Websites

By bunbun on Feb 23, 2010 | Reply

Most ideas are geared toward children’s ministry but concepts and ideas can be used in school as well…just use school concepts and phrases!! The ideas are listed but check out the web sites or just put "preschool activities for children" into any search engine (yahoo.com, google.com, dogpile.com, etc.)

Armor of God – Self Portrait
Kids create their own set of school or biblical armor
Be Thankful – for friends, teachers, schools, parents, etc.
Kid’s make a beautiful flower to remind them to be thankful for all God does.
Foam Fish
A brightly colored, magnetic, foam fish to remind you of Jesus.
Genealogy Wheel
Genealogy of Jesus, Genealogy of me.
God Dictionary
Kids will make a dictionary that describes what they know about God.
Jesus Pillow
As children drift off to sleep, they think about Jesus
Jonah & the Big Fish
A whale of a craft.
Mother’s Day Flower
Kids will make a beautiful flower, which displays their love and thankfulness for their mothers.
Palm Leaf Cross
A craft kids will treasure for years.
Picture It All for Jesus
Kid’s make a personalized three-dimensional picture that will help remind them how to live for Jesus
Seventy Times Seven
How many times should I forgive? A delightful craft to show how often we should forgive one another.
Stick Puppets
Instead of the kids reading their parts, let them act them out with these simple but exciting puppets
Tin Man
Kid’s creativity flourishes with this craft that has endless applications
Verse Pennant
An excellent way for the kids to remember their favorite verse from the Bible.
5 Steps to Knowing God’s Word
Kids will make a book mark to remember the five steps to having
God’s Word become a part of their life.

A Shining Star
A craft the children can hang on in their room or on a Christmas tree..

Consider the Birds
A craft to show how God provides for those He loves in special ways.

Floating Footprints
A fun craft that can be used to review Jesus’ miracles

Flying Fish
Spinning, colorful fish make great invitations to children’s church.

Hairy Heart
A wacky air freshener craft to remind the children how their love for Jesus is like sweet smelling fragrance.

Hearts on a Cross
A sweet craft to help the kids remember that Jesus loved them so much, he gave up his life on a cross.

I’m a Child of God
A fun craft to help children with their daily walk with God.

Listening Ears
Giggles abound with this craft.

Love & Kindness Coupons
Not only a craft, but also a thoughtful gift for the special someone. Easy to assemble but packed with love and kindness.

My Own Little World
This craft will help children realize the fun God must have had creating the universe.

My Prayer Card
A craft which will help children remember to pray for specific needs.

Samaritan Woman at the Well
Children relate this familiar Bible story to how we are all different and special because God made us in His image.

Self-Control Wheel
A fun way for kids to find a verse from the Bible that will help them when they feel tempted

Shepherd’s Table
Children use yummy treats to prepare a table as in Psalm 23: 5 "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies."

Shepherd’s Staff
Children are reminded how Jesus is the Good Shepherd by creating a shepherd’s staff.

7 Good Years-7 Bad Years
Children create a colorful grain silo to demonstrate the 7 good years and 7 bad years during the time of Joseph.

TitleDescription

7 Days of Creation
A little book with a big message!

7 Good Years-7 Bad Years
Children create a colorful grain silo to demonstrate the 7 good years and 7 bad years during the time of Joseph.

Bread of Life
Children will make an edible treat which represents Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.

Don’t Worry, Be Thankful
Kid’s make a field of flowers to show the many blessings they have from God.

Hide God’s Word in your Heart
This craft will help children memorize and keep the Word of God close to their heart.

My Gift to Jesus
A Christmas coloring craft to show how children can give special gifts to Jesus.

Special Angels
A wonderful craft to begin a Sunday School Class. The children have an opportunity to be creative while enjoying the fellowship of their classmates.

Spit Out Jonah
Kids create a fun beach scene that includes a whale spiting out Jonah and a few other things.

Thanksgiving Basket
A simple yet colorful basket the children can enjoy filling with God’s provisions.

The Missing Piece
People try to fill the empty spot in their hearts with many things.

