Buy or make a story bag that you will love using
Taking items out of a storybag during a story builds interest. Use a bag that’s large enough and attractive for the children and easy for you to use. No plastic bags!
Author: Rachel Ball
Hi! Let their light shine is where I blog about Toddler Group and Sunday School ideas.
Storytelling tip #6
Practice what you are going to say
Tell your story to yourself. Practice it. Practice using any puppets or props. Get a feel for how it sounds. Don’t aim for knowing it word for word – you want to know how the story goes and be so comfortable with it that the telling is fresh and spontaneous when you tell it to toddlers. Practice will help you to know how well you know the story and how long it will be. Learn your opening sentence, know how you are going to finish – let the rest of the story flow.
Storytelling tip #5
Use the Bible – not your memory
When preparing a Bible story rely on the Bible rather than your memory. Read the story a few times. Get it into your head. Read it out aloud. Sometimes we think we know a Bible story but we’ve forgotten somthing or added something. So, start with the Bible.
Storytelling tip #4
Know how you are going to finish your story
Every story needs to reach a satisfying conclusion. It needs to end in way that is clear. Any problems in the story need to be solved. Zaccheus met Jesus! Jonah went to the town of Ninevah. The Wise men found Jesus. Think through how your story will end and have a final sentence. And when your story is finished – it’s finished.
Storytelling tip #3
Know how you are going to begin
Facing an audience can be nerve wracking. To avoid going blank be really sure of your opening sentence. Learn it. Write it down and have a last minute look at it just before you begin. Some ideas – ‘There was once a…’ ‘A long time ago…’ Say hello to..(name of puppet/doll taken from a storybag)’ or ‘One day there was…’
It’s better to get straight on with story rather than spend time on an ice breaker style question. Toddlers need a short, to the point story. So, just jump right in with the narrative.
Storytelling tip #2
Make yourself heard
There’s no need to shout a story at people but they do need to be able to hear you tell the story. Be close enough to your audience so that they can hear you. If you can, use a PA system. A mic will enable everyone to hear you even if you are talking quietly. If you use a headset mic your hands are free for adding actions to the story or using props and puppets.
Storytelling tip #1
Storytelling tip for toddler group
Make sure everyone can see you
It’s much easier to listen to the story when you can see the storyteller. Think about where the chairs are placed. If everyone is sitting on the floor kneel or sit on a low chair when you tell the story. You want to be a little higher than the audience so that you can be seen by everyone. If you are using props or puppets make sure they are visible to the whole group.
Elisha and the Widow’s Oil craft ideas
Elisha and the widow’s oil is a story from 2 Kings 4:1-7 where we read about Elisha helping a widow who needed to pay her debts. He told her to borrow as many empty jars of oil as she could from neighbours and then go inside her home and close the door. What happened next shows us God’s care for his people.
Elisha and the widow’s oil Bible Story
Bible Truth for Toddlers – God cares about us
To tell the story to young children – you need a bottle of oil.
‘There was once a woman who had two sons. Sadly, her husband had died and she was in trouble. She owed some bad people money and she had no way of paying them back.
She went to see Elisha. He was God’s prophet. ‘I am in trouble. Can you help me?!’ she asked
What do you have at home? Elisha asked
I have one jar of oil. (Show the oil)
Elisha told her what she must do. ‘Borrow as many empty jars as you can from your neighbours. Then go home. Shut the door and start to pour the oil into the empty jars and then sell the oil and pay your debts’
What would the woman do? She started to borrow empty jars. She went to one home and then another and then another. Soon she had lots of empty jars.
Then she went home and closed the door.
Her sons helped her start to pour the oil into an empty jar. And something amazing happened. As they filled the empty jar the oil that they had started with didn’t run out. They filled another jar and still it didn’t run out. Soon all the jars were full of oil. And once they were all full the oil that they had started with stopped flowing.
Now oil is expensive and the woman was able to sell all this extra oil. She had enough money to pay her debts and money left over for her and her sons to live on.
Elisha was able to help because he was God’s prophet. God cared about this woman and her sons. God cares about you and me too.’
Craft ideas – free downloads
One idea is to colour/decorate jars of oil. The other is to add more jars of oil to the picture and then colour or decorate.
Ascension Day Craft (5-11 year olds)
All you need –
- A3 paper x2
- Cloud shape cut from A4 card
- Green and blue paper to make sky and hill
- Glue
- Cotton wool to add to cloud
- Verse from Acts 1:11 (see download below) Cut into a size to fit into the cloud
To make the eleven disciples make a paper chain of eleven men. To do this cut a long narrow strip from the A3 paper. Fold like a concertina into eleven sections. Draw a man outline on the first one. It’s important that the arms and legs go to the edges as these connect the men. Cut out carefully, making sure that the arms and legs stay connected. Then make the cloud from the A4 card. Stick on the Bible verse. Then on the A4 paper make a sky and a hill and then carefully add the eleven disciples and the cloud.
