How to Build a Noah's Ark for Vacation Bible School
One of the most familiar stories in the Bible is Noah and the Ark; when God sends a great flood to destroy the Earth's inhabitants and Noah saves his family and two of each animal. Building a replica of the ark in a vacation Bible school is a fun activity and a teachable moment that is sure to be a fond memory that the students will recall for many years. Our mini ark weaves Biblical storytelling and snackable fun.
Things You'll Need
- Puffed rice treats
- Licorice bites
- Curved chocolate scoops
- Animal-shaped cookies
- Blue gelatin
- Small disposable bowls
- Baby wipes
Instructions
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Distribute supplies to the children. Each child should have 1 disposable bowl, 1 puffed rice treat, 4 licorice bites, 2 animal-shaped cookies and 1 curved piece of chocolate.
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Use your fingers to mold the puffed rice treat into a boat shape. It should be an oval with high walls and pointed ends. Some kids will have trouble with this, which is OK, as long as the sides are folded up enough to hold items in the middle.
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3
Arrange the four licorice bites into a square in the middle of the ark and place the curved chocolate piece with the edges facing down on top of the square. This is the roof for the ark. Explain how God told Noah in the Bible, "Make a roof for it, leaving below the roof an opening one cubit high all around," (Genesis 6:16).
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Place animal crackers of your choice on your boat, two by two, and tell the children of God's command to Noah to "bring into the ark two of all living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive with you," (Genesis 6:19).
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Put a scoop of blue gelatin into each disposable bowl, and place the ark on top of it. Discuss Genesis 7:16-19: "For forty days the flood kept coming on the earth, and as the waters increased they lifted the ark high above the earth. The waters rose and increased greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the water. They rose greatly on the earth, and all the high mountains under the entire heavens were covered."
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Eat your creations and tell the rest of the story, ending with God's promise to Noah, his family and the creatures of the earth in Genesis 9:14-15: "Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life."
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Tips & Warnings
Dress up as Noah for a truly memorable feast!
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Polka Dot/Getty Images
