How to Make a Church Craft

You don't need a craft each week at church.

Sunday school workers often rely on crafts to help fill in time during long church services. Actual crafts that involve a more complicated process of putting things together not only look nicer than coloring pages, but they take up more time during the class and help get young children's minds off their parents. Always relate the craft to the current theme or lessons taught at church; don't just offer a craft for craft's sake. Teach your students how to make the craft by adequately preparing supplies and giving instructions specific to the craft.

Instructions

1. Choose a craft that is age appropriate for your class. For example, preschoolers shouldn't work with small pieces or sharp scissors; upper elementary students likely won't want to color a picture for their craft time.

2. Review the list of supplies needed for the craft and purchase the supplies at least one day before you'll need them to ensure you have enough time to locate the supplies. Account for enough supplies for each regular person in your class, plus a few extra pieces for visitors.

3. Gather supplies together by like-items or separate the elements into a packet for each child. The exact method of preparation will depend upon the type of craft and the amount of detail needed for the craft.

4. Consider any intricate pieces that might be difficult for your students to work with. Depending upon your craft, you may need to cut out some pieces for your preschool or kindergarten students ahead of time.

5. Create an example craft for your students so they know what the finished product will look like.

6. Prepare the area where the children will make the craft. For example, cover the table if you are working with glue or glitter. Prepare an area where crafts can dry or be picked up next week. For example, painted crafts may need to dry overnight or glued crafts may still be wet by the time class is dismissed.

7. Explain the craft to the student, using your premade example. Offer help to students throughout the process, ensuring that they understand the instructions, but don't be too strict with every step in the process.

8. Allow enough time to complete the craft. Unless you specify that the craft will take several weeks, students may be disappointed that they can't take the craft home with them the same day they start it.

Tips & Warnings

• Use washable markers as opposed to traditional markers, whenever possible. Washable markers are easier to clean off children's hands, clothing, desks and walls.

References

• Ministry to Children: Sunday School Crafts

Resources

• DLTK: Bible Activities
• ABC Home Preschool: Children's Preschool Bible Crafts
• Bible Kids Fun Zone: Bible Themes