A mouse trap can be a snap!

We had a lot of fun in our spiritual growth hour this past Sunday. I did a quick activity w/some kids. Quick summary:

• I set and then snapped a mouse trap in front of the kids (using a pen).
• Then, I asked some adults to set 10 traps and put them on the floor.
• I asked for a child to volunteer and then put a blindfold on him. (Kind of knew it would be a boy…)
• I asked him to walk forward. After he refused, I offered to lead him. He still refused!
• Then, I asked for another volunteer – this one had seen me take out the pen to snap the traps – and we walked forward.
• We read through Psalm 119:11 and Proverbs 3:5-6 and talked to the kids about trusting God and others who love them to help them navigate dangers.
• Used a Family Night slogan – “If it looks good, ask God if you should.”

Kids and adults really seemed to like it. Make it your own and give it a try for your kids!

Yours in Christ,

Marty

Diary of a Wimpy Kid – Movie Review

For Katie’s birthday, we took the kids (plus 4 friends) to see the new release of Diary of a Wimpy Kid – The Movie. The responses?

Having read the books, I thought they did a decent job with it. A small mix of animation, lots of live action; it stuck principally to the plot of the book with “movie adaptations.” (They introduced a new character that wasn’t in the books at all. That said, she helped moved the “lessons” along.) What did the kids think?

The two 11 year old boys didn’t think it was the greatest. Their biggest complaint was that they didn’t think the two main characters looked enough like the book versions. (I thought the actors did a pretty decent job!) Tough to look like cartoons.

The assorted 8-9 year old girls didn’t love it either. They didn’t dislike it but they weren’t enamored with it either. Same complaints about the kids (except Fregley!). One girl didn’t like the lack of detail you have in the book.

Overall, it wasn’t as funny as anticipated. There is just something that didn’t fully translate between the book w/cartoons and the live action.

It’s entertaining but I wouldn’t pay full price. (Rush hour specials rule!) I think the kids will probably enjoy watching it again on video. Go in with reasonable expectations and you’ll be fine!