“Fun Stop,” For the Strength of Youth, June 2022.
Fun Stop
Stop the Robbers!
This Israelite town is currently guarding its outer walls against attack. They have three guards watching each wall (some guards watch more than one wall). They decide that they want four guards at each wall but can’t add any extra guards.
How can they do this? Set up the puzzle with pencils, matchsticks, or sticks. Use small rocks or other pieces to represent the guards.
Illustrations by Josh Talbot
Glean and Go
Gleaning was a law in Old Testament times that allowed people to pick up the food left behind an initial harvest.
Which path has the most grain before reaching the center bundle? It must end at the bundle without crossing through. Also, you can’t use the same section of path twice, though you may cross over a section you’ve already used.
Play Together, Separately
Ever heard of “correspondence chess” (or chess by mail)? It’s been around for centuries! Two players each set up a chess board at home and then mail their moves to each other one at a time.
Nowadays you have all sorts of communication tools to connect with people when you can’t be together. Here are a few ideas for long-distance activities.
Correspondence chess. Send moves to each other however you’d like. Video chat? Text? Drone?!
Drawing. Each of you draws part of a picture (digitally or on paper) and then sends it to the other to continue.
Jigsaw puzzle. Each of you could buy a copy of the same jigsaw puzzle and send pictures of your progress. Or a third person first could complete a single puzzle and then carefully separate it and send one half to each of you.
Recipes. Each of you makes the same recipe at the same time. Send pictures or video along the way and after.
Reading. Take turns reading a chapter of the same book out loud to each other. Send recordings or live stream it.
Writing stories or poetry. Take turns writing part of a story or a line or verse of a poem.
Comics
Well, David, if you won’t take any of the armor, at least take these!
Val Chadwick Bagley
Answers
Stop the Robbers!:
Glean and Go: Path A