Bible
Activities & Crafts
The
Bible...
is
tough for any young child to comprehend however; there are some
great stories and basic concepts that are perfect to teach to
young children. By focusing on certain narrative stories and simple
truths that are presented in an age appropriate way children can
learn the bible while ensuring that the underlying doctrine remains
the same as in the Bible for adults. It may be right to leave
things out, or even to tell stories from the point of view of
characters that may have been there, but it is not appropriate
to change the core events.
Try
and commit to memory stories so that you can bring their activities
and crafts alive.You do not need to go into details about time
and place, just stick with very basic and short stories. Your
short stories can begin with ‘a long ago in a place far
away’ and you should then relate the story generally using
the present tense. Preschooler’s have a hard time with the
concept of time, so do not dwell on the time and place.
Ensure
you use words that your preschooler will understand and make sure
you engage their attention by using facial expressions, voices
illustrations and visual aids. Introducing actions that you encourage
your child to mirror is also helpful way of maintaining interest.
The
following activities and crafts are perfect for giving your child
something to do that you can relate a Bible story and concept
to.
Enjoy!
Jesus
Says
Age:
4 and Up
Mess: Low
Material: None
Instructions: This is a variation of the classic
"Simon
Says", the difference is when your child does something without
the leader saying Jesus Says, they have to say "Please Forgive
Me, to keep playing. You can explain to your young one that everyone
makes mistakes but, if you are truly sorry Jesus promised to forgive
us.
Rainbow
Reasons
Age: 4 and Up
Mess: Medium
Material: Glue, Fruit Loops, paper and pencil
Instructions: On the piece of paper draw a large
rainbow and with the Fruit Loops have your child decorate the
rainbow. As he or she decorates it explain the story of Noah's
ark and how God promised to never destroy the earth again and
gave us a rainbow to remind us of this promise.
Let
There Be Light!
Age: 3 and Up
Mess: High
Materials: Non toxic yellow paint, crayons and
a large sheet of paper
Instructions: On a large sheet of white paper
draw a 6 inch circle in the top 1/3 of the page. Paint your child's
hands with yellow non-toxic paint and have them put hand prints
around the circle for the sun's rays. Once you wash your child's
hands then have them paint in the circle of the sun. After that
have them draw an outside picture beneath the sun. While they
are performing this explain to them the story of creation and
how God said "Let there be Light!".
Colorful
Coat
Age: 4 and Up
Mess: Medium
Material: Large brown paper bag, colored construction
paper, glue and scissors. (You can also use crayons instead)
Instructions: Help your child make a coat out
of a paper bag by cutting down the one wide side of the bag and
cutting a hole in the bottom of the bag for their neck. Next cut
two holes on the side for their arms. Now cut different strips
of colored construction paper and have your child decorate the
coat. While they are doing this craft explain the story of Joseph
and why he had his colorful coat.
Nativity
Scene
Age: 4 and Up
Mess: Medium
Material: Last years Christmas cards, scissors,
black paper, glue, popsicle sticks and glitter
Instructions: Have your child cut out the nativity
scene characters from last years cards (you can use magazines
also). Then have them glue 4 popsicles sticks in the shape of
a house to be the stable. Next glue the nativity scene characters
onto the sheet of paper and finally put glue on the sheet in the
top center above baby Jesus in the shape of a star and sprinkle
glitter on it. Explain the story of Jesus while you child is doing
this craft.
Jesus
Loves Me!
Age: 4 and Up
Mess: Low
Material: Paper plates, crayons or markers, hole-punch
and yarn.
Instructions: On the paper plate write the words
"Jesus Loves" at the top and then have your child write
their name at the bottom. Then have them draw a picture of them
self in the middle of the plate using the crayons or markers.
Last of all put a hole in the top and with the yarn hang the picture
in the child's room to remind them that Jesus Loves Them!
Block
Tower of Babel
Age: 3 and Up
Mess: Low
Material: Building Blocks
Instructions : Have your child build as high
a tower as they can and explain the story of Babel to them. Explain
how no matter how big we think something is, if it is not what
God wants then it really isn't important.
David
and Goliath
Age: 3 and Up
Mess: Low
Material: Different toys that are similar in
size, one smaller toy and then a large size toy
Instructions: Explain to your child the story
of Davis and Goliath and how just like the toys, Goliath was huge
compared to everyone else and David was the smallest but David
was not afraid of Goliath because he knows that God is bigger
then Goliath ever could be.
Daniel
in the Lion's Den
Age: 3 and Up
Mess: Low
Material: None
Instructions: Have your child act like a Lion.
Talk about how big and strong Lions. Next talk about David and
how chose to listen to God and do what he knew was right and because
of that God protected him from the big dangerous lions.
Baby
Jesus
Age: 3 and Up
Mess: None
Material: Baby doll and pictures of your child
and yourself as a baby.
Instructions: Look at the pictures and explain
to your child how Jesus was a child just like them. How He left
the safety of Heaven to come to earth and became a helpless little
baby who had to be taken care of. Show your child with the doll
how Jesus' mother had to hold him and protect Him.
The
Good Samaritan
Age: 3 and Up
Mess: Low
Material: Doll and band aids
Instructions: Have your child take care of their
doll and clean it up and put band aids on it. Explain to your
child the story of the Good Samaritan and how it is important
to help others who are in need no matter who they are.
