Bible Crafts and Activities For Sunday School
Bible Themes: Christmas
Sock Doll - Baby Jesus in the Manger Craft for Kids
 What you will need: Pink child's sock, large brown sock, yellow material or sock, Poly-fil, tiny rubber bands, pink craft foam, permanent marker, scissors, pink fabric paint.
What to do:
1. See the No-Sew Sock Doll Directions and the Sock Baby Directions on the Sock Crafts for Kids Page to make Baby Jesus. You don't have to make the feet because he will be wrapped in a blanket.
2. Wrap the sock doll in a piece of muslin. Cut a small circle from craft foam for the nose and draw on the eyes and mouth. Add a little bit of pink fabric paint or watercolor paint for the cheeks.
4. To make the manger roll up a large brown sock. Turn the sock inside out and roll it up so that the right side is showing. Roll it all the way to the toe until you have a donut shape.
5. Use strips of yellow material or natural raffia for the hay.
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Jesus Lights Up My Life Christmas Crafts
The following crafts go along with the Sunday School Lesson "Jesus Lights Up My Life" on The Resource Room.
 1. Craft Spoon Christmas Light Pin Craft for Kids
What you will need: Craft spoons, strong scissors, black chenille stems, tiny googly eyes, markers, and stick pin backs.
What to do:
1. Cut 3/4" off the skinny end of a craft spoon leaving a Christmas light shape.
 2. Paint the craft spoon and let it dry. Cut a black chenille stem in half and wind it around the small end of the cut spoon. Glue on googly eyes and draw in a mouth and nose.
3. Stick the sticky back pin to the back of the finished Christmas light.
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Jesus Lights up My Life" Necklace
 What you will need: Red, yellow and green card stock, red, yellow and green straws, scissors, glue, and nylon cord.
What to do:
1. Draw Christmas light shapes onto red, green, and yellow card stock so that two lights are connected at the top. Cut the lights out . (A pattern for this craft is available to members.)
2. Fold the light patterns in half over a pencil and glue the lights together back to back. The pencil will leave a space big enough to string a cord through the lights.
3. Cut the straws into one-inch sections, and the nylon cord into necklace lengths.
4. In class have your children string the lights and straw pieces onto the cord to make a necklace.
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Jesus Lights Up My Life Activity and Color Sheet
This pattern is available to members only on The Resource Room.
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3D Paper Christmas Ornaments Craft for Kids
 What
you will need: Paper (card stock preferred), colored pencils or crayons, string or yarn to hang the finished ornaments, scissors, and glue.
What
to do:
1.
Print out the Patterns (3 copies) and cut them out. Color them and then glue all three patterns of the same picture together so that each side is glued the the side of a different pattern as shown in the picture.
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Shrinky Dink Christmas Ornament Craft for Kids
 What
you will need: Plastic Shrink paper, colored pencils, black permanent markers, scissors, hole punch, and string or ribbon to hang the ornaments.
What
to do:
1.
Print out the patterns (Pattern 1 and Pattern 2) and trace them onto the dull side of the Shrinky Dink paper with a permanent marker. (The words are backwards because the front of the ornaments are the shiny side.) Color the patterns on the dull side with colored pencils, and then cut them out.
2. Use a hole punch to punch the hole at the top of the ornaments.
3. Shrink them in an oven according to the Shrinky Dink directions on the package.
4. When they are cool tie a string or pretty ribbon to the top.
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Craft
Stick Nativity Scene Ornament Craft for Kids
 What
you will need: Mini craft sticks, regular size craft sticks,
wooden stars, acrylic paint, yellow computer paper, trim, glitter
glue, oil (optional), red string, and other decorative items.
What
to do:
1.
Print out the pattern (A pattern for this craft is available to members.) onto yellow paper or if you are going to make copies
print it out onto white paper. If you don't have a lot of time in
class paint the craft sticks ahead of time.
2.
Cut out the patterns. In class have the children glue the craft
sticks on the pattern starting on the sides first and then the roof
and bottom.
3.
When everything is glued together show the children how to paint
oil onto the back of the picture and wipe off the excess oil. You
can use cooking oil or baby oil. This will make the yellow background
slightly transparent.
4.
To finish, glue a star and red string to hang the ornament to the
top. Let the children decorate the ornament with glitter glue and
decorative items such as ribbon and beads.
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Jesus, God's Gift to the World
The picture says, "Baby Jesus so sweet and small, you're the best gift of all!"
