Quiet as a Deer

Made for ages 5–7, but nobody’s checking IDs. Anything in a shaded box, say out loud. Everything else is just for you.

Ballpark Fifteen minutes, give or take. Shorter is fine. When they’re wiggly, you’re done.

Go outside and get quiet enough to hear the little sounds hiding under the big ones.

Gather

“A deer can hear a leaf drop from way far off. Want to try being quiet as a deer?”

“Cup your hands behind your ears like big deer ears. Now freeze.

Every time you hear a sound, hold up one finger. A bird. The wind. A car far away.

See if you can get all five fingers up.”

While they’re at it

Do the deer ears too. At this age they copy you, not the instructions. If you freeze and listen, they will.

↯ If they go off-trail

If they start naming every sound out loud instead of listening, let them. Naming what they hear is the whole point anyway.

“What did you hear first?

What was the quietest one?

Can you make that sound with your mouth?”

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” Psalm 19:1

“Even the sky is telling us how big God is. You just had to get quiet enough to hear.”

“Next time you’re outside, put your deer ears on and see if you can hear one brand-new sound.”

Fifteen minutes is plenty. If they only lasted three, that counts. Don’t stretch it.

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