classroom games Archives - Catechist's Journey

Catholic Seasons, Feasts, and Celebrations Froggy Jumps Game

Froggy Jumps: A New Game for Kids to Learn About the Church Year

Shortly after each of my grandkids progressed from crawling to walking, they very quickly excelled at running and jumping, as most kids do! In particular, they suddenly became very adept at imitating frogs as they bounced around the house, jumping from sofa to couch, while saying, “Ribbit, ribbit!” I have no doubt, then, that they are going to love playing a new game from Loyola Press called Froggy Jumps—a game in which children help the […]

People and Things at Mass Matching Game

Joe Paprocki

In the Sacrament of the Eucharist, we receive the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. When we celebrate the Eucharist, we join in communion with the family of the Church. Help children deepen their understanding of the Eucharist and the Mass with a fun matching game, People and Things at Mass. The game—with images from God’s Gift: Eucharist—will help children identify the liturgical roles and sacred objects common to all churches. The game can be […]

Eucharist Tic-Tac-Toe

Joe Paprocki

Invite children to demonstrate their understanding of the Eucharist by playing a themed game of tic-tac-toe. Use the game as a review during sacramental preparation sessions, or involve children in the Eucharistic Revival by playing this and reading Seven Clues: A Catholic Treasure Hunt in a family session or First Eucharist retreat day. For more resources on preparation for First Eucharist, see God’s Gift.

Mass Bingo Game

Joe Paprocki

Enhance children’s understanding of the Eucharist and the Mass in a fun way by playing Mass Bingo. Play as a way to involve children in the Eucharistic Revival, either in sacramental preparation classes or as a review in faith formation sessions across grade levels. Pair a game of Bingo with reading Seven Clues: A Catholic Treasure Hunt in a family session or First Eucharist retreat day. For more resources on preparation for First Eucharist, see […]

God in the Ordinary Bingo Cards

Joe Paprocki

Where have you experienced God in the ordinary moments of life? That’s a great question to start a discussion with youth groups or adults exploring spirituality. And to encourage people to think about finding God in all things, some less-than-obvious, we’ve created a God in the Ordinary Bingo game, available for free download by filling out the form within this post. Play the game with rules similar to Human Bingo. Participants get a card and […]

Pop-Up Catechesis: “Finding God Everywhere” Game

Joe Paprocki

In today’s episode of Pop-Up Catechesis, we look at a fun game to play with your children to break up the day and to teach a lesson about “finding God in all things”—something that St. Ignatius of Loyola taught and a concept that is very comforting (and much needed) during this time of isolation and sheltering at home. For more information about the notion of “finding God in all things,” check out the following: […]

Simple Classroom Review Games

Cindy Coleman

Using games in my faith formation class brings an element of fun that results in both engagement and positive responses from the children. At the beginning of almost every session, one of the children will ask, “Are we going to play a game today?” My answer is often “Yes.” Any catechist can take a simple list of questions or vocabulary words and use these for classroom review games with little or no preparation. I like […]

All Saints Day Celebration

Cindy Coleman

My favorite session of the year is our celebration of All Saints Day on the class preceding November 1. It combines storytelling (one of my favorite ways to catechize) and direct instruction with a dose of games that make for excitement on the part of the children. With this session I’m hoping to leave some knowledge about saints and also a positive association with the fun games. I also use this opportunity to get parents […]

Games in Lent

Denise Gorss

After a successful session with Advent Bingo, a catechist asked me whether Lent Bingo existed. While I don’t have a formal game board for that, there’s no reason we catechists can’t play Lent Bingo and other Lenten-themed games with our groups. While Lent is seen as a more solemn season than others in the liturgical year, and rightly so, there’s no reason we can’t lighten the mood in our classrooms with a game, even as […]

Sacraments Matching Game

Joe Paprocki

Our celebrations of the sacraments are signs of Christ’s presence in our lives and a means for receiving his grace. Help children identify the Seven Sacraments by playing a fun matching game. This downloadable game can be printed out and played in sacramental preparation sessions or as a review for children of all ages learning more about the sacraments. Even catechists or teachers can enjoy playing after reading my Living the Sacraments: Finding God at […]