 Pattern available to members only.
Best Gift Bible Verse Review Game - Children try to find Baby Jesus under the gifts while reviewing the Bible verse.
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Matchbox Gift Boxes
This craft idea comes from the lesson "God's Wonderful Gifts" on The Resource Room. Each box contains a piece of fan-folded paper that has a picture of a gift from God with a Bible verse and discussion question. Children take turns selecting a box, opening it, and guessing, by looking at the the picture, what the gift might be. The teacher then reads the verse and question.
What you will need: Card stock (Heavy paper), ribbon, bows, tape, glue, and other decorative items.
What to do:
1. Print out the matchbox pattern onto card stock.
2. Cut out the solid lines.
3. Fold all the dotted lines up.
4. To make the box bottom, glue Flap A over the other Flap A on the same side. Fold down Flap C over the Flap A and Flap B on both sides and glue them down.
5. Fold down Flap E over the F on both sides and glue.
6. To make the sliding top, place glue on the side indicated and stick it over the opposite side.
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Nativity Scene Book, Lesson, and Activities
Throughout the year we have several " family days" were children and their families gather for prayer, fellowship and activities. Ou r Christmas family day included several of your ideas, including the layered nativity card and the envelope nativity. The layered nativity was a great family activity because it required both basic and more advanced skills ( such as the cutting) and thus it was an activity which incorporated the entire family. The envelope stable made a great keepsake ornament but was economical and easy for the children to assemble, I printed out labels with our Parish Education Program name, the date and the individual family name, they were a great success! Sent in by Cindy Becker
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 The Christmas Story Tree Series of Lessons on The Resource Room
 Each week your children make Christmas tree decorations that will remind them about part of the Christmas story. They will add more decorations to the tree for each new lesson, and will enjoy seeing the tree changing and getting more beautiful each week. If you don't have room for a Christmas tree in your room, you can send the ornaments home with your children, or make a large paper tree and tape it to your wall.
 1. The Prophets Tell About Jesus - This is the first lesson in a series of five lessons. Each week your children make Christmas tree decorations that will remind them about part of the Christmas story. They will add more decorations to the tree for each new lesson, and will enjoy seeing the tree changing and getting more beautiful each week. If you don't have room for a Christmas tree in your room, you can send the ornaments home with your children, or make a large paper tree and tape it to your wall.
In the first lesson your children learn that the prophets told about Jesus' birth thousands of years before he was born.
2. An Angel Tells The Good News - Mary and Joseph learn that Mary is going to give birth to promised king.
 3. The Shepherds Tell About Jesus' Birth - The angels tell the shepherds about Jesus' birth. The shepherds tell everyone they know about Jesus' birth.
 4. The Wise Men Search For Jesus - The wise men knew that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem. When they saw his star appear they followed it until they found him. God wants us to seek him too.
5. The Rest of the Story - The Christmas story is more than just a story about Jesus' birth. It is a story about how God loves us and planned for us to be saved and live with him forever.
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The
Wise Men Bring Gifts
Scripture
Reference: Matthew 2:1-12
Concepts - Jesus was special.
Games and Activities:
1. At the beginning of class have the children wrap up presents
(empty boxes) and explain to them that they will be using them to
act out the Bible lesson. (Instead of using empty boxes you can write things on slips of paper that we can do for Jesus and place them in the box.)
2.
Act out the Bible lesson. Before class place a huge star covered
with aluminum foil in one corner of the room hanging from
the ceiling. Have one teacher sit in the corner of the room underneath
the star holding boy doll to represent Jesus. Have the children dress up as wise
men (see making no-sew
Bible costumes).
Have another teacher guide the children around the room carrying
their gifts for Jesus. The teacher can explain
that they know which way to go because a bright star is showing them the way to Jesus. When the wise men reach
Jesus they bow down and worship him and leave him their gifts.
Sunday School Lesson About the Wise Men
1. The Wise Men Search for Jesus - Children act out the story using hand and leg motions similar to "We're Going on a Bear Hunt". This lesson is available to members only on The Resource Room.
 Crafts for this lesson include:
1. Envelope Gift Craft - Children color the inside and outside of the pattern and fold it like an envelope and then add a Christmas bow. A poem about the wise men and the gifts we can give Jesus is written on a star on the inside of the envelope. This craft is available to members only on The Resource Room.
 2. Star-shaped Book Craft - Children color the pattern, fan-fold it, and then glue it together to form a star shape. Bible verses and pictures of stars are included on the pattern. This craft is available to members only on The Resource Room.