‘Thank you God for yummy food’ craft
To Make
- You need A4 card with holes punched at the top (landscape) centre and thread added
- Stick on lots of pictures of fruit and vegetables (from gardening catalogues)
- Add the ribbon/banner. See download below.
Hang up in the kitchen!
While you are making talk about the names of the fruit and vegetables, their colours and where they grow (in the ground, on trees etc). When you eat something that is on your picture you could add a smiley face 🙂
Easter Decoration
How to make an Easter Door Wreath
You will need
- A plain wreath shape – or cut out the centre of a paper plate and use the wide rim.
- Doilie
- Spring pictures – I used eggs and chicks but flowers would be fine too. See what you can find in magazines and catalogues.
- Ribbon
- A large cake case to use as a nest for chicks (If you only have flowers make it a vase)
- Some shredded tissue paper
- Tissue paper or paint to cover the wreath
- Glue
To make – be as creative as you want – these are suggestions!
- Start by covering the wreath with paint or paper
- Add pictures of eggs, chicks and/or flowers
- If your doilie is the right size cut out the plain centre and add the lace part to the wreath. If not just cut some of the lace part and add around the wreath.
- Add the ribbon
- Add the nest/ vase by glueing half the cake case to the wreath. Add the shredded tissue paper and then slightly stick both ends of the cup case to secure (it should be like a pocket).
Easter Story Video
Easter Stained Glass
How to make your own Easter Stained Glass picture
You will need
- Black paper plate
- Tacky back
- Tissue paper in bright colours
- Cross cut from the plate centre or black paper
- Glue
To make
- Cut out the centre of the plate (use this to make the cross)
- Add the tacky back – you need the sticky side to be the same side as the black plate rim
- Stick tissue paper all over the tacky back to make the stained glass effect
- Add the cross on top of the tissue paper using glue.
Bright colours 
Sticky side 
Non sticky side 
Non sticky side 
Cover with tissue paper 
Add the cross
Display in a window!
Palm Sunday Story Video
Palm Sunday Story Video is a short retelling of Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem. You can read the story in John 12:12-19
Here’s a link to a post with a Palm Sunday Story idea and some palm leaf crafts to make.
Beautiful flowers and Jesus’ promise (Sermon on the Mount)
This is a craft and something to read and think about from the Bible. It’s an idea to help families to look at the Bible together. Enjoy!
You need a Bible, glue, paper/card, flower photos from catalogues/magazines, scissors (adult supervision required) and some time to do this together! If you want you can seperate this acitity into two halves – do the cutting out one day and the sticking on another.
To make – use photos from gardening catalogues
You will also need a blue piece of paper or card as your main piece of paper and a brown pece of paper (or any colour you like) for the flower pot. Cut out a flower pot shape that is as wide as your paper (or almost – you will be able to fit more flowers in)
Before you start sticking, place your flower pot on the paper and draw along the top with a pencil (you don’t have to do this but it will make things neater)
Then remove the flower pot and start arranging the flowers. You can stick them straight away or try out different arrangements. If you have drawn a pencil line then make sure that it is covered enough for there to not be a gap between the edge of the pot and the flowers.
Once you have glued the flowers in place add the pot. You can add a couple more flowers so that it looks like your palnts are tumbling over the edge.
The Sarah Raven catalogue had a beautiful photo of one flower
You could also have a go at covering the piece of paper – this can be quite a challenge for children
This is a great activity to talk about colours – name them, talk about favourite colours, what do we have at home that’s a similar colour.
It’s a good activity to practise skills – using a glue stick or glue spreader and for older children scissor skills.
Thinking spot – looking at the Bible together.
Read about how God made the plants from Genesis 1
And God said, ‘Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees yielding fruit in which is their seed…And God saw that it was good.
Genesis 1:11,12b
God made the plants and the trees just by speaking. When a plant flowers it starts the process of producing seed!
When Jesus walked on the earth he did lots of things. He healed the sick, he spoke to people individually, he answered questions, he calmed the storm. He also taught his followers how to live and taught them about God. In Matthew’s Gospel we are told that Jesus went and sat down on the mountain and his disciples came and sat with him. Then he started to teach them.. one of the things he said was about the flowers..
Jesus taught his followers not to worry about what they should wear because of the flowers.
And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil or spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Matthew 6:28,29
Toil and spin are words that mean work. The flowers don’t work but they still look beautiful. Solomon was a great King. The flowers look even better than his expensive clothes. It is God that takes care of the flowers. Therefore Jesus doesn’t want his followers to spend time worrying because he is able to care for them and give them what they need.
Say thank you to God for the clothes you have.
Caterpillar craft
Cup cake cases are lovely for crafts! They can be used to make lots of things including caterpillars! Just flatten them and glue them slightly overlapping each other. You can make patterns by alternating two colours or use one colour or go for multicoloured! You can even use metalic cases. Use what you have. Add a smiley face and some grass (I’ve used tissue paper). You can add some smaller circles at one end too.
