God's Commandments Crafts for Kids
Teaching children about the Ten Commandments is made easier with hands-on activities and craft projects. Use materials from religious supply stores and arts and crafts shops, or repurpose everyday items from around the house. Have a written copy of the Ten Commandments available to discuss as you introduce and execute craft projects.
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"Commandment" Prescription
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Use old prescription bottles to teach about the Ten Commandments. Lead a discussion with the children about the definition of the word "commandment." Explain how a commandment is like a doctor's prescription -- it is an order given that helps you lead a healthier, better life. Print or write each commandment on a strip of paper and tape them to the outsides of 10 empty prescription bottles. Invite children to write a few words on small, heart-shaped pieces of paper that describe how to love and live each commandment. Place them in the bottles. Children can decorate the bottle caps and they can be displayed for future study.
Scrolls
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Repurpose cardboard tubes to become Ten Commandment scrolls. Glue or staple the end of a piece of construction paper, butcher paper or blank newsprint to an empty paper towel tube. Wrap the paper around the cardboard tube and glue so that none of the cardboard is showing. Children can write the Ten Commandments on the paper "scroll," leaving 3 inches at the bottom. Glue a second empty paper towel tube to the bottom edge of the page, again covering all of the cardboard. Let the glue dry. Children can roll up their Ten Commandment scrolls and tie a ribbon or piece of twine around them to keep them closed.
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Commandment Mobile
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Lead a discussion about the Ten Commandments and post them so that they are visible to the children. Make sure each child understands the meaning of each commandment. Have each child select one commandment (or assign one commandment to each child) and draw a picture of what it looks like to follow that commandment. This drawing will be glued or stapled to the main body of a wire hanger. Each child will write each word of his corresponding commandment on separate pieces of paper. Hang these with varying lengths of yarn or string from the bottom of the hanger. String a bead at the bottom of each string to help it hang straight and prevent it from getting tangled with the others.
Commandment Pockets
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Repurpose old blue jeans to make Commandment Pockets. Make 10 small pouches or pockets by sewing or gluing two pieces of felt together. Or, cut back pockets from old blue jeans. Label each pocket 1 through 10 and hang them on a piece of poster board. Children can help with this project--have children make the felt pockets or decorate the blue jean pockets with fabric pens, glue and sequins. Throughout the week, ask children to jot down ways that they are following each commandment on small pieces of paper and tuck them into the corresponding pockets. These slips of paper can be kept confidential or you can remove them to use in an end-of-the-week discussion.
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References
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