Bible stories, crafts and creative ideas for toddler groups, children's ministry and families
Hannah Prays story and craft for young children. A Bible Story all about talking to God and how God hears us when we talk to him. The Story is from 1 Samuel 1:1-20 Hannah Prays – Story Bible Truth for Toddlers – God hears us when we talk to him In the story bag we … Read More “Hannah Prays Story and Craft” »
David defeats Goliath is a well known Bible Story found in 1 Samuel 17. This is a simple retelling of the story for toddlers Bible Truth for Toddlers – God helps us God’s people were in a lot of trouble! They were hiding in their tents! Every day their enemy laughed at them. Their enemy … Read More “David defeats Goliath” »
Josiah reads God’s book bible story. Josiah was King in Judah at a very difficult time. The temple was in need of repair and God’s people were not following God’s law. This Bible Story tells of how God’s Book was found and how Josiah read God’s Book to the people. It’s taken from 2 Kings … Read More “Josiah reads God’s Book” »
X is for Xerxes is part of our Bible Alphabet. The following is a much shortened telling of the story of Esther, King Xerxes and Haman. When you are telling a story in a toddler group you have to shorten the narrative and find a way to tell the story simply. To read the full … Read More “X is for Xerxes” »
Easy to make finger paint that uses three ingredients (and one of them is water!) I spent quite a while searching on line for ready made finger paints but was put off by some of the reviews. I really don’t want children breaking out in a rash because of allergies. The best thing about making … Read More “Easy to make finger paint” »
These crowns are made from a dough that has three ingredients – and one of them is cold water! It’s air drying so you need to make it a few days before you want to decorate the shapes. If you are celebrating The Coronation Twinkl has some great ideas and resources here with lots of … Read More “Let’s make crowns to decorate!” »
The People of God were in the wilderness. They had escaped from Egypt but were thirsty. They moaned! God told Moses to strike the rock and out came water. The story is from Exodus 17:1-7 W is for Water from the Rock – story idea Have you ever felt hungry? God’s people had been hungry … Read More “W is for Water from the Rock” »
Getting started in Bible Storytelling in a Toddler Group is sometimes daunting! It isn’t just that there are toddlers that we want to keep engaged but their adults are there too. This short course is to help you feel more confident and be well prepared. It can work as a refresher course too. There are … Read More “Getting Started in Bible Storytelling!” »
Make a basket using a large paper plate! This is a great basket to make for an Easter Egg Hunt. See end of post for some other ideas too! Baskets are really useful! All you need How to make the baskets If making these with young children you may want to do several of the … Read More “Let’s Make a Paper Plate Basket!” »
Make a ‘Thank you God’ book to share with toddlers; a great way to teach children about how wonderfully made they are. We used our ‘Thank you God’ book over several weeks at toddler group. Each week we had an activity to tie in with the theme and sang songs that were connected. Make a … Read More “Make a ‘Thank you God’ book” »
Samuel heard God’s voice. At first he thought it was Eli calling to him. But, after hearing his name being called three times and running to see Eli the priest realises it is God calling Samuel. The story is found in 1 Samuel 3:1-10 Samuel heard God’s Voice story idea In the story bag have … Read More “Samuel heard God’s Voice Story and Craft to make” »
The Wheels on the Bus is a well known and often sung song at Toddler Group so we made a fun craft to go with the song. The Bus can be decorated with collage materials and crayons. We added some fun face stickers too. Some ideas for collage materials You can decide if you want … Read More “The Wheels on the Bus Craft” »
In Mark 1:16-20 we read about Jesus calling his first disciples. Jesus calls his first disciples – Bible Story Idea To tell the Story you will need the different characters, a boat, a net and a fish in the Story Bag. Take them out as you need them. One day Jesus was walking along near … Read More “Jesus calls the First Disciples” »
A lift the flap craft! Can you find the lost sheep? This craft is not only something to make but will help to retell the story of the Shepherd finding his lost sheep. (From Luke 15:1-7) Children are familiar with lift the flap books – something to find on the page that’s hidden under a … Read More “Can you find the lost sheep? – craft & story” »
Let’s meet Anna and Simeon who saw Jesus in the Temple in Jerusalem. We read about them in Luke 2:22-38. This story isn’t always told at Christmas time but it fits in between the visit of the Shepherds and the arrival of the Wise men. (When Herod starts to anxiously look for Jesus in Matthew … Read More “Let’s meet Anna and Simeon!” »
