Here’s a cute spin off of “Rock, Paper, Scissors” to accompany a lesson on Samson from teachingthem.com
Basically, the kids pair up & on the count of 3 choose to make a muscle pose (Samson), “girlie”pose (Delilah) or lion pose (roar & show claws).
Following the rules of the traditional game: Samson beats the lion, the lion beats Delilah & Delilah beats Samson…”you tie, you die”
Eliminate the losers each round & form new pairs.
Find the full instructions here:
Preschoolers love puppets! This script is a perfect segue into the fact that Jesus proved He was real after the resurrection. He didn’t simply appear to his followers, He let them touch his nail scarred hands & He ate with them.
Use clip art and cardstock to create an easy game for preschoolers. Show them the cards, one by one, and see if they can guess what important thing is missing in each picture.
Ask the kids if they’ve ever lost anything that was special to them.
This is a great way to introduce the Parable of the Lost Sheep, The Prodigal Son…or perhaps Jesus as a young boy missing on the way home from the temple…or even Jesus’ body missing from the tomb! So many uses!
Tech talented folks could even make a video version!
Use this easy finger play to teach preschoolers the Gospel message:
God made me (Hands forming something)
God loves me (hands cross over heart)
God wants me to follow Him (walk to the right)
But I want to go my own way (cross arms & walk to the left)
That’s called sin! (Whisper with hand to mouth)
And that’s a problem! (Tap chin)
Because God hates sin! (Mad face)
…but He loves me! (Hug yourself)
But God had a plan! (Finger up)
He gave His only Son, Jesus (hands extended)
To make a way for us (widen hands)
He came as a baby (squat and suck thumb)
And grew into a man (rise to stand-hands on hips)
He died on a cross (arms out-as on a cross)
Was buried (arms crossed-squat)
And rose 1-2-3 days later (rise on 3rd count)
He’s alive! He came to our rescue! (Hands up-celebrate!)
Thank you, Jesus! I’ll follow you! (Kneel-pray)
This is one of my favorite object lessons for preschoolers when sharing the Gospel message.
Instructions:
Application:
**if you have a large group, just use one large black heart that only you put in the lid as a demonstration & reveal an identical large white heart in the box.
Either way, preschoolers never fail to be amazed by it!
I used this cute idea from The Fantastic Five blog when teaching my VBS lesson on Lazarus this morning!
Simply take an eye dropper and some water & place “tears” on the cheeks of the “mourners.” Then have a good cry over Lazarus’ death. The kindergarteners loved it!
Check out her entire lesson here:
http://thefantasticfive-hockmana.blogspot.com/2011/04/bible-alive-tuesday-lazarus-come-out.html?m=1
I was also able to find a free printable version of the story of Lazarus here:
Use a “surprise box” to introduce your lesson! Place objects or pictures in it that will build interest in the Bible story. It’s a great tool that can help you be a more effective storyteller! (…Not to mention, preschoolers love the anticipation of what’s inside!!) Try it! You’ll have their full attention!
Ephesians 2:20 “…built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.”
Items needed:
Instructions:
2. When the timer sounds, everyone must take their hands off the blocks & step away from the tower.
3. Judges (or other teams) may blow on the tower without touching it to see if it will hold.
4.If the tower tumbles after the timer & before the measurement is recorded, Team is disqualified.
5. Judges will measure the tower & record the score.
6. After all teams have had a turn, the highest recorded measurement wins!
Application:
Notice that the tallest, sturdiest towers were built on a strong foundation. Make sure you build your life on the solid foundation of Jesus & God’s Word!
Preschool Bible teachers seem to have many opportunities to talk about sheep! Bible stories for kids are filled with lessons about them! From Easter to Christmas…and everything in between…sheep and shepherds are a common biblical theme.
The following is a fun finger play for preschoolers written by Susan M. Dailey that would be a great complement to any lesson involving sheep.
I will be utilizing it this week as I teach the Parable of the Lost Sheep to kindergarteners. I think it will be one that will be recycled in many future lessons!
Please follow the link below to find the original fingerplay and accompanying song.
Dancing Sheep Finger Play by Susan M. Dailey
|
Dancing Sheep Shhh! It’s time to go to sleep “Don’t go to bed,” the one sheep said. Soon he was… (draw these words out) He kept on… Dancing on the ceiling! “Stop that dancing, silly sheep. Soon the sheep lay on the floor. So I started … (draw these words out) -written by Susan M. Bailey |
Where is the Green Sheep by Mem Fox is a great companion book when teaching The Parable of the Lost Sheep to preschoolers. Although Ms. Fox’s book is not based on the biblical lesson, it is a fun rhyming book about a lost sheep (that is found in the end) that would complement the parable in a way that preschoolers would enjoy.
Below is a link to a You Tube storyteller reading the book:
You can find the book online at various retailers.
I made a large version to read to my class from coloring pages based on the book purchased here:
Where is the Green Sheep Coloring pages
We can remind the children that just like we looked for the green sheep in the story…Jesus searches for us when we are lost.
