Light Parties are a fantastic alternative to the Halloween activities that kick off on 31st October. Instead of children being surrounded by things that glorify the darkness, Light Parties focus on all things light, bright, and most importantly, Jesus Christ who overcame the darkness. Here are a few ideas that will make your Light Party exciting and engaging for your community’s children and young people:
1. Upcycled lanterns: craft
On the theme of light, one fun and easy craft is creating upcycled lanterns! For this simple craft, all you need are some old glass jars, PVA glue, bits and bobs of coloured tissue paper and anything else that could be used to decorate!
Step 1 – Coat the glass jar with PVA glue.
Step 2 – Layer onto the glass an array of different coloured tissue paper and anything else you’d like to add to make your lantern stand out.
Step 3 – Add one final coat of glue, which will harden and finish off your lantern with a beautiful glossy effect!
Step 4 – Place a tea light inside the jar, and then your upcycled lantern is complete! (LED tea lights may be easier for children.)
Why not teach children 2 Samuel 22:29 as they make the lanterns, or write it over the tissue paper? “You, Lord, are my lamp; You turn my darkness into light.”
2. Glow-in-the-dark tenpin bowling: game
This game is a fun classic, but with a light-themed twist!
Place a range of different coloured glow sticks into empty plastic water bottles, then fill them up with water. For younger children, try filling the bottles with less or no water so it’s easier for them to be knocked over. Place your alternative pins into formation, turn off the lights and then bowl away with a ball of your choice!
John 1:5: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
3. Light of the World video: activity
Why not show an engaging video as a part of your light party? This time of year is a great opportunity to teach our children that Jesus is the light of the world, and to walk in the light with him (John 8:12). This brand new illustrated animation called ‘Light of the World’ unpacks the Feast of Tabernacles, taking children to the first ever ‘Light Party’, where Jesus said these famous words.
4. Mask making: craft
Children who aren’t celebrating Halloween don’t have to miss out on the fun of dressing up. Why not encourage children to come to your church’s Light Party dressed up as their favorite superhero, or a light themed character, e.g. a star or angel?
An easy alternative or addition to dressing up is mask-making. All you need are some simple eye mask templates for children to decorate. Go crazy with glow-in-the-dark paints, kitchen foil, glitter and bright tissue paper – and get kids creatively celebrating the Light, instead of the darkness!
Psalm 27:1 is a wonderful, light-themed Bible verse to remind children of why they’re making these masks: “The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?” Why not write it on the backs of the masks to help children remember the Jesus is the Light of the world?
We hope you find these ideas helpful as you plan your Light Party. Whatever your event looks like this year, we pray it will be a great opportunity to engage your church and local community’s children and young people, and that they would gain a deeper understanding of Jesus Christ and the light and life that comes from him.