Simple Easter Cross Craft for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Here is a simple craft and Bible lesson to do with your toddler or preschooler around Easter time.  The end result is a cute and colorful cross.

Scripture
Matthew 27:32-28:10--Jesus' death on the cross and resurrection from the tomb.

Lesson Objective
Jesus died on the cross for my sin.
Memory Verse
"All who believe in Jesus have their sins forgiven through his name." (Acts 10:43, simplified from the NIrV)
-or-
A different verse of your choosing.
Here are is a list of suggestions for verses about salvation.  Each link is to a song that you can use to learn this verse with your child:
Romans 10:9
John 3:16
John 14:6
Romans 6:23

Memory Verse Song
To the tune of "The More We Get Together"

"All who believe in Jesus
In Jesus
In Jesus
Will have their sins forgiven
Through his name."

Easter Cross Craft
Materials
-White card stock or construction paper
-Black construction paper
-Scraps of construction paper or tissue paper
-Scissors
-Glue

 Directions
1. Cover the white paper with glue (I prefer washable glue sticks to reduce mess).

2. Stick paper scraps all over paper so that no white is showing.  Cut the scraps yourself from any type of colored paper, or have your toddler tear the pieces.  For a preschooler, allow them to cut the scraps of paper.  It's great scissor practice!

3. Fold the black paper in half and cut out half of a cross.  When you unfold the paper it should have a full cross cut out from the center.

4. Glue the black cross cut out on top of the scrap-covered cardstock.
 

Toddler Bible Lesson, Christmas, Part 4

Welcome to the Christmas Toddler Bible Lesson Series at Bible Basics!  I'm glad you stopped by.  If you're wondering what we're up to in this ongoing series, check out this introductory post.  For a growing list of toddler and preschool Bible lessons you can take a look at the Bible Basics page.

Since Christmas is right around the corner I wanted to share with you the ways in which we have taught our toddlers and preschoolers about the birth of Jesus.  This is a perfect time to focus on the reason for all of the Christmas holiday hype and to help your young child understand what it’s all about.  Plus, Christmas lessons are fun for everyone!

Today we are finishing up a four-part lesson series focusing on Jesus’ birth.  You can find the first three lessons here, here, and here.  This is another fun activity that I always enjoy doing with toddlers and preschoolers.  They get a kick out of the different items to feel and smell and I enjoy explaining the significance of the gifts Jesus received.

WISE MEN GIVE GIFTS TO JESUS
Matthew 2:1-12

Memory Verse: Choose one that fits your child’s age and ability.

“The angel said to Mary, ‘You will have a son.  You will name him Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High God.”  -Luke 1:31-32

“Today…a Savior has been born.  He is Christ the Lord.” -Luke 2:10-11 (simplified)

Lesson Focus
Wise men gave special gifts to Jesus.

Project
Sensory Gift Bags

Materials
- Small gift bags (I usually use paper lunch bags but have sometimes found gift bags in dollar bins at various stores.)
- Pennies or other coins (Although I have never had a child at home or in the classroom put these in their mouths, you can replace this with aluminum foil or construction paper cut into circles if you are concerned about choking.)
- Tea bag
- Perfume or cologne
- Fabric scrap

Directions
1. Give your child a small gift bag.

2. Give your child a few pennies or other coins.  Explain that this is the “gold” that was brought for Jesus.  Talk to your child about how gold is a valuable gift that was given to kings.  Tell him that Jesus is the King of kings.  Place the pennies in the gift bag.

3. Give your child a tea bag.  Let her smell it and tell her that this represents “frankincense” that was given to Jesus by the wise men.  You can explain how frankincense was the sap taken from a certain tree.  It was used for healing and the Israelites burned it in the Tabernacle at the place where God promised to meet with them.  It is a special incense that reminds us that Jesus became our Emmanuel: God with us.  Place the tea bag in the gift bag.

4. Finally, give your child a piece of fabric.  Place a small drop of perfume or cologne onto the fabric.  Ask him to smell it.  Explain that this perfume represents “myrrh” which was given to Jesus by the wise men.  Myrrh was more costly than gold.  It was used when people died to prepare their bodies for burial.  The myrrh reminds us that Jesus came to die on the cross for our sins.  Place the fabric scrap in the gift bag.

5. Use the gift bag to talk more about Jesus’ birth and the ways that the gifts the wise men gave point to the purpose God gave Him in coming to earth.


How We Go Through the Lesson
1. Recite or sing memory verse.

2. Read Bible story.  We use the Beginner's Bible, but you can choose a children's story Bible or "grown-up" translation that suits you and your family.

3. Recite or sing memory verse.

4. Craft or project.  Depending on the day of the week this may be a project like the one above or it could be a coloring page or something completely different.

*Repeat the lesson almost every day.  This could mean doing it on weekdays or taking one day to work on the project, saying the memory verse together throughout the day, and reading the Bible story before bed each night.  It doesn't matter when or how, but the repetition is key for toddlers to retain the lessons presented to them.


When you give your children gifts at Christmas, what significance do they have?  Do they direct your child’s attention to Jesus?  How?

Toddler Bible Lesson, Christmas, Part 3

Welcome to the Christmas Toddler Bible Lesson Series at Bible Basics!  I'm glad you stopped by.  If you're wondering what we're up to in this ongoing series, check out this introductory post.  For a growing list of toddler and preschool Bible lessons you can take a look at the Bible Basics page.