Mother’s Day Card
Mother’s day card to make. A home made card is a lovely thing to make and give. In toddler groupd you might well have mums and toddlers making this together! But you will probably have childminders and grandparents making these with the children too. You can also provide a gift for all the mums/women who attend the group to make them feel extra special.
All you need to make the Mother’s day card
- Blank cards and envelopes
- Flower pot shapes cut from brown sugar paper
- Green paper stems and leaves
- Flower shapes or stickers
- Petal shapes (we used some confetti)
- Glue
- Something to write the child’s name with
Other ideas include
- small cup cake cases for flowers
- pictures of flowers cut from magazines/garden catalogues
Top tip – If you spray your flower shapes with some perfume before using them you will have a perfumed card! (Do this at home)
Here’s another idea that uses hearts for the flowers.
Mother’s day in the UK is really Mothering Sunday. Read all about the origins of the day here.
A Bible Story all about a great mum
A long time ago there was a really bad king. He was very cross that God’s people, who were living in his country, were having families with lots of children. ‘I’m not happy about this!’ he said to himself. Then he had a very bad and horrible plan. ‘Get rid of all the baby boys’, he said. That was a horrible plan. he was a very bad king.
There was a family that had just had a baby boy. They weren’t going to get rid of him. They loved him very much. So they kept him a secret. Every time he cried they said ‘Shush’ (can you say that?). But as he got bigger he cried louder. What could his mummy do? His mummy trusted God and she made a plan to keep her baby safe.
His mummy (take puppet from story bag) had a plan. She began to make something. Shall I show you what it was? It was a basket. She made it waterproof and very strong with a lid.
When it was finished she wrapped up her baby son and put him gently into the basket. Then she took the baby in the basket down to the river. The baby’s big sister came too. (Take her from the story bag) Now they weren’t going to just any part of the river. The mummy knew that someone important would be going to this part of the river too.
The mummy put the basket in the water and she went home. But big sister hid and watched and waited.
Sure enough down to the river came the third woman in our story. She was very important. She was the bad kings daughter! (Take her from the story bag) She looked at the basket. What’s inside? she thought. So she opened the lid! And there inside was the little baby boy and he was crying. The King’s daughter felt sorry for him. She knew that he was a baby belonging to God’s people.
Now the baby’s big sister did a very brave thing. She stopped hiding and called out, ‘Shall I go and find someone who can take care of the baby for you?’
‘Go, and get someone’, the Kings daughter said.
Who could she find to care for the baby? His mum!
These three women rescued the baby boy and he was called Moses, which means taken out of the water. Moses mummy trusted God to keep her little baby boy safe – and he did. God can always be trusted.
Maybe when you were a baby you were put in a Moses Basket? It’s called a Moses basket because of this true story from the Bible.
Easter Story Paper Plate Craft
Paper plates are just so great for craft ideas (and can be used as storytelling props too) This simple paper plate idea can be used as both. The craft is for a child and adult to make together while talking about the Easter Story.
You need – paper plate, tissue paper or similar in green and blue, white paper on which to draw the hill and the tomb, brown paper circle for the stone, brown paper strips for the cross, some crayons/pencils, glue and scissors. (Obviously if making with younger children use children’s safety scissors and make sure you keep a watchful eye. Scissors should always be used with care while sitting down).
Begin by covering the top half of the plate with blue paper and the bottom with green.
Draw two hills on the white paper. Colour one green. Make the other into the tomb by drawing the entrance and colour brown. Cut out and stick in the middle of the plate covering the sky/grass join.
Add the cross to the green hill and the stone infront of the tomb entrance to one side to show that the tomb is empty.
It would be great to make this while talking about the Easter story or reading the story together.
Pancake Day!
This year Pancake Day or Shrove Tuesday is on the 17 February. It’s time to enjoy some pancakes!
Pancake Recipe
(From the Be-Ro Home Baked Recipe Book – details at the end of the post). This is the recipe I use at home. Our family likes to eat these with lemon juice and sugar (that’s me), sugar (my son) and jam (my husband)
Ingredients
- 110g (4oz) Plain Flour
- Pinch of salt
- 1 egg
- 300ml (1/2 pint) milk
- Vegetable oil for frying
Method
- Mix flour and salt together in a bowl and make a hollow in the centre and add the egg
- Whisk the egg into the flour and slowly add the milk, still whisking until the batter is smooth
- Lightly oil a frying pan and heat until hot (be careful if making with children. An adult needs to be in charge here!)
- Pour in enough batter to cover the pan
- Cook for 1-2 minutes on a medium heat until underside is golden brown
- Turn or flip the pancake over and cook for a further half a minute (but keep an eye on it as it may do faster)
- Enjoy with a topping of your choice!