White as Snow
A happy snowman to help the kids learn, "Your sins are like deep red cloth. But they can be as white as snow" Isaiah 1:18 (NCV)

A little book with a big message!

http://www.kidssundayschool.com/Main/Aids/participation.php
Class Participation
Bible Bucks or School Bucks
A fun incentive program to encourage children to participate in class activities.
Bible or School Detective
More than a game, a tool that will help children investigate the Word of God.
Bursting for a Verse
Add some bursting fun into looking up verses
Forming Teams
Creative and fun ways to form teams.
Listening Ears
A hilarious way to get kids to listen, or to speak up. Get ready for giggles! – Preschool or Grade School
Who Talks Next?
Fun ways to help preschooler know when it is thier turn to answer a question or share an idea. – Preschool

Guiding Stones
Help preschoolers and young children know where to go with this simple idea. – Preschool

My Special Place
Give younger children an exciting and special place to sit for discussion or storytime. – Preschool

Pick Me, Pick Me!
What to do when all the kids want to volunteer.

Skits & Role Plays –
Not Enough Parts
How to handle the assignment of parts when you have more kids than parts.
Bible Bucks
Bible Bucks are a great way to reward kids for good behavior, completing memory work, bringing their Bibles to Sunday school or even inviting their friends to church.

Once the kids have accumulated four or five Bible or School Bucks they will be allowed to trade their Bible Bucks in for assorted prizes or tasty treats. You may like to offer slightly better prizes for more Bible Bucks, but always ensure that you have rewards available for four or five Bible Bucks so that children do not become discouraged.

For an interesting game, called "Bible Detective", that utilizes bible bucks Click Here

http://www.childrensministry.com

Ages 0 – 2 | More…

Starting a Day Care in Your Church

Those Terrific Toddlers

Newbie Care Package

Predictability Counts

Ages 10 – 12 | More…

How to Rev Up Your 5th- and 6th-Grade Sunday School

The Disappearing Act

Multistory Structures

Get Them Talking

Ages 3 – 5 | More…

Teaching Bible Stories to Preschoolers

Come What May

The Wonder of Snow

Controlling The Pitch

Ages 6 – 9 | More…

Too Shy

Building Friendships

Community Classroom

Finding Success

MOUSE PADS

Kids can design their own mouse pads with this quick and easy activity. You’ll need assorted colors of craft foam, sticky back craft foam, pencils, and scissors. Give each child a 9X7½-inch sheet of sticky back craft foam. Have them choose a 9X7½-inch sheet of any color plain craft foam. Have kids cut out a Christian symbol such as a cross, fish, crown, or heart from a third piece of plain craft foam. The symbol must fit inside the 9X7½-inch sheet of craft foam. Have kids trace the symbol onto the craft foam, then carefully cut out the symbol. Kids can press the cutout into the stencil, creating a contrasting design. Have kids peel the backing off the sticky back craft foam, and then carefully place the sticky side on the bottom of the craft foam design, matching the edges.Kids can design their own mouse pads with this quick and easy activity.
You’ll need assorted colors of craft foam, sticky back craft foam, pencils, and scissors.
Give each child a 9X7½-inch sheet of sticky back craft foam. Have them choose a 9X7½-inch sheet of any color plain craft foam. Have kids cut out a Christian symbol such as a cross, fish, crown, or heart from a third piece of plain craft foam. The symbol must fit inside the 9X7½-inch sheet of craft foam. Have kids trace the symbol onto the craft foam, then carefully cut out the symbol. Kids can press the cutout into the stencil, creating a contrasting design. Have kids peel the backing off the sticky back craft foam, and then carefully place the sticky side on the bottom of the craft foam design, matching the edges.