Since Christmas is right around the corner I wanted to share with you the ways in which we have taught our toddlers and preschoolers about the birth of Jesus.  This is a perfect time to focus on the reason for all of the Christmas holiday hype and to help your young child understand what it’s all about.  Plus, Christmas lessons are fun for everyone!

We are already half way through a four-part lesson series focusing on Jesus’ birth.  You can find the first two lessons here and here.

SHEPHERDS WORSHIP JESUS
Luke 2:8-20

Memory Verse: Choose one that fits your child’s age and ability.

“The angel said to Mary, ‘You will have a son.  You will name him Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High God.”  -Luke 1:31-32

“Today…a Savior has been born.  He is Christ the Lord.” -Luke 2:10-11 (simplified)

Lesson Focus
Shepherds worshiped Jesus.

Project
Tactile Shepherds and Sheep

Materials
- Construction paper
- Marker or pencil
- Cotton balls
- Fabric scraps
- Yarn, string, or pipe cleaner
- Glue
- Star stickers

Directions
1. Draw a simple picture of a shepherd and 2 or 3 sheep on a piece of construction paper.

2. Glue cotton balls onto the sheep’s bodies.

3. Glue scraps of fabric on the shepherd as clothing and a head dress.

4. Glue a piece of yarn, string, or pipe cleaner in the shape of a staff in the hand of the shepherd.

5. Place star stickers across the top of the construction paper.

How We Go Through the Lesson
1. Recite or sing memory verse.

2. Read Bible story.  We use the Beginner's Bible, but you can choose a children's story Bible or "grown-up" translation that suits you and your family.

3. Recite or sing memory verse.

4. Craft or project.  Depending on the day of the week this may be a project like the one above or it could be a coloring page or something completely different.

*Repeat the lesson almost every day.  This could mean doing it on weekdays or taking one day to work on the project, saying the memory verse together throughout the day, and reading the Bible story before bed each night.  It doesn't matter when or how, but the repetition is key for toddlers to retain the lessons presented to them.



What fun Christmas Bible lessons do you enjoy teaching to your toddler or preschooler?

You can find this and other great resources for your toddler/preschooler at Mom's Library Link-Up (True Aim Education)

Toddler Bible Lesson, Christmas, Part 2

Welcome to the Christmas Toddler Bible Lesson Series at Bible Basics!  I'm glad you stopped by.  If you're wondering what we're up to in this ongoing series, check out this introductory post.  For a growing list of toddler and preschool Bible lessons you can take a look at the Bible Basics page.

Since Christmas is right around the corner I wanted to share with you the ways in which we have taught our toddlers and preschoolers about the birth of Jesus.  This is a perfect time to focus on the reason for all of the Christmas holiday hype and to help your young child understand what it’s all about.  Plus, Christmas lessons are fun for everyone!

Last week we started a four-part lesson series focusing on Jesus’ birth.  You can find the first lesson here.  This week’s craft is perhaps my all-time favorite.  Toddlers and preschoolers love these little potato babies!  They are a great way to re-enact the Christmas story and reinforce what your little one has learned.

JESUS IS BORN
Luke 2:1-7

Memory Verse: Choose one that fits your child’s age and ability.

“The angel said to Mary, ‘You will have a son.  You will name him Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High God.”  -Luke 1:31-32

“Today…a Savior has been born.  He is Christ the Lord.” -Luke 2:10-11 (simplified)

 

Lesson Focus
Jesus came as a baby.

Project
Potato Baby and Lunch Bag Manger

Materials
- Potato, washed and dried
- Scrap of fabric (I bought a pack of cheap dish rags at Target, cut them in half, and they ended up being the perfect size)
- Rubber band
- Permanent marker
- Paper lunch bag
- Easter grass or shredded paper
- Craft sticks
- Glue

Directions
1. Wrap the potato in the piece of cloth by securing it with a rubber band.

2. Now draw a face on the potato using the permanent marker.

3. Before unfolding the lunch bag, cut the top portion off (the cut should line up with the bottom folded part of the bag).  Make a manger out of the paper lunch bag by filling it with shredded paper or Easter grass.

4. Glue craft sticks on the outside and bottom of the paper bag.

5. Place the potato baby in the manger, saying “After baby Jesus was born, Mary wrapped him in strips of cloth [dress potato baby] and gently laid him in a manger [place potato baby in the manger].”

6. Encourage children to play with their potato babies.  If age appropriate, encourage them to take care of the baby.

How We Go Through the Lesson
1. Recite or sing memory verse.

2. Read Bible story.  We use the Beginner's Bible, but you can choose a children's story Bible or "grown-up" translation that suits you and your family.

3. Recite or sing memory verse.

4. Craft or project.  Depending on the day of the week this may be a project like the one above or it could be a coloring page or something completely different.

*Repeat the lesson almost every day.  This could mean doing it on weekdays or taking one day to work on the project, saying the memory verse together throughout the day, and reading the Bible story before bed each night.  It doesn't matter when or how, but the repetition is key for toddlers to retain the lessons presented to them.


How would you teach the lesson about Jesus’ birth?


You can find this and other great resources for your toddler/preschooler at Mom's Library Link-Up (True Aim Education)