How to Make Nativity Scenes for Children

Teach kids about the Nativity with a Christmas craft.

More than 780 years ago, St. Francis of Assisi created the first live nativity scene to celebrate Christmas, according to the Catholic Education Research Center. The nativity scene remains a beloved Christmas tradition for kids and adults. Although the scene itself can take many forms, the depiction of Christ's birth remains the same. However, nativity sets made from porcelain, glass or other fragile material can mean that they are hands-off for kids. Making a nativity scene that is kid-friendly can be a lasting keepsake and a new holiday tradition.

Things You'll Need

• Printer
• Internet access
• Paper
• Crayons or color markers
• Scissors
• Card stock
• 4 popsicle sticks
• Glue
• Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus templates
• Angel, animals, shepherds, star, Magi templates (optional)

Instructions

1. Print templates of Mary, Jesus and Joseph. These templates, as well as others for angels, shepherd, animals and the Magi, can be found online. One such website is DLTK's "Growing Together" (see Resources).

2. Have children color the templates. Cut the characters out and set them aside.

3. Take two popsicle sticks and form a triangle without a base near the top center of the card stock. This will be the roof of the manger. Glue these sticks to the page. Take the remaining two sticks and glue each vertically under the ends of the "roof" to form the walls. This will form the manger outline.

4. Glue the colored templates underneath the manger.

Tips & Warnings

• This craft works for kids aged 3 to 6. Younger children will need significantly more supervision and help than school-aged kids.

• Print out other Christmas characters, such as angels, animals, a star, shepherds and the Magi, on card stock, color and arrange them around the manger.

• Reading the Bible account of the birth of Christ before the craft can enhance the experience for older preschoolers. Child-friendly accounts are available on line. One place is the First-School website (see Resources). The website also recommends playing holiday music during the project.

References

• Catholic Education Resource Center

Resources

• DLTK's Growing Together: Christmas Nativity Scene
• First School: Preschool Activities and Crafts