Butterflies of Joy
Related Scripture: Matthew 28:7a, 1 Peter 1:3-4a

Kids will create colorful butterflies to celebrate the Resurrection
Theme: Jesus’ resurrection brings us joy and life. Scripture Spotlight 1: "Go quickly and tell his followers, ‘Jesus has risen from the dead’ " (Matthew 28:7a). Scripture Spotlight 2: "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In God’s great mercy he has caused us to be born again into a living hope, because Jesus Christ rose from the dead. Now we hope for the blessings God has for his children" (1 Peter 1:3-4a). Collect: Coffee filters, water, newspaper, wax paper, black chenille wire, eyedroppers or drinking straws, food coloring, and old margarine tubs
Here’s what to do:
Spread a think layer of newspaper on the floor or outside. Fill each old margarine tub with water and several drops of red, yellow, or blue food coloring. Be sure you have at least two tubs of each color. Place two eyedroppers or drinking straws in each tub. Give each student two coffee filters. Show kids how to drip colored water onto the filters to create designs and blend colors. Allow kids to color their filters however they wish, then place the filters on a sheet of wax paper in a warm, sunny place. When the filters have dried, distribute two 5-inch lengths of black chenille wire to each student. Show kids how to pinch each filter together, wrap the wire around the middle, then bend the wire to make antennae. Have kids repeat the process with the other filters so they each have two butterflies. Hang the butterflies from your ceiling as reminders that Jesus’ death and resurrection set us free.
For Further Fun:
•Have each child create a banner, using a 12×24-inch rectangle of paper. Kids can write messages such as "Jesus lives" or "He is risen" on their banners, then tape one butterfly to each edge.
•Children can cut smaller circles from the coffee filters to make smaller butterflies.

David and Jonathan’s Friendship Bracelets
Related Scripture: 1 Samuel 18, 1 Proverbs 17:17a

Make God’s word memorable with this favorite Bible story and have preschoolers make this tasty treat to go along with the story!
We can thank God for friends.
Terrific Tools:
Napkins (1 per child)
Fun Foods:
1 box small, circle-shaped cereal
1 package cherry licorice strings
Take a long string of cherry licorice. Thread the cereal onto the licorice until it is the size of a bracelet. Tie the licorice around someone’s wrist.
The Bible Story
David and Jonathan (1 Samuel 18)
Ask:
 What is a friend?
 What do friends do?
Say: David has a special friend. His name was Jonathan. They loved each other very much. Sometimes friends wear special bracelets that are gifts from each other. We call these friendship bracelets. Give each child a handful of cereal on a napkin and a licorice string.
Jonathan gave David some of his clothes to wear. Ask the children to thread three pieces onto the licorice string.
He also gave David his bow so he could shoot arrows. Have children string three more pieces of cereal. He gave David a belt to wear (have children string more cereal) and a sword to use in battles. Have children string more cereal.
Jonathan and David were best friends. Kind Saul was Jonathans father. Saul was angry because people were beginning to like David more then they liked him. Saul told Jonathan that Jonathan would never get to be king if David was around. So Saul tried to kill David.
David ran away from Saul. Jonathan told David that he would have to leave so the king would not find him. Have children add more cereal. David and Jonathan were very sad. David told Jonathan he would miss him. Have children string remaining cereal. Jonathan told David they would be friends for the rest of their lives, even if they couldnt do things together. Tie each childs friendship bracelet around his or her wrist. Ask:
 Why did Jonathan help David?
 The Bible says, øA friend loves at all timesÓ (Proverbs 17:17a). How do friends help each other?
 What can you do to be a good friend?
Pray: Dear God, thank you for giving us friends to have fun with and to help. Help each one of us to be a good friend today. Amen.
Encourage children to enjoy the cereal from their bracelets and to then eat the string!
Spice Up the Recipe!
 Use alphabet cereal to spell out your childrens names.
Using icing as øglue,Ó stick cereal letters to the top of a cookie or cupcake.

Glitter Jars
Related Scripture: Genesis 1:31
Author: Amy Nappa

Here’s an easy craft for grades K-2 that allows a good opportunity to talk about how God made the world.
GRADES K-2
Stuff you’ll need: Baby food jars with lids, small artificial flower blossoms, clay, glitter and nail polish.
Tell kids to:
•Press a piece of clay onto the inside of a baby food jar lid.
•Stick artificial flower blossoms into the clay.
•Fill the jar almost to the top with water. Then drop a few pinches of glitter into the jar.
•Screw the lid onto the jar.
•Paint around the edges of the lid with the nail polish. Allow to dry. This will seal the lid.
•Shake the jar. Then set it on its lid.
Talk teasers: As the glitter swirls around in the water, ask: How did you feel as you made your small world that glitters? How do you think God felt when he made the world? Genesis 1:31 says that God saw all that he had made and it was good. What do you think is good about your jar? about God’s creation?