- To make several pancakes just add some more oil each time so the batter doesn’t stick.
If you would like your own copy of the Be-Ro book then send a cheque for £2.99 payable to ‘Premier Foods Plc’ to
PO Box 10681, Hinkley, LE10 9GH (UK only)
Valentine’s Day Activity
It is winter where I live but there are still leaves to be found and a few conkers, acorns and winter flowers. These were collected from my garden and arranged into a heart shape.
If you like, you can draw a heart outline and then arrange any leaves, twigs or flowers that you find.
If it’s too snowy (or just too cold!) to find objects outdoors look in your home. I’ve used cotton and fruit! You might like to use toys, building blocks, crayons – anything you like. Your heart shape can be really small or huge. It’s up to you. You can choose random objects or select items of one colour .. lots of variations. Take a photo before you put everything away.
Bartimaeus meets Jesus Bible Story
Jesus is Baptised – story video
The Wise Men find The King – video story
The Wise Men find The King
This story is from Matthew 2:1-18
To tell the story you need – some Wise Men, toy camels and a star. You can add some actions too – stars with hands (like in twinkle, twinkle little star), running, looking, kneeling.
The story
Bible Truth for Toddlers – Jesus is King
Far away from where Jesus was born there were some Wise Men. They read books and knew a lot. They loved to look at the stars in the dark night’s sky. One night they saw a new star! They looked at the new star and they looked at each other. ‘Wow! they thought, ‘this new star means that a new king has been born in Israel. Let’s go and worship him’.
So they packed their things and set off for the important city of Jerusalem. They travelled for a long time. It took days and days to get there. When they arrived in Jerusalem they asked everyone they met, ‘Where is the new baby king?’
Now, there was a king in Jerusalem called King Herod but he wasn’t a baby; he was a grown up and he wasn’t at all happy. He didn’t want a new King! He heard that there were men from a far away place who were asking people, ‘Where is the new king?’ This upset him and it upset the people who were living in Jerusalem. He sent for the men from the temple. ‘Where is this new King to be born?’ he asked. The men from the temple knew the answer because it was written in the Bible. ‘In Bethlehem.’ they said.
Herod sent for the Wise Men and he told them to go to Bethlehem and find this new King and then come back and tell him where the new King was so he could go and worship him too.
So off the Wise Men went. It wasn’t too far to go now. As they got nearer something very special happened. The star was there again and this time it went before them and shone right over the house where Jesus was. The Wise men had found Jesus and they knelt down and worshiped him. They took their treasures out of their bags and gave them to Jesus. They gave him gold, frankincense and myrrh. These were special gifts for a King.
The Wise Men never told Herod where Jesus was. God warned them not to in a dream and they travelled home.
Herod didn’t want to worship Jesus. He wanted to get rid of him. An angel told Joseph to take Mary and Jesus and run away to a different country till it was safe to go back home.
Joseph did what the angel said and took Mary and Jesus to somewhere safe far away from Herod. When the danger was past they went to back home to Nazareth.
Some star craft ideas
For a star craft – decorate a star wreath shape and add some tissue paper for a stained glass window effect. Or use Christmas card pictures to decoarate a star.
Make a Wise Men stained glass window. For instructions see this blog post Christmas stained glass – paper plate!
Paint a star shape. This is a wooden star but card would be fine too.
Some festive baking! Yum!
Some festive baking! Yum! Christmas is a great time of year to make biscuits. There are loads of cookie cutter shapes to choose from, I chose Christmas trees. I used a favourite recipe that never fails. This is a very easy recipe called 1-2-3 biscuits from ‘Cakes and Cake Decorating’ by Rosemary Wadey.
The recipe for some festive baking! Yum!
2oz/50g butter
1oz/25g caster sugar
3oz/75g plain flour
To make
Cream butter and sugar together and then gradually add the flour. Knead till smooth. I made this in my mixer but it is easily done by hand.
Chill the biscuit dough for at least an hour. If you miss this it will be very difficult to roll out and cut into biscuit shapes.
Once chilled roll out on a floured surface. Cut into shapes. I used a christmas tree shaped cutter. Bake at 150C /300F /Gas 2 for about 25 minutes (less if you have a fan oven. Check often anyway). They should be lightly browned. I have a gas oven that has a mind of it’s own so please don’t take my timings as exact!
Once cooked allow to cool and then decorate using icing (icing sugar and water mixed- add water little by little). I added green colouring jell. Decorate any way you like. And enjoy!
Star Christmas decoration to make – using lollipop sticks
Star Christmas decoration to make to hang on the tree! Lots of sequins are needed for this simple star shaped decoration for the Christmas Tree. It’s a fun craft to make and looks lovely as a special home made decoration. The printable banner, ‘Joy to the World’ is a reminder of the great news of the first Christmas.
Luke 2:10-11 And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.