Activities for this lesson include:
1. Play Follow the Star - Play like "Follow the Leader" except have the leader hold up a large star on a stick. The leader should lead the children around and under tables and chair while jumping, sliding his or her feet, clapping, crawling, walking backwards, marching, swinging arms, twirling in circles, skipping, etc. The children should do exactly what the leader is doing.
2.Play "Find the Star" - Before class cut out a bunch of star shapes from construction paper. Make them all the same except for one -- make it a little bigger. Tape the stars all around the room. In class explain to the children that the wise men knew that the star would lead them to Jesus because it was very different from all the other stars. It had appeared in the sky and hadn't been there before and it moved across the sky leading them to Jesus. Tell your children that on the word "go" they should each go and try to find the star they think is different from all the rest. When they find it, they should stand by the star until you say "Stop". Compare the stars to see which one is different.
3. Play "Follow the Stars" Musical Chairs - Before class cut out a bunch of star shapes making one bigger and brighter then the rest. Tape them to the back of the chairs. Place the same amount of chairs in a circle as you have children. Play like Musical Chairs, except the child how sits on the "Special Star" chair gets to sit down at the table and eat his or her snack. Remove one chair and play again. Keep playing until you only have the "Special Star" chair left.
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Sunday School Christmas Party
Exploring The Christmas Story
Children listen to parts of the Christmas story and then answer questions. Teams collect stars for correct answers. Between story and questions children play games such as musical chairs, Halo Toss, Shepherd's Race, Star Gazing Puzzle, and Magi Gift Delivery Race, and make simple crafts such as a bottle angel and marshmallow sheep.
Christmas Puppet Skit
 "The
Shepherds find Baby Jesus" Puppet Show - My second grade
Sunday school class did this puppet show. It was a great change
of pace. We went over it once with out the camera, filmed
it once, and then they did it perfect the third time.
What
you will need: Two foam core boards for the background and paint
to paint it, foam core board or poster board to write the name of
the show and "The End", about 10 angels, at least two shepherd puppets,
about 6 stuffed sheep, video camera, tape player and angel music,
VCR and television, green towel for the foreground.
 What
to do:
1. Print out the play and make copies.
2. To make the background scenery tape two foam core boards together
at the short sides. Paint hills and trees and at one end of the
scenery and paint the city of Bethlehem with a star above the city
at the other end. We set up the foreground scene on a table by placing
a green towel to cover the top and put some small stuffed sheets
on top. Two children held the back ground up behind the table leaving
just enough room for the shepherd puppets to stand between the table
and the background. Start out the play with the shepherds
at one end of the scenery. The shepherds will look like they are
walking if the the puppeteer moves the puppets up and down as the
children holding the background move it so that the town of Bethlehem
comes into view.
3. Make a title board and a board that says "the end". You
may even want to make a board with the credits written on it.
4. Directions to make the shepherd
puppets are found on the puppet page.
5. Use the lace
angel craft or the coffee
filter angels craft for puppets that are found on the Christmas page. Tie
about 7 to 10 angels on a paint stick to make the multitude of angels
and tie one angel on a crafts stick for the main angel. The
children can drop the angels over the top of the background at the
appropriate time.
Christmas Plays
On
The Road to Bethlehem by
Rev. Ann M. Smith
Mary
Remembers by Rev. Ann M. Smith
Do you have a
Christmas pageant you would like to share? Send it in and we will
publish it here for others to enjoy.
KidsPlays.Info - Provides free Christmas plays for non-profit groups and church Sunday Schools.
Nativity Play.com has a Christmas Nativity Musical that is great for all churches, especially for first-time producers. There are no lines to memorize so it cuts down on a lot of stress; you don't have to worry about actors forgetting their lines. It's available almost instantly by downloading it from the web site.
Christmas
Poems
What Child is This
By Teri Couture
What child is this
That came into my life
To stir up happiness
Amidst all the strife
What child is this
Who wipes all my tears
And when He is close
Conquers my fears
What child grows older
But keeps getting better
What child is this
That breaks every fetter
What child is this
Grown into a man
Who makes me say
"With Him all things I can"
He gave up His life
A great child indeed
He died on the cross
So I could be freed
What child is this
That from this world should part
He is the child
That still lives in my heart
What child is this
Why it's Jesus, God's lamb
And I can say with great faith
Now His child I am
Copyright 2003, Teri Couture
(You may use this poem in another publication or on another web site, but you must include the copyright notice.
