Something A-Maze-Ing

Want to have an A-Maze-Ing time?  Make a maze!  Here's an easy maze activity that can be adapted to any size.  If you have a group of kids, find a larger box lid so the kids can work together to maneuver the ball through the maze.  Or use a smaller box for a travel-size game.

Here's what you need:

a box lid with sides, straws, 

glue, scissors 

and a pencil, maybe.

Either use the pencil to draw the maze on

the box lid; or just cut and arrange the

straws to you get an arrangement you like.

Once you have it the way you like it, 

take out one straw at a time and draw

a line of glue in it's place.

Replace the straw to dry.

Once all the straws are in place 

and have dried,

you can tilt the lid to move a

ball or matchbox car

through the maze.

You can have an a-maze-ing time

and talk about the amazing things

that Jesus came to do

while you play!

The Amazing Book

Here's a book your preschooler can write.
It's a book of Amazing Things!
This is a fun way to see what
your child sees as amazing.
And it's a great way to remind him
that while all of this is amazing,
Jesus can do even more amazing things!

Here's what you need to make your book:

Construction paper, markers or crayons

a hole punch and some ribbon or yarn.

Fold the construction paper in half 

to make the pages of your book.

Stack the pages together and use

the hole punch to make two

holes for binding.

Run the ribbon through the holes 

through all the sheets of paper.

Make a smooth binding 

in the middle.

Let your child make a large "A"

on the front of his book for

"Amazing"

Then let him draw on the pages

things that he feels are amazing.

Or you can cut out pictures from

magazines and gluestick them to the pages.

On the very last page, 

write 

"Jesus can do even more

amazing things than these!" 

Let your child "read" you what he thinks is amazing in this world.

This will give you countless chances to remind your child:

Jesus came to do amazing things!!

String of Hearts

We know that God loves everyone 

and here is a way to help your preschooler 

think about all the people in his life that God loves 

AND 

practice his cutting skills, too!

You will need

some construction 

paper, markers, 

scissors and tape.

Cut the construction 

paper in half and then 

fold each half down

the center.

You end up with card-like pages

Draw half of a heart on one side,

fold in the middle. 

Make your heart as wide as

you need to let your preschooler

succeed in cutting it out. 

Let your child cut on the lines 

and open his hearts.

Cut an opening on one side and 

link your hearts

taping the slit.

For every heart you link,

let your child name someone

that God loves;

family, friends 

and even those we don't know.

God loves everyone! 

Up and Down with Zacchaeus

What's more fun than climbing a tree?

Well, not much.  But most moms of preschoolers
prefer that they don't climb trees.  So here's a
craft that will let them help Zacchaeus climb
a tree and come down again, too!

Here's what you need:

A toilet paper tube, some green tissue paper, 

a small piece of cardstock,

scissors, markers or crayons, tape

and a craft stick.

Fold a piece of tissue paper in half

lengthwise, leaving the edges

 just a little uneven.

Roll the folded tissue around one end 

of the toilet paper tube and

tape it, making sure both edges

are caught in the tape

You can make tissue paper as long as

you'd like,  the more layers, the more leaves.

Just roll it and tape it as you go, on

top of itself.

Cut the tissue into strips, cutting down

close to the top of the tube.

Crumple each section to make leaves.

Cut a rectangle for your child to

draw Zacchaeus on, making sure

he will fit inside the tube. 

Tape Zacc to the end of a craft stick,

or a straw will work, too.

Now your child can make Zacchaeus climb

up the tree (through the center tube)

and look for Jesus from his high viewpoint.

Have fun helping him go up and down,

again and again......

Float a Boat

This activity only requires a few items:

A sponge, a straw, a piece of craft foam,

scissors and hole punch!

Cut a sail from the craft foam.

Punch a hole near the top

and another near the bottom

of the sail.

Thread the straw through the holes.

Use the scissors to make a slit in the sponge

but not all the way through.

Insert the end of the straw in the slit.

Now, during BathTime, your child can make

"waves" that toss the boat like the ones

that tossed the boat the disciples were in

when Jesus calmed the storm.

Walking on Water

Jesus can do ANYTHING

and this craft will let your child

retell the story of 

Jesus walking on the water! 

You will need some construction paper and 

markers or crayons, craft sticks, preferably two 

difference sizes, and scotch tape.

Start by making a boat.  You can let your 

child cut out the pieces, if they can handle scissors, Or you 

can let them draw it and cut it out for them.

Next, let them draw some water for the

boat to sail in...and for Jesus to walk on!

Either cut along one of the waves,

or let your child cut it.  

This makes a slit for the craft stick.

Again, depending on your child's ability,

they can either draw a picture of Jesus

on the construction paper,

or you can draw Him and cut Him out.

Tape Jesus to the craft stick, 

as shown.

Now your child can make Jesus 

walk to the boat on the water! 

Lunch for a Bunch

Here's an activity inspired by Bible Class Creations 

that will let your preschooler retell the story of

Jesus feeding the 5000 with one boy's lunch

You need a lunch bag, some colored paper,

or white paper to color,

tape, string & scissors.

Let your child cut out shapes 

of bread and fish. 

(if cutting is too hard, check the next pic)

Set 2 fish and 5 loaves aside.

If cutting is too difficult,

just make rectangles and let

your child draw the

bread and fish.

After setting aside the 2 & 5,

tape the remaining fish and

bread to a long piece of string.

Put the string in the bag.

Let your child tell the story:

One boy had a lunch

(open the lunch bag)

He had 5 rolls & 2 fish

(put in the loose fish/bread)

When Jesus blessed it, 

it became enough to feed

everyone!

(reach in bag and pull out string

with ALL the fish and bread)