Everything you need for the star decoration
- Six lollipop/ popsicle sticks per star. (plus some spare in case of any mishaps!) Try to buy the coloured sticks. (Please consider purchasing through this link as the blog will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!)
- Sequins (different colours, shapes and sizes)
- PVA glue and spreaders
- A button and thread
- ‘Joy to the World’ mini banner (download available below)
How to make the star
1. Glue the lollipop sticks together – layer the sticks as shown in the photo and wait for the glue to dry.
2. Meanwhile thread the cotton through the button – tie in a knot to make a loop. This will be used to hang the star from the tree.
3. Glue the threaded button to the top of the lollipop stick star.
4. Before you add sequins to the lollipop stick glue the mini ‘Joy to the World’ banner in place and then add sequins to the star.
Here’s another star idea that’s suitable for under 5’s. A Christmas Star wreath shape decorated with pictures from Christmas cards. If you don’t have Christmas cards use wrapping paper scraps!
A Christmas Carol to enjoy!
How to make a shepherd
How to make a shepherd printable instructions.
You can make a shepherd to add to a Nativity display or use when telling the Christmas Story. Below is a photo of a nativity to give you an idea of how you can use paper plate Christmas characters to build a Christmas scene. In the picture we have Mary and Joseph, angels and shepherds. The manger is a party bag with yellow tissue paper inside – see this post for instructions and a printable baby , the stable is made from a cardboard box lined with yellow tissue paper on the inside and covered with brown tissue paper on the outside.
How to make a shepherd printable
You can print the above by clicking on download…
There is a similar printable all about making an angel available in this post
Enjoy making a Christmas scene to use in storytelling or as a decoration.
How to make an angel – craft video
This is my first attempt at a craft video (sorry for the pause in the middle – my phone did that all by itself!). Enjoy!
Make a Paper Plate Christingle for 7-11 year olds
Angel tree topper instructions
Angel tree topper instructions that are easy to print. We made these angels last year in our toddler group. There are some instructions here on the blog in a previous post but this printable instruction leaflet is much easier to print and share. It can be handy to have some instructions for the adults to look at on the craft table. You could also make them available as a take home for parents and children to make during the Christmas holidays.
Autumn activity for kids!
Several years ago when my children were children (and not adults – how did that happen so fast?!) we planted some conkers in plant pots. Once we had kept the squirrels at bay they began to grow and are now abour six feet tall. They are still in pots as horse chestnut trees can become very large if planted direct into the garden and our garden isn’t big enough. Here’s a photo of one of our trees.
Houses Jesus visited – the home he never visited! (video)
Jesus heals the Centurions Servant video. This is the last short story in the Homes Jesus Visited series. The house that Jesus never visited! The story is from Luke 7:1-10. The pictures used in the video are from Free Bible Images
Here are the links to the other stories in the series
It’s a lovely series of Bible Stories for toddler group and pre-school. Young children know what home is and so we are starting with something familiar and building the story around that.
Jesus heals a Centurions Servant Story
Homes Jesus visited – Matthew (video)
The pictures in the video are from Free Bible Images. A great website full of useful resources. The words are my own based on Luke 5:27-32. The name Matthew has been used for simplicity.
Zacchaeus story, video, and craft
Zacchaeus story video and craft idea
Zacchaeus story, video and craft for young children.
Zacchaeus story telling idea
Jesus was walking along the road to a town called Jericho. Lots of people wanted to see Jesus as he walked through their town. They had heard a lot about all the amazing things that he had done.
One man really wanted to see Jesus. His name was Zacchaeus (can you say that name?) Let’s say hello to Zacchaeus as he comes out of the story bag.
Now Zacchaeus was very, very rich. He had loads of money. Some of his money he had by taking what wasn’t his! So people didn’t like Zacchaeus.
But that wasn’t all. Zacchaeus was a short man. So when Jesus was coming to his town he had a problem! He couldn’t see past the crowds! The crowds of people didn’t like Zacchaeus so they weren’t going to let him get to the front. Standing on tip toe didn’t help either. So Zacchaeus began to run. He ran to a tree. Then he did something that he hadn’t done for a long, long time. He climbed the tree. Now he could see Jesus.
And there Jesus was, walking along the road. And then Jesus stopped! Right under the tree. ‘Zacchaeus, come down. I’m coming to your house today!’ said Jesus.
Zacchaeus came down the tree. ‘I will give back all the money that isn’t mine and I will give extra money too’ he said.
Zacchaeus was a different person now that he had met Jesus.
Jesus said ‘I came to look for and to save the lost’. All of us are lost without Jesus. He is looking for us and is able to find and save us.
Zacchaeus story video
Zacchaeus craft idea
Craft Idea – download and print the tree and Zacchaeus. Decorate with tissue and /or sugar paper and colour. Stick Zacchaeus in the tree.
The story of Zacchaeus is from Luke 19.
There are several other similar videos on the let their light shine youtube channel.