Ollie Owls

Use this craft idea with lessons about wisdom and understanding. Let the owl represent listening and patience
Simple Supplies:
You’ll need empty bathroom-tissue tubes, scrap construction paper in orange and brown, brown paper grocery sacks, craft feathers, markers, glue sticks, scissors, and tape.
Directions:
1. Before class cut small, 1/2-inch triangles from orange and brown construction paper. Each child will need one orange triangle and two brown triangles. If you don’t have empty bathroom-tissue tubes, make 6-inch tubes from poster board.
2. Set out markers and glue sticks. Give each child a cardboard tube. Have children draw eyes on the top half of the tube. Mention to the children that they’re going to make hoot owls.
3. Distribute the orange and brown construction paper triangles. Tell children to glue an orange triangle below the eyes for the beak then glue the bown triangles as ears.
4. Set out craft feathers. Show children how to glue craft feathers to the bottom half of a tube as chest feathers for an owl.
5. Let children tear wings from the paper grocery sacks then tape the wings to the owl. Now Ollie Owl is ready to sit, fly, and say wise things!
Crafty Tips:
•With a few changes, the owl pattern may be adapted to use as Christmas angels or shepherds.
•Use this craft idea with lessons about wisdom and understanding. Let the owl represent listening and patience.
Extra Fun:
Say this rhyme while the children hold their owls like finger puppets and "fly" them around the room.
Who? Who? Who loves you?
Jesus, he’s the one.
Who? Who cares for you?
Jesus, he’s God’s Son. Yeah.

Summer Arts and Crafts

Here are 9 new ideas that’ll spark kids’ God-given creativity all summer long
Remember all those crafts you made as a child? Macaroni shells painted gold. Plaster of Paris handprints. Egg carton jewelry boxes.
Those artistic endeavors became treasure—not because of how much they cost—but because of what you invested in them—yourself! Each child’s craft was unique because each child’s view of beauty and God’s world was unique.
Craft time is more than merely a time-filler. Crafts—when done well—allow kids to express themselves with hands-on activity. Crafts can also provide a break for short attention spans, reinforce a lesson, and serve as a take-home tool to interact with parents.
The best crafts encourage individual expression. Since children’s ministers understand that, crafts are almost always part of our Christian education programs. It’s a wonder we don’t run out of craft ideas.
If there’s ever a time of year that a children’s minister can use great craft ideas, it’s now! With vacation Bible school, day camps, Sunday school, and other summer programs that stretch your repertoire of crafts, Children’s Ministry Magazine knew you’d be looking for crafts that have the right ingredients:
• low cost,
• low preparation, and
• lots of options for kids to be creative!
That’s what you’ll find in this special section of summer crafts. Plus, we’ve included expert information on how to adapt crafts for kids with special needs.
SILLYETTES
What You’ll Need: Poster board cut in half, tape, overhead projector, markers
various craft materials, such as feathers, fabric, paper, beads, yarn, or glitter, and
glue.
Kids will love making these fun self-portraits. When kids are finished, hang the portraits in your hallways for engaging decorations that parents will rush to see.
Tape a half-sheet of poster board to the wall. Place an overhead projector across the room from the paper. Have a child stand between the overhead projector and the paper so that his silhouette falls perfectly on the paper. Use a marker to trace around the child’s silhouette.
Then write the child’s name on the back of the paper and give the child the silhouette. The child can use craft materials to make the silhouette a silhouette a sillyette.
GRASS SEED SAMSON
What you’ll need: one rinsed 1/2-pint milk carton for each child, potting soil, grass seed, construction paper, fine-tipped markers, and glue sticks.
Here’s a version of the Chia Pet planter! Only it’s a Chia Samson!
Give each child a ½-pint milk carton. Open the top of the milk carton so the carton becomes an open cube. Have the children glue construction paper around the carton to cover the milk logo. Then help the children draw a Samson face (up to the forehead) on the construction paper. The top of the carton is the hairline.
Fill each carton with potting soil about ½ inch from the top. Then sprinkle grass seed on the soil and cover the seed with a thin layer of soil.
Set the “Samsons” in a sunny windowsill and keep them well watered.
After a few days, each Samson’s hair will begin to grow! Once it gets a few inches long, kids can cut the “hair” and retell the Bible story.
Wendy Nelson
Hampton, Iowa
POTATO PRINTS
What you’ll need: potatoes, permanent markers, knife (adults only), thick liquid temera point, small paintbrushes, pie tins, and poster board cut in half.
This is a great way for kids to use natural ingredients to create place mats for others, such as their families, your church, or a shelter.
Ahead of time, cut the potatoes in half. Draw a simple nature design on each half, such as a tree or a leaf. Use an X-Acto knife to carve around the design. The raised area will create the printed image. This will work better if you have at least one potato stamp for every two children so they can share.
Lay out the poster board and the potato stamps. Pour the paint into the pie tins or paper plates. Then have children take turns with this process:
• Brush paint onto the design area of a potato stamp.
• Press the stamp firmly onto the paper, being careful not to move or drag it.
• Lift the stamp carefully and repeat the process an inch or two away from the first stamp.
SANDY SCENES
What you’ll need: sand, powdered tempera paint, glue, card stock, small bowls, paintbrushes, water, and crayons.
Here’s a new way for kids to celebrate God’s creation.
For each sand color, pour ¼ cup sand and 1 tablespoon powdered tempera paint into a small bowl or paper cup.
Have children follow these steps:
• Draw a picture with a crayon on a sheet of card stock.
• Use glue to “draw” over the lines on your drawing.
• Sprinkle colored sand on the glue.
• Allow picture to dry for 10 to 15 minutes before you shake off the extra sand.
• To cover large areas of a picture, paint the areas with diluted glue. Then sprinkle colored sand on the area.

