3 Transitions Between Activities

Getting from point A to point B in a service or camp day can sometimes be tricky. How do you transition between two high energy activities? Or how do you go from something exciting and active to a prayer? Try out these three transitions below to make your day or service move a little bit smoother.

1) The Quick Question

When transitioning between two segments that are similar, sometimes you need a mental break to get your students refocused. Try asking everyone in the audience a quick question. These can relate to your topic, or they can just be something fun, like: What’s your favorite ice cream? What’s the best kids movie ever? What is your favorite color? How many marshmallows is too many marshmallows to eat in one day?

Have your students get up, go across the room, and ask someone else for the answer to that question. Give everyone 15 seconds to get (and give) the answer and get back to their seats. Then, have all the students say on the count of three what the other person’s answer was.

This is a great way to help your kids get to know each other better. If you’re transitioning out of something active, switch it up so that the kids can only talk to someone next to them or in the row in front or behind them (no getting out of their seats). If your students are younger, you may need to give a few extra seconds to get the answer to the question.

2) Praying Pose

A quick way to get your students ready to pray, especially when there is a lot of loud energy in the room, is to teach your students this process: Put both hands in the air, bring them together (clap), bring them down in front of you, bow your head, close your eyes. Call out each step as you go. If you do the motions in the same way every time, your students will recognize when you start the process that it’s time to pray.

3) Do What I Do

If you’re coming from an active game or segment and need to get the attention of your kids, play a game where the kids have to follow the motions you do. Talk to just one person (preferably on the front row) and tell that student to do exactly what you do. Then, start doing motions. Put one hand up, two hands up, lean to the side, clap once, touch your head, etc. The person on the front row will do the motions along with you. Clapping works well as the sound makes your other students look to see what’s happening. Keep changing the motions, once every few seconds, as the rest of the group joins in to mimic what you’re doing. If you have some kids that still aren’t paying attention, make one of the motions poking your neighbor or making a “shh” sound. This will help your students pay attention better. Play the game for about a minute, or until everyone is ready for the next segment.