Homes Jesus visited – Simon’s Mother in law (video)
This is my third video story for younger children. The pictures are from Free Bible Images and the words are my own. Feel free to share.
Homes Jesus visited – The Crowded House (video)
Homes Jesus visited – the crowded house is a short video story for young children to enjoy. It is a retelling of a Bible story from Mark 2:1-22
Take a look at the other videos in the series by vising let their light shine’s You Tube channel where you will find stories for young children and some short videos about telling stories.
The Crowded house craft ideas
Here’s a link to an easy craft based on this story
Here’s a craft using an envelope. This is better suited to older children (we made it with reception age – 4/5 year olds) To make you need…
- Blank square envelope
- Face stickers
- Man on a mat
- Yarn
- Tissue paper for the bricks (or colour these with crayons)
Turn the envelope into a house by adding windows and a door. Add faces to the windows so the house is full. Add yarn to the man on his mat and colour. The children can enjoy making this craft and suing it to retell the story.
Homes Jesus visited – the crowded house craft step by step
If you would like to use the man on the mat visual go to Teachkids.eu by clicking this link. Download Little kids can know God through his miracles. It’s a free download. Then go to page 79 where you will find the man on the mat. There are lots of other things in the download too!
Homes Jesus visited – Mary and Martha (video)
I’ve had a go at making a short video to share with our toddler group parents. If you like it and want to use it feel free! I’m still learning how to do this so any hints and tips welcome 🙂
The pictures are from Free Bible Images. The words are my own.
When I am at home, God is there (colouring sheet)
A couple of colouring pages … to colour or decorate with tissue paper, crepe paper etc.
A few years ago I made a bus colouring page with the words, ‘wherever I go God is there’. (You can find a story and bus colouring page here) But when we are at home and can’t go to many places, God is there too.
Cress to grow at home
Cress is lovely to grow at home with children because it grows so fast! No long wait to see the seeds sprout. Within a week you have something that you can eat. No need for soil – I used an egg box, some tissues and the seeds.
Seeds, egg box lid, tissues 
Add water to the tissues to make them damp 
Put the damp tissue in the egg box. Place the whole thing on a plate 
Sprinkle on your seeds liberally. Help children with this step. You don’t want all the seeds poured from the packet in one place 
Place the seeds on a windowsil and keep them watered. The paper wants to be damp 
After a week you will have cress! 
To eat – cut as you need for salads and egg sandwiches
You could make a picture diary of this process – either take photos or do drawings. If you water the seeds at the same time each day it becomes a nice little ritual either at tea time or snack time.
(If someone in your family is allergic to eggs use a different growing container)
Spring song – to make and sing at home
Spring song to make and sing. This made up spring song is to a well known tune – always a safe combination. The tune is ‘the wheels on the bus’. At the bottom of the post there are pictures you can print out to colour and/or decorate.
The song is about these guys.
Spring song to make and sing
The owl in the garden goes twit, twit, twoo, twit, twit, twoo, twit, twit, twoo
‘The owl in the garden goes twit, twit, twoo all day long.
The snail in the garden goes slurp, slurp, munch, slurp, slurp, munch, slurp, slurp, munch
The snail in the garden goes slurp, slurp, munch, all day long.
The bee in the garden goes buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz
The bee in the garden goes buzz, buzz, buzz all day long.
The frog in the garden goes hop, hop, splash, hop, hop, splash, hop, hop, splash
The frog in the garden goes hop, hop, splash all day long.’
How to make the song puppets
Below are the pictures in PDF.
- To make the song puppets –
- print out the coloured PDF or the black and white PDF to decorate
- laminate (or print onto card)
- attach lolly pop sticks or similar so you can hold the pictures.
- The children can do actions or buzz around like the bee, hop and crawl for the different verses.  🙂
You can also print the black and white pictures for children to colour/decorate as they like.
These are the same pictures but in colour
Bee – colour Frog – colour Snail – colour Owl – colour
Here’s a link to a simple spring craft using cup cake cases and a paper plate.
If you are feeling like you want a more involved craft for older children or something to make with a young child at home then have a go at a spring flower spiral.
Happy Easter!
‘For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God’
2 Corinthians 5:21
Easter Garden to make at home
Easter garden to make at home is a great way to celebrate Easter. The garden is a reminder of the Easter story and is also fun to make. Traditionally an Easter Garden would be made using soil, moss, flowers etc but this version is made entirely from paper and card – if you haven’t got easy access to soil and plants this is for you!
What I used to make the Easter Garden
- paper plate (a piece of card would do too)
- cereal box to make the cross (make two cross shapes and glue together so it will stand up)
- paper ice cream tub for the tomb ( a roll of paper with card glued over an end would be fine)
- a paper circle for the stone
- tissue paper for the path and grass
- pictures of flowers from magazines/garden catalogues.
