Activities and Resources
With this book, we would really love to help children who have lost a loved one. That is why we have created activities and resources to work on different aspects of bereavement with them, with the help of a trusted adult or a professional that can accompany them in this process.
These resources were inspired by the different parts of the book and created from the possible experiences of our main character, Sammy. Therefore, we believe that it is beneficial that the children are familiar with the story before carrying out the activities. This will motivate them and help them to better connect with the resources.
Before beginning the activities, we recommend you start by discussing the different themes that may emerge after reading the story. To support this process, we have developed:
- Talking points and questions to help the conversation (Click here).
- Questions and answers about what we, the authors, wanted to convey through the book (Click here).
We hope that you enjoy these free activities and that they may be of help (See below). Please remember that they are only suggestions/guidelines and can be adapted to the age and reality of each child. We would welcome your comments, suggestions and feedback at sammyfoundatreasure@gmail.com. Click here to access the comments and stories that have been sent to us.
The Dry Tree: Explores the themes of sadness and hope.
Sammy's Tears: Shows that crying is good and can be a healthy way to express feelings of sadness.
Jumbled Feelings: Helps to identify different feelings that may be experienced during the grieving process.
Colouring with Sammy: Helps the children to express their feelings through colours.
Find the Secret Message 1: Works on some of the book’s central messages and encourages the children to express their feelings.
Find the Secret Message 2: Works on some of the book’s central messages and encourages the children to express their feelings.
Find the Secret Message 3: Works on some of the book’s central messages and encourages the children to express their feelings.
A Treasure to be Shared: Invites the children to reflect on their own experience and share it with others, if they wish to.
Chat Between Teddies: works on dialogue during bereavement and helps to open communication bridges between the children and the adults who care for them.
Freezing Memories: Helps the children to recall memories and preserve them for the future.
Sammy's Favourite Biscuits: Helps to remember that person as we bake and decorate biscuits.
Memory Box: Encourages the children to put together a memory box to safekeep photos and objects to remember that person.
The Journalist: Invites the children to recall information from that person's life that will remain with them forever.
Sammy's Photo Album: Invites the children to put together a photo album and decorate it to remember their loved one and to be able to access it as time goes by.
On Dates of Particular Significance: Encourages different ways to remember the loved one on special dates.
Homemade Jigsaw Puzzle: resource to remember and play.
Painting Stones: Encourages remembering and commemorating the loved one, while continuing with life.
In Other People’s Hearts: Encourages the identification of other people who can support the children and help them to realise that they are not alone.
Spot the Difference: A game that invites the children to reflect on how they are not alone in their grief.
People That I Can Count on and Talk to: Helps to identify the people they can talk to and find support from.
I Am Not Alone: It invites the children to become aware of other people that they can talk to, as those people are also feeling the loss of that person and can understand what the children are going through.
Create your Own Quiz: Question and answer contest to remember as a family and celebrate the deceased relative, share anecdotes and experiences, feel accompanied and supported.
Sammy’s Toys: Invites the children to identify objects that can help them in their grief.
Thank You: Invites the children to feel loved and thank the person that has died for all the love they received from them.
Bringing Light: Helps to identify those areas that the children are struggling with or where they need more support.
Maze: Game that helps the children reflect on the fact that the road is not easy, but that they have friends and the power of love to support them on their journey.
A Shield: to work on self-esteem and confidence, inviting the children to discover the gifts and qualities they have and that can help them to move forward.
Treasure Hunt at Home: A game in which the children come into contact with everyday memories of the loved one in their own homes.
Treasures to Discover Together: Invites the children to share family time and support each other.
A Special Candle: invites the children/family to illuminate, reflect, remember and celebrate.
The Journey from the Head to the Heart: Encourages the children to recognise the difficulties in the path of grief and the things that can help them to better get through it.