Healer	Click Here
Jesus the Miracle Maker	Click Here
Jesus the Sailor	Click Here
Jesus the Teacher	Click Here
Jesus the Storyteller	Click Here
Jesus the Gardener	Click Here
It's Harvest	Click Here

Kids Worship

Recommended Age	Name	Website	Description
4+	Hillsong Kids	YouTube video	One hour or kids praise music from Hillsong Kids! From every album going back to 2003 Jesus is my Superhero!
4+	Bethel Kids	YouTube Playlist	A great YouTube playlist full of Bethel kids songs and music videos - great to dance and sing along to!
4+	Rend Collective	Facebook Page	Rend Collective run 'Socially Distant Worship Club' throughout the week, hosted live on Facebook. Follow their page for dates and times!
	Rend Co Kids	YouTube playlist	Rend Co Kids is part of Rend Collective's ministry creating music that both kids and adults will love and be encouraged by.

Object lessons

Fun ways of demonstrating biblical principles to your children using objects found around the home

Object Needed	Theme	Link
Backpack & Heavy books	Worry	Click here
Blindfold (or scarf) and a chair	Faith	Click here
Toothpaste	Words - Thinking before we speak	Click here
An egg & a microwave messy warning	Forgiveness	Click here
Two oranges & a bowl of water	The Armour of God	Click here
Pepper & soap/washing up liquid	The Gospel	Click here

Resources for parents

Name	Website	Description
Parenting for Faith	parentingforfaith.org	God has placed you in your child’s life and you are perfectly positioned to parent them for faith, just as you are right now. We want you to feel confident, equipped and resourced, and help you discover what it looks like to help your children and teens be connected to God in the everyday. Parenting for Faith provides loads of resources and keys tools to help you find the best way to parent for faith. Why not check out their podcast
Ministry to Children	ministry-to-children.com/talking-to-kids-about-coronavirus/	Some really helpful tips on how to talk to your children about the Coronavirus. This website is full of articles, resources, activities and videos to help parents