SPOON PUPPETS
What you’ll need: wooden spoon for each child, glue, foil, markers, cotton balls, yard, fake fur, fabric, ribbon, and scissors.
These spoon puppets become great storytelling props for later.
Give each child a wooden spoon. You can even have kids bring these from home to keep the costs down.
Tell kids to:
• Choose a person from the Bible and draw that person’s face on the oval part of your spoon.
• Dress your person according to what he or she would’ve worn.
Suggestions: Cotton balls or yarn can be used for beards or hair. Fake fur and fabric work for clothing. And foil makes great weapons and armor.
Once the spoon puppets are made, have kids use them to retell Bible stories.
Beverly Schwind
Fairfield Colade, Tennessee
PAPER BEAD NECKLACE
What you’ll need: colorful magazines or catalogs, scissors, jewelry cord, small craft beads, toothpicks, and glue.
This is a beautiful environment-friendly craft.
Have children follow these steps:
• Cut colorful magazine pages into 25 long triangles. These triangles need to be 1 inch at the base and at least 8 inches long.
• With the most colorful side facing down, place the toothpick at the base of the triangle.
• Roll the toothpick toward the point, wrapping the paper around the toothpick as you roll.
• Add a dab of glue at the paper point and press against the rolled paper. Once the glue has dried, remove the toothpick.
• When all the paper beads are dry, string them onto the jewelry cord and place craft beads between the paper beads.
CLAY CREATIONS
What you’ll need: several colors of polymer clay, wax paper, rolling pin, knife (adults only), small cookie cutters, permanent marker, pin back for each child, and a hot glue gun (adults only).
Children love squishing clay with their hands. Once they’ve pounded, kneaded, rolled, and shaped this clay, they’ll have neat clay pins to wear or give away.
Tell kids to:
• Choose two colors of clay.
• Knead the clay until soft.
• Flatten one color of clay into a rectangle.
• Place the clay between two sheets of wax paper and flatten with a rolling pin. Roll until you have a rectangle that is 1/8 inch thick.
• Follow the previous steps with the other color of clay.
• Peel off the wax paper and stack the rectangles on each other.
• Have an adult cut the layers into strips 3 inches long and 1/8 inch wide.
• Place four strips side by side with alternating colors facing up. Repeat with four more strips, and place the second stack on top of the first, creating a checkerboard pattern.
• Have an adult cut the stack into 1/8 inch thick slices.
• Place slices side by side to create a larger checkerboard.
• With a cookie cutter, cut the checkerboard piece into a shape.
• Use a permanent marker to write your initials on the back of the shape.
• To harden the clay, bake it according to the clay’s package directions.
Once the clay is hardened and cool, help the kids hot glue a pin back to the back of their design. Allow the glue to dry before wearing.
FRIENDSHIP POSTCARDS
What you’ll need: 4×6 index cards, magazines, old greeting cards, scissors, and glue sticks.
With kids on vacations this summer—and with sporadic church attendance—this is a great craft to keep kids in touch with one another.
Have kids cut out of magazines words or phrases that have friendship themes, such as “friends forever,” “best friends,” “pal,” or “buddy.” Kids can also cut out words that make them think of friends, such as “giggling,” “fun,” or “good times.” Have kids glue the phrases on one side of each 4×6 card to create friendship collage cards. Kids can make more than one card. Collect the cards when they’re complete. When a child is absent, use the blank side of the card to write a note and the child’s address. Attach a postage stamp and drop the card in the mail.

