Did you know that you’re a Prop Master?  A prop, or property, is any moveable item that is seen on stage or in film.  Prop Masters run the property department which makes, stores and transports props.  Well, I think the same could be said for Kid’s Church.  If you’ve spent any time in Kid’s Ministry you will have made, stored and transported a collection of props used as visual aids for Bible stories, object lessons, in Memory Verses and for playing games. You, my friend, are a Prop Master!

Props are Useful

Props are useful because they can:

• Send a message
• Motivate a character
• Tell a story or move it forward
• Get a character from point A to point B
• Help find what a character is looking for
• Provide rescue from a tough spot
• Provide mystery or solve it
• Create suspense
• Create tension
• Create emotions
• Create an entrance, exit or a way home
• Illustrate a characters strength or weakness

I’m sure you connected Bible stories, games or Memory Verses with props as you read through the list.  The arrow David saw as a signal, Rahab’s red cord from the window, a treasure box for a Memory Verse quest, a Christmas gift for the story of the Wise Men, a clock countdown for a Memory Verse or game challenge.

Props can be just objects in the background but some props are special because your children will relate to them.  If it’s something they have held themselves, when they see a Bible character doing the same, it creates a mutual experience and draws them into the story.  Some props educate and help your children learn about different times and cultures.

 My Prop Box

When I was teaching Kid’s Church every week I owned three plastic tubs full of props.  Now my prop box is confined to one 20 litre tub holding objects I may find hard to replace, that are sentimental, or that have proved to have multiple uses.  (Although, I must confess to purchasing a new prop last week.  Read on to find out what I bought!)

Here’s a few of my props:

• Balls that look like the earth (games with Missions or Creation focus)
• Battery operated light (lesson on building e.g. Nehemiah)
• Artificial grapes (real vs counterfeit)
• Giant key (keys to the kingdom)
• Steak chew toy (Dinosaur fun day game where children had to feed a dinosaur to pass)
• Medal (my son’s won in 1998! Paul’s teaching on running the race)
• Giant die (games for larger groups)
• Dolls (Adam and Eve)
• Rubber snakes (The Garden of Eden and Memory Verses or games that require a quest)
• Nest

The nest is my latest purchase.  It appeared at Easter in the craft section of a cheap shop.  I had previously tried making a nest using brown paper and shredded cardboard but it didn’t look very realistic, so when I saw a ready-made nest, I scooped it up.   How did I use it?  I hid the nest in a tree.  It had Memory Verse worms in it.  After teaching the story of Zacchaeus I took the Kindy children on a walk to find it.

I’ve packed a lot into my only Prop Box but there is a little room left for future props I find.  What can I say?  That’s how it is when you’re a Prop Master!