Self-control

Giggle game

Physical activity

Take turns trying to make someone laugh, even when they’re trying not to.

Discussion point: Sometimes it’s not appropriate to laugh, but to be quiet, respectful and self-controlled instead.

To play the giggle game, name one person as “it.” The other family members can do anything they want to make this person laugh, except touch them. After the person who is “it” laughs, another person takes a turn being “it” until all family members or players have had a chance.

After the game, talk about self-control. Explain that it is usually okay to laugh in life, but there are times when we shouldn’t laugh. We should not laugh when someone is hurt or sad, during quiet time at school or church, or if they are somewhere where they have been asked to be quiet. The following questions will help to clarify this for young children.

Questions for discussion
  • Can you think of some times in life when we shouldn’t laugh?
  • Eating is fun, like laughing is fun, but there is a time to eat and a time to stop eating. When is it time to stop eating?
  • Playing is fun. But when Mom or Dad say it is time to stop, it can be tempting to continue. When is it time to stop playing?
  • Chasing around and being silly is fun, but there is a time and a place for silliness.
  • When is okay to be silly?
  • When is it not okay to be silly?
  • How can you have self-control in these situations?
Key concepts

There are times when we need to obey the instructions of parents and stop doing what seems to be fun. Even though it is tempting to do what feels good instead of stopping, we can ask God to help us be self-controlled and to choose to stop what we are doing.

Relevant Scripture

Ecclesiastes 3:1,4 “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heaven. …a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.”