The Birth of Jesus story video for young children to enjoy. Jesus’ birth is the heart of Christmas. This story video begins with the journey to Bethlehem and ends with the Shepherds visit. Feel free to use and share. A lovely craft idea to do – make a Christmas collage using wrapping paper and Christmas … Read More “Birth of Jesus Story Video” »
This is a lovely lion craft using paper curls that are surprisingly simple to make. The paper curls add a lot of texture for the mane. If you use a variety of yellow and orange colours it adds some depth to the finished craft. It’s really important that you use light weight paper to make … Read More “Lion Craft using Paper Curls” »
We will be celebrating Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee at toddler group with crowns to make, cakes and a special song! The bunting will be up! Here are some Platinum Jubilee Ideas for you! Platinum Jubilee crowns to make Depending on your budget and size of your group there are two choices. You can buy ready … Read More “Platinum Jubilee Ideas” »
This Story is from Matthew 13:44. It’s all about finding treasure in a field. It’s just one verse but one clear meaning too – being in God’s kingdom is worth more than everything else. Treasure in a field story Idea You need some treasure in a box, a green blanket/cloth and a trowel or spade … Read More “Treasure in a Field – Stories Jesus Told” »
In Acts 9:36-43 we meet Tabitha (her Aramaic Name) or Dorcas (her Greek name), a follower of Jesus who sews clothes for the women in the church. The simple craft is a printout of a T-shirt that the children can decorate with fabric pieces. Use any fabric that you have! When Tabitha dies the church … Read More “Followers of Jesus – Tabitha (Dorcas)” »
This parable of the builders is from Luke 6:46-49. It’s a great story to tell as you can dress up as a builder, use actions, sing the song ‘The Wise Man Built His House Upon The Rock’, and, if you are feeling adventurous, use sand rock and water. But it is really helpful to explain … Read More “Parable of The Builders – Stories Jesus Told” »
Lost Sheep Bible Stories with two craft ideas for different age groups.
God knows when I feel sad and when I feel happy is a toddler friendly version of the Easter Story. We focus on how Jesus’ friends felt and how they were sad because he had died and then happy at the conclusion of the story. This is a suitable way to tell the Easter story … Read More “God Knows When I Feel Sad and When I Feel Happy” »
Easter Craft – a paper Easter Garden that is easy to make. Easter Gardens are lovely but if you don’t have the time to make a garden with soil and real plants then this is a simple alternative. It is a great reminder of the Story of Easter. To make the Easter Garden you need … Read More “Easter Craft – a paper Easter Garden” »
God knows when I feel excited is all about Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem. Children are often excited so it’s great to tell a story they will relate to. This story from Matthew 21 is about the excited crowd who welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem. Traditionally this event is called Palm Sunday. It begins the week of … Read More “God Knows when I feel….excited!” »
God knows when I feel thankful is a story from Luke 17:11-19. God knows when I feel thankful story idea I used 10 wooden spoons to represent the ten men that asked Jesus to help them. On one side there is a sad face and on the other a happy face. Turn the spoons around … Read More “God knows when I feel….thankful” »
God knows when I feel scared. God really does know how we feel. This week’s story is from Luke 8:22-25 when the disciples were scared. Even though Jesus was sleeping during the storm he is the Son of God, and he still knew how the disciples felt. God knows when I feel scared story idea … Read More “God knows when I feel….scared” »
God knows when I feel busy! This term we are telling Bible Stories that remind us that God knows how we feel. We start with Martha feeling busy. The story is from Luke 10: 38-42. Each week there will be a different emoji paper plate face that represents how the character in the story is … Read More “God knows when I feel….. busy!” »
This Bible Story had lots of numbers! 2 fish, 5 loaves, 12 baskets of leftovers and 5,000 people! But we are using it to count to five. The Story is from John 6. It is, of course, ‘The feeding of the 5,000’. The Bible Truth for Toddlers is ‘Jesus is amazing!’. There is also something … Read More “The Boy with 2 Fish and 5 Loaves – A Bible Number Story” »
