Teaching Kids About Joy with a Puppet Show

Joy

“Be joyful always.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16

Joy Puppet Show

I am loving this joy week. I have really internalized the fact that joy is something that transcends situation. It’s internal and given by God, but in ways it’s also a choice. We can be sad and yet have joy at the same time.

OK – I have to admit it. I haven’t been into doing puppet shows with my kids. I do all sorts of other cheesy stuff, but for some reason I feel real goofy doing puppet shows. I think I’m not very clever when it comes to making up stories. That’s why I was glad to find a script online that I could modify slightly. The girls received these wonderful puppets from their great uncle and aunt, and they play with them, but today I joined in the activity to drive home the ideas of joy.

Puppet: I give up! I can’t do it!
Puppet 2: What’s the matter?

Puppet: I can’t keep smiling.
Puppet 2: Why are you trying to smile?

Puppet: I want to be happy all the time!
Puppet 2: Happiness comes and goes. It’s a feeling. Instead of trying to smile and be happy, why don’t you ask God for His joy?

Puppet: Will joy make me smile all the time?
Puppet 2: No. You can have God’s joy when you smile and when you’re sad. It comes from knowing God loves you.

Puppet: How do I keep His joy even when bad things happen?
Puppet 2: Pretend you’re upset because I won’t give you a cookie.

Puppet: That would upset me.
Puppet 2: To feel God’s joy, think about one way God is good to you.

Puppet: God put me in a family that loves me.
Puppet 2: That’s right! Now pretend the rain has spoiled fun you are having at the park.

Puppet: Plop! Plop! Plop! It’s raining. (Pause) God made puddles for me to splash and water to make the plants grow.
Parent: Good. Abby & Kenzie (Insert your own child’s name), can you help us come up with more reasons to say thank You to God? (Have puppet shout words of encouragement each time your child thanks God for something.)

Review

Does joy make you smile all the time? (No)

Can you have joy during hard times? (Yes) What is one way to be joyful when bad things happen? (Tell how God is good to you.) What is joy? (Joy is knowing God loves you).