Bucket lists are a rage for both summer and winter, ones that might not be as intimidating to some kids as “lists of goals and dreams.” This New Year craft allows children to make wish lists about things they’d like to enjoy that could bring them closer to Christ. Materials: • Construction paper in various colors • Scissors • Stick glue • Pen and/or crayons • Large, lined index cards • Bucket Template Preparation: To make the craft look nicer, cut out the components for your children on the construction paper before class begins. This will also give them a chance to focus more on their thought ..read more

It’s pumpkin season, and time to get ready for all of our favorite pumpkin crafts, games and object lessons!  Why not add a few of these Pumpkin activities to your fall fun!    Fall Pumpkin Craft: Pumpkin Mobile All kids know that pumpkins are great for making Jack-O-Lanterns and for making pumpkin pie.  This fun pumpkin craft will also give them a way to remember the spirit of Christian rather than spooking spirits, by writing Christian messages on the dangling “baby” pumpkins.   Happy Pumpkin Faces: A Pumpkin Object Lesson Pumpkin painting can be a little messy, but ..read more

sceS’mores are a great way to explain Ascension Day and show how Jesus will have us rise from a very dark world into the realm of heaven one day. Materials: • Jumbo Hershey bar • Marshmallows, standard size • Graham crackers • Napkins or paper towels Instructions: 1. Break the Hersey bar into sections of four squares per student. 2. Break the graham crackers into squares 3. Place the chocolate on the graham cracker and a marshmallow on the chocolate. 4. Serve on napkins or paper towels Instructions: Note: You can speak while making the snack! S’mores are a great way to show what happened in th ..read more

If you are looking for a new craft idea for mom this Mothers Day, check out these Cupcake Liner Flowers! You can make them in any of the many cupcake liner designs you can find in so many stores today — and they are often an inexpensive supply! Materials: – Colored cupcake liners. Most printed and colored liners are found in craft stores, but check your local grocer who may carry them as well. – Card stock for stem and leaf – Pipe cleaner – Glue or paste (a hot glue gun works the best and quickest) – Embellishment of your choice for middle of flower Introduction: Let’s make a bouquet of beaut ..read more

Kids are fascinated by extreme weather. As we celebrate Earth Day we can think about God’s creation and how it includes some truly spectacular forces of nature, like the tornado. This Earth Day science experiment will give kids a chance to see one up close! Materials • Two clear two-liter bottles (cleaned, with caps) • Water • Clear plastic wrap • Duct tape Instructions Fill one of the bottles with water. Put the empty bottle on top of the filled bottle (open end to open end). Wrap plastic wrap tightly around ends and tape securely with duct tape. Be sure to reinforce the duct tape so the bot ..read more

The Bible tells us to love our neighbor as much as we love ourselves, and Valentine’s Day is a perfect time to do this. These “action” cookies, a gift for parents, will help students understand how love actions speak louder than words. Materials: • Two heart shaped cookies for each child. This can be done with your favorite cookie recipe and a cookie cutter. However, a large round sugar cookie may be substituted. • Red icing • An ample supply of candy hearts that say, I love you, Be mine, etc. • A 1 inch x 1 inch white cardboard heart • A red ink marker with a narrow point Note:  The teac ..read more

What would 4th of July be without fireworks? The following science experiment will demonstrate how students can create “fireworks” that are safe and fun and will illustrate some basic tenets of our Christian faith. Material: – Water – Oil – Food coloring (red and blue) – Tall clear glass – A second cup or glass – Fork Introduction: Why do we like fireworks? They’re pretty. They explode. In almost every part of the world fireworks are used to celebrate glorious events because they fill the sky with color and joy. In our country, however, they signify the sounds of cannons and guns used as we fo ..read more

Jesus has been called “the rock of our salvation.” Most kids can know Christ in this way if they understand that “Dad rocks!”   This Father’s Day Craft will introduce children to the idea that fathers are not only bread winners; they are the image of God to their children. Or to put it in more contemporary terms, dads “rock!” Photo Source: http://www.cobwebscupcakesandcrayons.com Material: Smooth Rocks. If you cannot find a rock, make one out of play dough. Brown craft paint to color a rock made of play dough and additional paint in color of your choice to paint designs on the rock ..read more

This Memorial Day game will help children learn the importance of remembrance. It will also teach them that kindness and justice will live on in people’s minds longer than evil ever will. Materials – Hershey Kisses – Black Permanent Marker Object Children will test their memories as they compete to see who can make the most pairs! Preparation For each two children, make one group of eight-ten Hershey kisses. Break each group of Hershey Kisses into four-five pairs. On the bottom of each pair, you will draw matching shapes (ie- two hearts, two smiley faces, two squares etc ..read more

Earth Day provides great chances to think of the different ways we can help the earth. One way that kids often enjoy this is by thinking about endangered species. There are all different kinds of animals that are endangered, but the polar bear tends to be a favorite among children. This Earth Day science experiment of making polar-bear fur out of balloons will help them see God’s hand in the design of his creatures! Earth Day Science Experiment: Making “Polar-Bear Fur” Materials – Lots of balloons – Large container – Ice water – Rubber bands Steps 1. Fill the container with ice water. 2. Ask ..read more