The Man with Four Friends is our next Bible number story in the series. We are up to the number four! For the other numbers we have told stories about have a look at these links – Number One, Number Two, Number Three This week the Bible Story is from Mark 2:1-22. The Bible Truth … Read More “The Man with Four Friends – A Bible Number Story” »
Paper plate fish craft to make. There are so many Bible Stories with fish! You could use this craft for Creation, the Calling of the first disciples, the Great catch of fish, Jesus making breakfast. Paper plate fish craft – all you need Here’s a link to another fishy craft. This post also has a … Read More “Paper Plate Fish Craft” »
Jesus and three disciples is our next Bible number story. We are up to the number 3. This Story is from Matthew 17:1-13. (We have already thought about Jonah and One Big Fish and Noah and Two of Every Animal.) This week’s Bible Truth for Toddler’s is, ‘We can listen to Jesus.’ To tell the … Read More “Jesus and Three Disciples – A Bible Number Story” »
Playdough recipe to make in the microwave. Don’t be tempted to leave out the cream of tartar, you need it to stop the dough going off. Ingredients Playdough recipe method Your playdough is ready when everything has come together to form a dough. Watch it closely as you cook it in the microwave and reduce … Read More “Playdough Recipe” »
storytelling tip#27 is … Tell it like you mean it Tell your Bible Story with conviction. These are the best stories and we have the privilege of sharing them. Tell them in such a way that your listeners know that the Bible is important to you. Tell them in such a way that your listeners … Read More “Stortelling tip #27” »
Some details add to your story Young children are focused on their world. They know about feeling hungry, tired, happy, sad. They know about home. They know what daytime and nightime are. The weather is part of their everyday. Use these familiar things when you tell the Bible Story. If it happened at night mention … Read More “Storytelling tip #26” »
Be clear When telling the Bible Story use words that everyone understands. Don’t clutter your story with terminology that you won’t have time to explain. Tell everyone that Zacchaeus was short but leave out his job. You don’t have time to explain to toddlers what tax is.
Use your voice You can talk quietly, you can whisper, you can talk LOUDLY. (Don’t shout). Vary your volume. It will make the story sound more interesting. Don’t talk too quickly – we sometimes speed up when we are nervous. Try to use a friendly, calm tone. If you aren’t sure how you sound, record … Read More “Storytelling tip #24” »
Keep your adult listeners busy When telling a Bible Story to toddlers it helps to keep their adults involved. Encourage everyone to join in with a variety of actions to do, phrases to repeat, sounds to make.
Repetition is good.. repetition is good.. A phrase that repeats during the story is great for helping everyone to join in. It could be ‘can you see him?’ for a story about the lost sheep or, ‘where is it?’ for the lost coin. Have a look at this retelling of The Good Samaritan and spot … Read More “Storytelling tip #22” »
Add some sound What sound does a …. make? This is a great question to ask during a Bible Story. It gets the toddlers thinking and they can all join in and make the noise. If it’s a story about sheep everyone can say baa. If it’s a pig in the story, it’s an oink. … Read More “Storytelling tip #21” »
Give your listeners something to do Think – ‘are there any actions we could do during this story?’ Actions are a good way of getting everyone involved (especially the adults). Looking, walking, running, sleeping, hidingclimbing – all these things can have actions. You don’t need too many. But add a few actions if they naturally … Read More “Storytelling tip #20” »
Keep it short Do your best to keep the story short. Toddlers aren’t going to listen to a long story. Practice your story – time yourself. Aim for your story to feel short to the listeners. It shouldn’t drag or go on and on…
Be prepared for Christmas! Invite your pastor or a staff member from your church to come to toddler group to tell the Christmas Story. It’s an opportunity for them to meet people at the group. And it gives you time to think about the special craft and festive food that you will probably be busy … Read More “Storytelling tip #18” »
Share the load If you can, share the telling of Bible stories with others. We can learn from each other. Be supportive of one another and offer encouragement. It’s sometimes really helpful to have an extra pair of hands to hold a storytelling prop; ask for help from others in the team.
Begin storytime with a song Instead of announcing storytime with, ‘It’s storytime’, start with a song. It will become your theme song that tells everyone that it’s time for a story. Choose something simple and easy to join in with. Familiar tunes with your own words are great. Once you have your song stick with … Read More “Storytelling tip #16” »