Need a no prep, easy time filler or transition activity? Try this quick interactive way to teach kids a Bible Verse (…& have fun while they’re at it!)
“Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick tempered displays folly.” Proverbs 14:29
Items needed:
Instructions:
We have 2 balloons. One is ‘Penelope Patient’ & the other is ‘Quentin Quick Temper.’ Team 1 will go first & see how long they can keep ‘Ms Patient’ up in the air. We will then give Team 2 a turn to try to beat their score with ‘Mr Q.'”
Application:
This game was a picture of what it is like to be around a patient person & a quick tempered person!
When someone “loses their cool” easily, like “Mr Quick Temper,” it’s difficult for everyone around them! Even though Team 2 was trying to work together…that balloon was unpredictable & frustrating to everyone around it! Nothing was able to get accomplished!!
The team that was working with “Ms Patient” wasn’t completely free of problems…but it made their job MUCH easier & they were able to be much more successful!
It’s true in real life as well! Doesn’t your family run more smoothly when everyone is patient? Doesn’t it make even difficult tasks more enjoyable when everyone is calm, steady, peaceful & kind?
On the other hand, when someone in your family or friend group constantly “explodes” with anger…no matter how hard everyone around them is trying to work together & do the right thing…it makes it almost impossible to be successful !!
Have you ever been around someone who loses their cool & explodes with anger at the littlest thing? (Don’t say their name!!! Just raise your hand if you know someone like that!)
Do you enjoy being around people like that??? (No! I don’t either!!)
The Bible says that a quick tempered person (someone who is easily angered) displays folly. (In other words…they show everyone how foolish they are!)
Don’t be a quick tempered person!!
Be patient!! …it will make you a much better & more enjoyable person to be around, and most importantly, it’s pleasing to God!!
Turn any storybook or Bible story into a large visual to read to your class by cutting large simple shapes out of poster board, gluing enlarged pictures or clip art illustrations to the front & the story to be read on the back! The kids love it because they are able to see the pictures & teachers love it because it’s easy to read!
A Bible Story on Noah’s Ark could be in the shape of an ark…a Christmas story in the shape of a star, manger or angel…the story of Moses in the shape of a basket…the possibilities are endless!
Make sure you laminate your story so that it can be re-used year after year!
2 Kings 5
Gehazi lies to Elisha
Bible Verse: “Anyone who lives without blame walks safely. But anyone who takes a crooked path will get caught.” Proverbs 10:9
**I came across this great object lesson at the Corner on Character blog. Since we handle the large group activities that introduce the lesson, we are adapting it to a “game” that will teach a lesson. Breaking into smaller groups will allow our kids to have a better vantage point.
See link below for original post:
http://corneroncharacter.blogspot.com/2011/09/water-you-covering-up.html?m=1
Object Lesson/Activity
Items needed:
Instructions:
[Spoiler Alert: Few if any pennies will cover the quarters!]
Application: Tell kids the quarters represent lies. The smaller pennies represent smaller lies one has to tell to cover up their original lie. Often when we tell one lie…we end up having to tell more, smaller lies to try to cover them. It rarely works. (Even if some pennies landed on the quarters…point out that parts of the quarter are still noticeable!) Most of the time our lies are eventually found out. Even if we can fool others…we can never fool God! Honesty is always best policy!
Happy Face Jingle:
“Happy Face, Happy Face what do you see?
I see a silly face looking at me! 🤪
Silly face, silly face what do you see?
I see a sad face looking at me!😢
Sad face, sad face what do you see?
I see a mad face looking at me! 😡
Mad face, mad face what do you see?
I see a surprised face looking at me! 😳
Surprised face, surprised face what do you see?
I see a sleepy face looking at me!😴
Sleepy face, sleepy face what do you see?
I see happy face looking at me! 😊
Happy Face, Happy Face what do you see?
I see another happy face looking back at me!” 😃
~author unknown
Items needed:
Instructions:
Tips & Tricks:
If you have a large group setting (ie Children’s Church, VBS, etc) and tech capabilities, be sure to check out crowdcontrolgames.com!
I just returned from a kidsmin conference in Atlanta, GA. This was my 2nd year to attend the Crowd Control Games breakout session, and they are awesome!!
Their countdown timers and scorekeepers will add so much to our game time! …and their interactive games are FUN!
Check them out for yourself!
I’m a big fan!
1 Samuel 17
David & Goliath Game
Items Needed:
Preparation:
Instructions:
Tips & Tricks:
Need an easy, no prep activity for a time filler or transition?
Play “Hangman” using a Bible Verse or phrase from your lesson!
Utilize a dry erase board or chalkboard to make it large enough for the whole class to participate. Allow the kids to take turns guessing letters.
Disclaimer: If the traditional “hangman” game would be offensive to use at your church…use the same premise, but see if they can guess the verse or phrase before you draw a regular stick figure with a silly face…it doesn’t have to be attached to a traditional hangman drawing to be fun!
Items Needed:
Instructions:
First team to find all their pieces & put their puzzle together wins!
Tips and Tricks:
Items needed:
Instructions:
Playtime with a Purpose 