Here’s another Easter Garden idea that uses play dough and weetabix
Take a look at this telling of the Easter story for young children.
More Easter craft ideas..
Easter egg colouring printables
Easter egg colouring printables!
These A4 Easter Egg designs can be coloured or made into collages. Whatever you feel like doing! I’ve used wax crayons (you can blend the colours!), felt tips, tissue paper and some sugar paper circles. Cut out the egg shape after you’ve decorated it. If you want to paint the eggs then maybe print the shape onto card. Enjoy!
What is God like? Story Series for toddlers
What is God like? Story series for toddlers. This is a great way to teach young children some basic truths about God’s character.
There is a story from the Bible that teaches one truth about God each week. An alternative title would be ‘What does the Bible tell us about God?’
We answered the question by teaching that –
God is everywhere, God knows everything, God is holy, God is powerful and God is faithful. Of course the Bible tells us more about God than we have included here. We finish with the Christmas story explaining that God has made a way for us to know him.
This series would make a great run in to Christmas but I also think it would be fine to tell the Christmas story at a different time of year.
Each week you can use a story bag and a character or two. These can be Pringle people, happyland characters, a mini Moses (toilet roll!) and knitted characters. I think the children like the variety.
You could easily tell these stories to young children at home too.
Week One JONAH Story of Jonah and the big fish
Bible truth for toddlers – God is Everywhere
God is everywhere is a truth we learn from the Bible. We are using the story of Jonah to illustrate this truth in a way that is easy for toddlers.
To tell the Story you need –
- Jonah (we used a figure from happyland),
- a big fish (the one pictured is VERY big – made over a tent) and
- a toy boat.
Jonah and the Great Big Fish story
God said to Jonah, ‘go to the big city called Ninevah (can you say that? repeat the name together) and tell everyone there about me.’
Jonah listened to God.
But Jonah didn’t like the people in the big city of Ninevah.
‘I don’t want to! I’m not going to go!’ He said (have you ever said that?)
Jonah thought to himself, ‘I will go far away – so far away that God won’t know where I am.’ He went and got on a boat and sailed away, far, far away from Ninevah.
But then the rain came and the wind blew – and out of the boat came Jonah – and splash into the sea!
Down, down, down he went. ‘Please God, help me!’ he prayed. Could God still hear Jonah from inside the great big fish? Was God too far away? No he was not far away. He was right there with Jonah.
God is everywhere. Jonah couldn’t run away from God.
God knew exactly where Jonah was, God always knows where we are; and he sent something to help. It wasn’t a boat – it was one great big fish. The one great big fish opened up it’s mouth and swallowed Jonah. He was safe!
The one great big fish took Jonah back to land. God said, ‘Jonah, go to Ninevah’. And this time Jonah did exactly what God said.
God is everywhere, all of the time. So wherever you go God is already there!
God is everywhere craft
Week Two Genesis 41 Pharaoh’s dreams
Bible truth for toddlers – God knows everything
Say hello to Pharaoh! Pharaoh was a very important man. But he was upset. He had had a dream. It was a strange dream and it worried Pharaoh. He wanted to know what his dream meant. What could he do? He sent for all the magicians and wise men. ‘They will tell me what the dream means,’ he thought to himself.
But they had no idea what the dream was all about! No idea at all.
Oh no! What could Pharaoh do? One of his servants was thinking. He was remembering someone he knew. He had an idea.
‘Pharaoh I know someone who can help. He is in your prison. He is able to tell people what their dreams mean.’ Who was this man? His name was Joseph.
Pharaoh sent for him right way. Can you tell me what my dream means? he asked Joseph.
‘No! I can’t. But God can tell us what the dream means’. How can God do that? He can because God knows everything. God told Joseph what the dream meant. He told Pharaoh.
God knows everything about you and me too. He knows our names and he cares about us.
(Pharaoh and Joseph are made from pringles cartons)
God knows everything craft idea
This craft relates to the story – children can make their own Pharaoh puppet
Week Three Exodus 3 Moses and the burning bush
Bible truth for toddlers – God is holy
Say hello to Moses!
Moses was looking after his sheep. What noise do sheep make? Baa!
He saw something. It looked different. He’d never seen anything like it before.
What was it?
Was it a funny looking sheep? No!
Was it a funny looking snake? No!
It was a plant that was on fire but it was still green and not burning up at all!
He went a little closer! (note – explain that the children must never go near to fire)
Then Moses heard God’s voice. ‘Moses, Moses’.
‘Here I am’, Moses said.
‘Don’t come any nearer. Where you are standing is holy.’
God was there and so an ordinary place had become extraordinary because God is holy.
What does that mean? Holy means different to us. God is different to us. God is always great and he is always good.
Craft Idea – make Moses looking after the sheep
Week Four Exodus 14 Crossing the Red Sea
Bible truth for toddlers – God is powerful
Moses and God’s people were in a hurry. They were escaping from being slaves in a place called Egypt. They were leaving as fast as they could taking all their things with them. There were mums and dads and grandmas and grandads and babies and children just like you hurrying away from Egypt. Moses was their leader.
