That's a LOT of Fish!

We're making an undersea scene

 that you

can tweak to use what 

materials are easier for your child. 

For older preschoolers, you can use foam fish that you

put IN the bag of water.

For younger hands, you can substitute 

fish stickers and stick them to the outside of the bag.

You will need a sandwich-size ziplock baggie,

some blue food coloring, 

and some foam fish.

You only need a little water in the bag.

AND, you only need 1 drop of blue food coloring

since there isn't much water.

Then, let your child add in the fish.  

And there should be a lot, 

because Peter caught a lot of fish

when Jesus told him to go fishing!

Once the fish are in, carefully press out 

all the excess air so the bag lies flat.

If your child is younger, you can 

put tape over the seam to prevent

accidents.  

When the bag is flat on a table, you can

let the fish "swim" around, while you

talk about how many fish 

Peter caught when Jesus helped him.

Jesus can do anything!

The Brightest Star!

The Wise Men followed a bright star to find the child King. 

 Your child can make his own 

bright star to remind him of those early travelers. 

This is a super, NOT-messy craft!

Though you can adapt it to be messy, 

if you like.

As is, you need a sheet of laminating paper,

colored tissues paper, scissors, hole punch

and some yarn to hang your star.

For a messy version, you can 

glue the tissue paper to

card stock.  Your choice.  

Help your child mark off a

Star shape on the laminating sheet

and cut it out for them.

Tear pieces of tissue paper to 

brighten your star.

Peel the protective cover off the laminating 

sheet and lie it sticky side up on the table.

Let your child arrange the tissue scraps

in whatever arrangement they like

to cover the sticky surface.

Use a hole punch to make a

hole to thread a piece of 

yarn to hang your star.

Hang your star where you and your 

child can see it and talk

about what it would be like

to follow a star to find the One 

who was born to be King!

Cupcake Angels!

The angel brought great news to some shepherds;               Jesus is Born!

You can make your own angels

to share the Good News, too!

 

You need a cupcake liner, regular or jumbo size will work.

And a paper doily for wings,

card stock for the face

and a halo; a pipe cleaner, or glitter, if you're brave! 

This craft is posted by several sites online,

and there are endless variations! 

Use what you have and experiment!

Flatten the cupcake liner then fold it in half.

Fold it in half again, using a dot of glue  

near the top of the middle to help hold it

Cut a circle for the head

and two wings from the doily.

Let your child draw a happy face

(this angel is very happy!)

And wrap a small piece of the 

pipe cleaner for a halo.

You can glue anything shiny or even

glitter, if you dare, for the halo.

Glue the wings to the back

and the head to the front! 

Now your angel is ready to share

the good news:

Jesus is Born!

A Manger Scene

When Baby Jesus was born there was no room for Him,

 in an inn, so Mary's baby boy had to sleep in a manger.  

This is an easy craft for your child to make 

his own manger scene.

You'll need a piece of cardstock for a background,

craft sticks, popsicle sticks or coffee stirrers,

a pompom, wiggly eyes, a felt blanket

and some tacky glue.

This is a great craft for kids that love glue.

You have to use lots and that's just fun!

 

Make a nice blob of glue and cross your

craft stick to make a manger.

Cut strips of the brown paper for 

hay. 

Show you child how to fold the strips

like this:

Time for more glue!

It takes a decent amount to catch

all the "hay" to stick.

Glue the wiggly eyes to the pompom

and glue a felt square, or paper, 

for a blanket.

Then let it dry!!! 

Enjoy the Christmas story with your child!