Want a fun way to teach your littles about the shepherds? Planning a Christmas Sunday school lesson, or Family Christmas service? You’ll want to bookmark this fun game. Explore how the shepherds raced to the manger to see Baby Jesus!
This is a game we have played for 3 years in a row now, and my kids always end in giggles. Similar to an ‘egg race,’ littles feel the excitement of the shepherds search for baby Jesus, all through play.
What you need:
Sheep Dryer Balls (I snagged mine from the Target dollar spot, but these ones from Amazon are similar.
Nativity Set (if you do not have a nativity, you can also use a baby doll as a stand-in for baby Jesus).
Set-up:
Make a race course, placing the nativity set at the finish line. Our house is set up in a loop, so we had our littles run a lap around our house, ending at our Christmas tree and Nativity Scene.
How to Play:
1. Give each player a candy cane and a sheep. Have players place the sheep on their candy cane, balancing it on the crook.
2. Have players line-up at the starting line. On the count of 3, have players race to the nativity scene, balancing the sheep on their candy cane (like an egg race, but make it Christmasy). Players cannot touch the sheep with their hands. If a player drops their sheep, they’re out (or have to start over).
3. First player to make it to the nativity without dropping their sheep wins.
Alternative way to play:
- For toddlers and younger children, you can simplify this game by having them set the sheep on the ground and rolling it to the manger using their candy cane.
- If your kids are super competitive, you could also have children take turns running the race, competing against the clock to see how fast they can run the race. The only competition is themselves.
Baby Devotions 