By Eric Braun

Free Spirit’s Character in Sports jar includes three kinds of cards: “Words of Character” cards have quotes about character by athletes; “Make a Difference” cards give ideas for building and showing your good character; and “Great Character” cards tell true anecdotes about athletes displaying great character. The cards are a fun and easy way to get kids from ages 8 to 13 thinking, talking, and even writing about being your best on and off the field.

Here are ten ideas. Add your own ideas in the comments section.

1. Break the ice at your first sports team or club meeting by having everyone choose a “Words of Character” card, read it to the group, and talk briefly about what the quote means to them.
2. One great thing about Free Spirit’s In a Jar^® products is that they’re so portable. Take Character in Sports on the bus when your team is traveling to a game and read a few to the group.
3. Put students or youth group members in pairs or small groups and hand out “Great Character” cards. Give them a few minutes to plan a skit, then have them act out the scene on their card for the class.
4. Start each practice or class meeting with a card you choose to be a Thought of the Day.
5. Use a card as a prompt for free writing or an essay.
6. Assign each student a “Words of Character” card and have them research the speaker on their cards. Did that person live her or his life in a way that supports the quote?
7. Read a few “Make a Difference” cards to your group, then have everyone write one of their own. How do they show good character in sports?
8. Read a few “Great Character” cards to your group, then have everyone do research and write about a similar story of great character in sports.
9. Hand out the cards as bookmarks.
10. Many of the “Make a Difference” cards present dilemmas, or “what would you do” scenarios. Read one with your students or athletes and have a group discussion about everyone’s response.

The cards can be used for a five-minute activity or discussion during a transition time, or they can become a deeper assignment.

Eric Braun is a Minneapolis writer and editor doing his best to raise his two sports-playing sons to have character.

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