My children loved the previous How to Train Your Dragon movies and shows. They were curious whether the live action version would be much different. The script was pretty much the same, but the addition of live actors meant the characters’ emotions felt more intense. Even though they’d seen the movie before, they were riveted.
Watch the show together and use one or more of these activities with children ages 5-10 to explore the story’s spiritual themes.
Struggle. Hiccup wants to be a real Viking, but Stoick doesn’t think he has what it takes. They both struggle to express their feelings and concerns. Invite children to act out imaginary conversations between them. Ask: What do you think Hiccup and Stoick really want to say to each other? Then suggest that they act out conversations they might have with people who are skeptical about their goals.
Curiosity. Hiccup captures a Night Fury, then realizes that he doesn’t want to kill it. He decides to free it from his net instead. Ask: What was Hiccup feeling when he captured and then freed Toothless? Why do you think he decided to let Toothless go?
Attention. Hiccup had been taught that Night Furies are killing machines. He observes Toothless (taking notes, drawing pictures, and conducting experiments) so he will better understand him. Say: Hiccup used observation and research to learn more about Toothless. He was able to discover new things and disprove assumptions about Night Furies. Encourage children to observe an object (like a leaf, feather, toy, or cracker). Suggest that they look at it silently for 2-3 minutes, noticing its color, shape, texture, smell, etc. Then ask: What do you notice about the object? What do you wonder about it? What experiments might you do to learn more?
Trust. Hiccup spent weeks developing his relationship with Toothless. He observed him, fed him, played with him, and built enough trust that Toothless let him ride. Invite children to create a list of the steps they take to build trust with others. Ask: How do you build a new relationship with someone? What do you do to encourage them to trust you? Use their responses to create a ‘how to’ plan for cultivating new friends.
Experience. When Astrid was worried Toothless might still be dangerous, Hiccup invited her to fly with them. Encourage children to spread their arms and move like they are flying with Toothless. Suggest they soar on the wind, do some spins, and draw their ‘wings’ in to fit through imaginary rock formations. Ask: What sensations did you notice in your body as you were flying? What emotions did you feel as you tried different moves?
Meditation. Hiccup wakes up after the final battle with Alpha and realizes his leg has been amputated. Encourage children to imagine being Hiccup. Say: Close your eyes and take a deep breath in (pause) and let it out. (pause) Imagine you are Hiccup, waking up from a deep sleep. (pause) As you sit up, you notice that you are missing a leg. (pause) How do you feel? (pause) What are you thinking? (pause) What questions or concerns do you have? (pause) Take a deep breath in (pause) and let it out as you open your eyes. Invite children to share their feelings, thoughts, questions, and concerns.
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