But Pharaoh, the king of Egypt was coming after them! He wanted his slaves back.
Moses and the people hurried. Pharaoh and his armies hurried after them!
Then something awful happened.
Moses and God’s people came to a huge sea of water. They couldn’t go round it. They couldn’t go under it. They couldn’t go through it! They were scared. They said to Moses, ‘ Why did you bring us here to die!
Moses said.’ Don’t be afraid. Stand still and see how God will work to save you today.’
What was God going to do?
God is powerful. He is more powerful than anyone. He moved the sea. The water separated and it stood up like towers. The land became completely dry. God is so powerful. He was able to rescue the people. They walked on the dry land, with the water either side of them – all of them got safely to the other side.
Crossing the Red Sea Craft Idea
Week Five Luke 1:5-24 Zechariah and Elisabeth
Bible truth for toddlers – God is faithful
One day a man called Zechariah was in the temple. It was a very special place where people went to worship God. Zechariah had a special job to do there – just once in his life! He was a priest and he had been chosen to go and burn some incense that would make the temple smell beautiful. He was all by himself. All the other people had to wait outside.
Suddenly an angel was there with him. Angels are big, strong messengers from God. Zechariah was frightened!
‘Don’t be afraid’, the angel said, ‘God has heard your prayers and you and your wife Elisabeth are going to have a baby son. You will give him the name John.’
Now Zechariah should have believed the angel but he didn’t! ‘How can that happen?’ he said, ‘Elisabeth and I are far too old to have children!’
The angel said, ‘I am Gabriel. I stand in God’s presence everyday! I was sent to give you this good news. Now since you haven’t believed me you won’t be able to talk until the baby is born.’ Then Gabriel went away.
Zechariah finished what he was doing. He went outside but he couldn’t tell anyone what had happened!
He went back home. Time went by. Would God keep his promise?
God always keeps his promises. God is faithful. Zechariah and Elisabeth had a baby boy and they called him John.
God is faithful craft idea – Elizabeth and Zechariah
Make a picture of Elizabeth with her baby
To find printable PDF’s to use for Elizabeth and baby go to this post about Hannah. I’ve used the same pictures but for a different story.
Week Six Luke 2 God has made a way for us to know him
Bible truth for toddlers – God has made a way for us to know him
We have heard about how God is everywhere. God knows everything. God is powerful. God is holy. God is faithful. Today we find out that God has made a way for us to know him.
‘Mary and Joseph were in the stable. That night something amazing had happened. Jesus had been born as a baby. Jesus was not just an ordinary baby – he was God’s Son sent from heaven.
Out in the fields there were some shepherds looking after their sheep. It was dark. There were stars up in the sky. Suddenly an angel was there! This angel had a message from God.
The shepherds were scared!
‘Don’t be afraid,’ the angel said, ‘I bring you good news of great joy that is for everyone. Today in the Town of David a Saviour has been born to you!’
Who is this Saviour? It is Jesus
The angel told the shepherds ‘ You will find the baby wrapped in cloths and in a manger’.
Then there were lots and lots of angels in the sky singing. It was such a special night – the Saviour had been born.
Then the angels were gone. The shepherds looked at each other. ‘let’s go and find this special baby’, they said to each other.
They dashed into the town and they looked. And they found him – the Saviour sent from God was there. God had sent Jesus to be our Saviour so that we can know God. The shepherds found Jesus. You can find Jesus too.
(The characters are from Early Learning Centre. The ‘straw’ is shredded tissue paper.)
God has made a way for us to know him – craft Ideas
As this is the Christmas story there are so many craft ideas to choose from! Here’s a link to several ideas.
Salt dough egg decorations
Children of almost any age can decorate these simple egg shapes. We’ve used them at a toddler group, but they would be great for older children who would be able to do more intricate designs or pictures.
To make them you need to start with a salt dough. This is very easy. You need 2 cups plain flour, I cup of salt and I cup of water (add this gradually as you may not need it all). Kneed the dough on a floured surface and roll out to about 4mm thick. As you do this keep making sure it isn’t sticking to the work top. I used a template and cut around it. You could also use an egg shaped biscuit cutter. If you are making hanging decorations you need to make a hole for the thread about 1cm away from the edge.Smooth the edges of the eggs once you have cut them out. Then leave the shapes to dry. They will air dry, but it will take a long time (48 hours plus) or put them in a low oven, not more than 100C, for up to 4 hours. (They can burn so keep an eye on them). Once dry you can decorate with paint and/or felt pens.
We used felt tips to decorate but you could also glue coloured paper on to them and add glitter! A covering of PVA glue at the end will add a shine – but as you can see in the pictures the colours may run a bit.
Easter Egg salt dough decoration