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Hope and the Family: Complementary Brilliant Star Materials
What are your hopes for your family, both materially and spiritually? How can our families, neighborhoods, and communities be more unified? How can we contribute to the betterment of society?
Individuals, communities, and Bahá’í seasonal schools around the country are exploring topics such as these. The discussions are especially effective when kids and families share their ideas together. These activities and stories from Brilliant Star Magazine can be used to encourage learning, fun, and meaningful conversations at gatherings focused on hope and the family.
Art Activities
Silent Storytellers - May/June 2016, p. 17
Draw a family totem pole with symbols that represent the family and its stories.
How to Create a Caring Community - May-Aug 2015, p. 30
Coloring poster with tips about how to help your community.
____’s Cultural Canvas - May/June 2014, p. 25
Journaling and drawing about elements of your cultural background.
Wishing Tree - Jan/Feb 2013, p. 9
Story of the Japanese Tanabata festival; write and draw wishes for the future.
Crafts
Maya’s Mysteries: Water Bottle Wind Whirler - July/Aug 2016, p. 18
Make decorations from empty plastic water bottles using permanent markers.
Nur’s Nook: Make a Book of Adventures - March/April 2016, p. 6
Create a travel or adventure journal with pockets for souvenirs, using brown paper lunch bags, ribbon, and markers.
Nur’s Nook: Make a Paper Airplane & Fly with Joy - March/April 2016, p. 6
Follow origami instructions to make a fun paper airplane.
Nur’s Nook: Create a Community of Light - May-Aug 2015, p. 20
Create decorative paper houses with battery-operated lights inside.
Maya’s Mysteries: Reaching New Heights - July/Aug 2013, p. 6
Create a catapult toy to shoot marshmallows, representing positive thoughts and actions taking flight.
Nur’s Nook: One Family Tree - May/June 2013, p. 16
Create a tree with paper bag and tissue, then invite your family or community members to add fruits with their names and virtues.
Group Activities
____’s Outdoor Expedition - July/Aug 2016, p. 19
Take a nature walk and write about or draw what you find. Look for items on the checklist.
Games for Change - Sept 2015-Feb 2016, p. 25
Play four engaging games for groups or pairs. Two games are active and two are quieter.
Maya’s Mysteries: Curiosity Challenge - July/Aug 2014, p. 22
Try out these 21 curiosity-building activities for kids and families.
Mazes
Into the Future - Jan/Feb 2013, p. 29
Discuss the article on creating a positive future for the world. Then complete the maze, as astronauts journey to the Planet of Peace.
Fun in the Sun - July/Aug 2012, p. 29
Discuss the article on gratitude and positivity. Then find the path through a maze at the beach.
Tip of the Iceberg - March/April 2012, p. 29
Discuss the article about body language and the messages it conveys. Then find the path through the iceberg maze.
Music
Music Café: Light Up the World, by Lloyd H. Miller - Nov/Dec 2013, p. 20
Sing and play a song about making a difference in the world.
Music Café: In the Garden of Thy Heart, by Ana Bridges - July/Aug 2013, p. 21
Sing and play a song about unity from the Bahá’í writings.
Pencil Activities
Temple of Light - July/Aug 2016, p. 27
At the Bahá’í Temple in Chile, find hidden letters and fill in the “O God, Guide Me” prayer. Try learning the prayer in English and Spanish.
What Do You Say? - May/June 2016, p. 16
Practice coming up with answers to prejudiced statements.
Clash at the Monster Bash - May/June 2016, p. 3
Discuss the article about emotional “monsters” that impact group decisions. Match each monster with a musical instrument that brings harmony.
One Peaceful Home - May/June 2016, p. 27
Read or memorize the prayer and match key words from it with their definitions.
Vision of Hope - July/Aug 2014, p. 21
Discuss the article about the Bahá’í Faith’s vision of future world peace. Complete the word search, finding terms related to a bright future.
Agent of Service - March/April 2014, p. 9
Discuss the article about service. Match each negative thought with a positive thought to overcome it.
Tree House of Teamwork - March/April 2014, p. 2
Find items named for supplies that will help a family live in unity.
Observe to Serve - March/April 2014, p. 22
At the beach, find 13 opportunities for service, where people need help.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Love for the Poor - Jan/Feb 2014, p. 22
Discuss the story of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá visiting the Bowery Mission in New York and giving money to the poor. Find nine words in circular puzzles.
______’s Gratitude Board - Nov/Dec 2012, p. 27
Write about and draw things that lead to feelings of gratitude.
Two Ears, One Mouth - March/April 2012, p. 6
Find words in a family scene to complete tips about being a good listener.
Quizzes
Power of Positivity - March/April 2016, p. 18
Take a quiz to assess your positive attitude.
Are You a World Citizen? - May-Aug 2015, p. 5
Take a quiz to assess your world-embracing vision.
Stories
Bahá’u’lláh’s Life: Father and Son - March/April 2016, p. 5
Discuss the story about the relationship between Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Complete a word search, finding terms from the story.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Kindness in New York - May-Aug 2015, p. 8
Discuss the story of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s meeting with children in New York and his example of honoring the oneness of humanity.
Bahá’u’lláh’s Life: A Friend to Baghdád - Sept-Dec 2014, p. 6
Discuss the story of Bahá’u’lláh’s kindness in Baghdád. Complete the word search about the qualities of a good friend.
Great Escapes - Sept-Dec 2014, p. 24
Read and discuss (or act out) the folktale about four animal friends who help get each other out of danger.
Who Will Fill the House? - July/Aug 2014, p. 7
Read and discuss the folktale about family bonds, which appears in both English and Spanish.
Message of Love: World Religion Timeline - July/Aug 2013, p. 14
Explore the timeline and descriptions of six world religions: Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, and the Bahá’í Faith.
Stargazer: Dr. William “Smitty” Smith - May/June 2013, p. 22
Interview with Dr. Smith, who founded a race amity organization and holds unifying events.
Stargazer: Layli Miller-Muro - May/June 2012, p. 22
Interview with Layli Miller-Muro, lawyer and founder of the Táhirih Justice Center.
Shining Lamp: Martha Root - March/April 2012, p. 26
Story of Martha Root, who circled the world four times, sharing the Bahá’í Faith.
Shining Lamp: David Kellum - May/June 2011, p. 18
Story of journalist David Kellum, who championed race unity and encouraged kids.
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Updated on 3.06.17