Pick a category. It can be anything — cartoon titles, fairy tale princes or princesses, candy bars, types of cold cereals. You’re only limited by your — and your child’s — imagination.

‍After a category is selected, take turns shouting out something that fits within that category. Continue the game until someone is stumped. Keep the game rolling by setting a time limit of five seconds for each turn.

When everyone is out of answers (or shortly before you reach your destination), congratulate everyone who participated for doing such a great job during the game. Then, point out just how many different ideas you all came up with. Together, you were able to identify so many different items/names!

Explain that sometimes our own hearts and minds can do this on their own. Our heads can get cluttered up with thoughts, worries, and even painful memories — so much so, that it can make us feel confused, tired, or even scared.

Share that this is a normal experience. Everyone struggles with this sometimes. But explain that we don’t have to stay this way. God loves us and He wants to take on our worries and challenging thoughts for us. Encourage your child to talk to you and to God in prayer the next time he or she feels overwhelmed by their own thoughts.