Easter is still a little way off but it's great to be able to put resources aside ready for when you do need them. MyGrafico is a digital arts and crafts store which presents, they say, unique personal and commercial use graphics by hand picked designers. And, they do have some great designs which are reasonably priced. But, more importantly for those of us that are nonprofts and trying to create memorable crafts for kids programs on limited budgets, they also have some terrific freebies ready to be downloaded. Take these Easter Cupcake Toppers... these would be nice and easy for kids to create for someone else in the church family at Easter- give the kids a cupcake each, add some vanilla or chocolate icing to the top, cut out a cupcake topper and pop it on the top... easy!
Check out this and other designs at MyGrafico..

Group pub. has just released a new smaller version VBS program- two 2 1/2-hour sessions and a family celebration. The program- Rocky Point Lighthouse- teaches two Bible stories: Jesus heals a blind man and  Jesus dies and comes alive again. The main Bible verse is 2 Samuel 22:29: 'The Lord lights up my darkness.'
Now, of course, you may be planning a special short holiday program for kids that would suit this program perfectly. But perhaps it would also be worth considering for your Easter events and with the couple of weeks leading up to the Easter weekend. And it includes a preschool program.
No craft has been included but rather,  Rocky Point Lighthouse has something even better! Kids put God's love into action by making special gifts for others in their church, community, and the world. Again, this focus of giving to others would tie in really well for Easter. Check it out...
Watch the video below:

It seems as though the Christmas decorations in the stores have only just been packed away,before they are unpacking the Easter displays. But yes, it is just around the corner and so, it's worth starting to check out what resources are available for this special event on our calendars.
The movie, Lion of Judah, would be a good place to start.
 The synopsis follows:
When Judah is taken by the townspeople as a sacrificial lamb, his new zany barnyard friends from Bethlehem embark on an adventuresome journey to save him the week preceding the crucifixion of, The King. Will a lamb's heroic deed on an altar be enough to save the people-folk of their sins, once and for all? This daring quest will take you from the Bethlehem stable, into the Romans Courts passed the great temple, the hillside of Calvary, and onto the empty tomb, as The Stable-Mates come to the rescue! This epic heart-warming story intertwines humor and troublesome situations, while delivering foundational messages with gentleness and breathtaking beauty. For Judah, a   lamb with the heart of a lion, it is a story of courage and faith that will lead you to the pivotal voyage of hope which started 30 years ago in Bethlehem, once upon a stable.
Check out the official site where you can also download extras-  colouring sheets, posters, Bible study guides, lion of judah in a crate and wallpapers.
Purchase the movie here..
Watch the trailer below..

If you're looking for ideas for your upcoming themed events, then this site may be helpful. However, I should warn you... you'll probably spend hours looking at the different ideas and suggestions listed here.

You'll find decoration ideas, special party food ideas, decorated cupcakes, special signage, themed invitations, gift bags and boxes, masks, hats and so much more...

Click the link here to see the jungle theme ideas but there are many more on the site. Many of the ideas you can adapt or create yourself but a list of suppliers is also included.

Blitz Ministries is worth checking out. You'll find curriculum for presechoolers, primary aged kids and more, as well as information on FX Live, a high-energy event complete with games, challenges, props and music. There is also information about FamNite Live, a resource that enables you to present a high-octane, family experience in your church yourself.
You'll find, at the Cafe, a printable pdf version of Roger Field's 'The Calling' which would be inspirational to print off and hand out to your children's ministry volunteers and leaders for the start of the year. I've attached it to this blog, but visit Blitz Ministries to check out all the other resources. There is a Humour section on the Cafe page and I've include one article below  titled 'They Know You're the KidMin Pastor because....'

The last time you made it to the adult service you tried to do the motions to Amazing Grace.

You were banned from the produce aisle of the local grocery store for singing the theme song to Veggie Tales.

Your summer begins when VBS ends.

Your version of Jesus’ first miracle has Him turning water into Kool Aid.

You once gave your spouse the quiet seat prize after dinner.

You rolled your eyes when the pastor told the congregation how much the choir members sacrifice to serve God.

You are starting to have meaningful conversations with your favorite puppet.

In the church foyer everyone runs when they see you coming for fear you’re trying to recruit them.

You’re afraid to close your eyes when you pray.

When people ask you how many children you have you tell them between 60 and 70.

You carry crackers in your pockets.

You have a helium tank in your office.

Your cracker and juice budget is bigger than your salary.

You buy everything in bulk.

You honesty believe you are only doing this temporarily until the church finds someone else.

You were stunned to learn that some scissors are pointed.

You once got stuck in the playground tube at McDonald’s.

You scotch-guarded your entire minivan.

The children’s workers are taking bets on how long you will last.

You once cut up your pajamas to build a flannel graph board.

You plan an event for 200 and 50 show up.

You plan an event for 50 and 200 show up.

You prefer a root canal to meeting with the church board.

You know how to pray for healing for dogs, cats and goldfish.

The Senior Pastor has forgotten your name.

You have forgotten the Senior Pastor’s name.

The church janitor won’t speak to you.

You understand the terms: tinkle, winkie tink, stinker, and TT

You’ve never heard a guest speaker at your church.

You went to a four star restaurant and requested animal crackers for dessert.

You once sat up straight in the middle of the night and yelled at the top of your lungs, “IS THE BIG SERVICE OUT YET?!!!!”

~

The commencement of a new year is a great time to refocus in ministry and ensure that you begin where and how you mean to continue. So, I've included a small list from Dale  Hudson (relevantchildrensministry.com) of 10 Top Leadership Tips for Children's Ministry. It's actually a list that would be relevant for any ministry and a great list to consider to ensure that your life and ministry is in balance as you begin 2012.

10 Leadership Tips for Children's Ministry
1. Who you are is more important than what you do.
2. Make people skills one of your priority growth areas.
3. People don't follow a title.. they follow someone they love and respect.
4. There will always be someone who is not happy with your decision.. accept it and don't try to appease everyone.
5. It's not what you can do; it's what you can empower others to do.
6. Learn from everyone.. everywhere... everyday.
7. When hiring, look at what someone has done in the past. Location doesn't change people. Past performance usually indicates future performance.
8. Take your day off and use your vacation time. Your future in ministry depends on it.
9. Your greates ministry is at home.
10. Details done well make the plan gel.

It can be really helpful for leaders and volunteers to be given information about the age-group of kids that they will be working with so that they know what to expect and how best to handle these children. This information is readily available online but Willow Creek produces a great resource that presents key developmental  information about each agegroup and can be purchased in packs of individual age groups or a mixed pack.  Includes basic points about the following topics:
* My Body
* My Feelings
* My Relationships
* My Intellect
* My Spiritual Development
* Spending Time Together
A single package contains 10 Thought You'd Like to Know sheets for each individual agegroup or a mixed pack of 8 different agegroups. Available for Infants, Toddlers, Two's, Three's, Four's & Five's, Kindergarten/First Grade, Second/Third Grade, Fourth/Fifth Grade - a great teaching tool for your ministry staff or volunteers and the parents of those children in your care!
They are available from Willow Creek or the affiliate office in your country. The price varies considerably, too, if your church is a member.
Click HERE for more information..