Believe the Impossible!

Use this activity to show kids that what they think is impossible can sometimes really happen. Small prizes, potatoes, and drinking straws are needed, and the activity can be tied into any miraculous Bible story.
What you’ll need: A Bible, a small surprise for each child, such as a pack of gum or coupon for free ice cream; a bowl of raw potatoes (one for each child); and a package of straws (one straw for each child).
Preparation: Hide the prizes in a paper sack and put the sack out of sight. Set out the bowl of raw potatoes and a stack of plastic drinking straws. You may want to scrub the potatoes in advance, so the kids don’t soil their clothes. As kids arrive, give them each one potato and one straw.
Say: I have a great prize for anyone who can poke a straw clear through a potato. No fair using a knife or breaking your potato. I’ll give you a minute or two to see if you can accomplish this amazing feat. Remember, there’s a prize to be won, so give it your best shot!
Give the kids a couple minutes to try to get their straws through their potatoes. If anyone succeeds, tell him or her not to let anyone else know how to do it. If no one succeeds, have the children set their straws and potatoes aside.
Say: I guess I’ll just have to keep the prizes for myself. Or I could let you in on the secret of how to do this trick. Let the kids egg you on.
Then say: Oh, all right. I guess since I’m such an amazingly wonderful teacher, I’ll show you how to do it. But before I do, I need to know something.
Ask: Do you believe I can poke a straw through this potato? Why or why not? (No, because if we couldn’t do it, you can’t either; no, because a straw isn’t strong enough to go through a potato; yes, because you’ve read about how to do it.)
Say: Stand up if you think I can poke this straw through this potato. OK, now I need a drum roll from everyone who’s standing. Pat your hands on your legs while your truly amazing teacher performs this truly amazing feat.
Cover the top of your straw with your thumb and poke it through the potato with one firm stroke.
Then say: Wow! That really is amazing, isn’t it? I guess since I’m the only one who did it, I should keep the prizes for myself. No? Ok, here’s how you do it: Cover the top of the straw with your thumb and hold it there tightly as you punch the straw through.
Help each child accomplish the trick. Then pass out the prizes. Use the trick to transition to a miraculous story in the Bible, such as the story of Abraham and Sarah finally being given Issac, after many years of longing for a child.

The Little Lost Sheep

Tell this wonderful story and then make a craft to show your children how Jesus will take care of us and keep us safe just like the shepherd took care of his sheep.
Once there was a shepherd who had 100 sheep. He always took good care of his sheep. Every day, the shepherd took his sheep to eat grass from the pasture and drink water from the stream. Every night, the shepherd counted his sheep as they went into the sheepfold. One night, the shepherd discovered that one of this sheep was missing. He left the other sheep to go look for it. Finally, the shepherd found his sheep. He pulled it from the bush and carried it home on his shoulders. The shepherd was so happy that he’d found his sheep! He invited all his friends to come and celebrate with him. Jesus is like that good shepherd. He’ll take care of us and keep us safe, just like the shepherd took care of his sheep.
Love Lambs (craft)
Draw a simple sheep shape on a sheet of paper. Set out cotton balls and glue sticks. Hold up a cotton ball and complete the sentence, "I love you because…" Tell something you love about each child, such as "I love you because you’re a good helper." Then dip the cotton ball in glue, and stick it inside the sheep shape. Allow children to add cotton balls, telling what they love about you and about each other. Continue until you have a fluffy reminder that you’re all God’s special sheep.
References :
http://www.kidssundayschool.com
http://www.childrensministry.com

By tuggers2001 on Feb 23, 2010 | Reply

That would be advertising my dear!!!!!!!!!!!!
References :

By MomOfThree on Feb 24, 2010 | Reply

Try the following web sites. Both are FREE
References :
http://www.crayola.com
http://www.schoolexpress.com