"C" is for the Christ Child
The
version I am familiar with was sung by Perry Como, and I have also
heard Bing Crosby sing this. It was one of my favorites growing
up! I think it would make an excellent short recitation for a kindergarten
or similar age-group class.
You can find the song on this page: http://kokomo.ca/xmas/christmas_lyrics.htm
Jesus, When
You Were Born
by Mary Flynn
Jesus, when
You were born
In Bethlehem long ago,
Did you mind being out in a stable
When there was no place else to go?
And Jesus when
you were born,
Son of God, in a stable You lay,
And the people didn't know who You were,
Didn't come to You and pray.
But I wonder
if I had been there,
In Bethlehem looking at You,
Would I have known in my heart who You were,
Or would I have shut my door too?
So, now Jesus
I will promise,
Because I know what to do,
I know that You are the Son of God,
And I will open my heart up to You.
© Mary Flynn
If you like
this song, consider purchasing "Praise
4 God ~ Just 4 Kids©"a collection of more than
75 simple songs and poems of praise.
.
I
know people include the wise men as part of Christmas; however,
it was not until Joseph and Mary were in a house that the wise men
came to visit (Matt. 2:11). Also, the Bible does not specify
how many wise men there were (Matt. 2:1). Perhaps the
number three has been prevalent because of the gold, frankincense,
and myrrh (Matt. 2:11). I think the poem is nice; however,
I think it is important as Christians to make sure children
are taught what the Bible teaches. Sincerely, Jackie
Christmas
Story - Jesus is Born
The
Shepherds and the Angels
1. Make
an angel paper chain craft
What
you will need: Construction paper, markers, yarn or string,
scissors, stapler or tape.
What to do:
1. Print out the pattern and use it to cut out angels from construction paper. Make
enough angels so that one word from the scripture Luke 2:11 can
fit on each angel and a couple of extra for goofs.
2. Hand out the angels and assign a word of the scripture to each
child. Have the children write their words on the angel's skirt
and then color the angel and add a face or anything they would like.
3. When the children are finished with the front of their angels
tell them to think of a word that describes Jesus. You can
do this as a class for the younger children and write them on the
board. Then have each child pick a word from the list to write
on the back of their angels. Some examples are: Savior,
Promised One, Messiah, Lord, Most High Christ the Lord, Bread of
Life, Friend, True Vine, Judge, The Way, Good Shepherd, Light of
the World, King of Kings, etc.
4. When everyone is done, staple of tape the angels on to a piece
of yarn or string in the correct order to make a paper chain.
Comments: I used this craft this past Sunday for my ages 2 to Pre-K Junior
church Time. I cut out 6 angels per child and glued them on different
colors of construction paper. Then on one angel I wrote For, on
another angel I wrote Unto, on another You, on another A Child,
on another Is, on another Born. The children then colored their
angels, punched holes through the construction paper and strung
them along with rigatoni noodles on metallic elasticized cording.
I tied one end of the cording to a noodle so the other pieces would
not fall out. On the other end of the cording I wrapped a piece
of tape so the children would have an easier time stringing. When
the children were done making their garlands. I tied the end of
the string to another noodle and they were excited to be able to
use it as a garland for their trees at home. We used this craft
in conjunction with our lesson in which we talked about who visited
Baby Jesus and how they found out about His birth. Marleen Sooy
Following the Star Christmas Bible Lesson
One of my favorite Christmas activities was one I did with my 4 and 5 year old class. I had them follow a path of stars through the church. The kids had a good time looking for the stars. I set them up so that they changed directions and curved around and finally ended in an unused Sunday school room where I had set up a huge plastic nativity scene. I had cow and sheep sound effects playing on a tape recorder and I also had the song, "Little Town of Bethlehem" playing. We discussed the birth of Jesus, and then we went to the souvenir stand where they received sun glasses and T-shirts I had made. I put a picture of the nativity scene on each shirt and wrote "I MADE" JESUS IS THE REASON TO CELEBRATE THIS SEASON" We had frosted star-shaped cookies for a snack. The kids had a great time. I had a student who was in my class eight years ago who told me that this lessons was her favorite Christmas ever. Sent in by Tammy Butcher
Recommended Craft Kits From Oriental Trading Company
For more Christmas
crafts go to these Christmas Crafts Pages
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ABC, I Believe Lessons
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