David and Goliath

This is a very quick activity and loads of fun to play with.

What you'll need:
1 toilet roll
1 cling wrap roll cut in half
coloured paper - plain and patterned
card
2 pipe cleaners
glue
scissors
masking tape
string
pen or texta

Instructions: Using skin coloured paper cut two strips about 5cm wide and long enough to wrap around your toilet roll and clingwrap roll (this will be the faces). Use another coloured paper cut into a wider strip to cover the rest of the rolls, this will be their clothes. We used blue for David, then cut another piece the same height but a shorter width to look as though David has a coat on. We used grey for Goliath so it would look like armour. Cut another strip of paper to cover half of Goliath's body and cut a fringe along the bottom and glue on about halfway up the cling wrap roll. Using brown paper cut a beard and hair for Goliath and some hair for David. In order to do this cut your strip of brown paper in the same way (and measurements) as you did for the skin coloured paper and cut out room for a face. For Goliath you can cut a beard out afterwards and glue on over the top. Using a pen or texta add details on the faces.
Using scissors punch holes in either side of both rolls and thread through the pipe cleaners for arms. Use masking tape to secure pipe cleaner on inside of roll. On some card draw a Y shape like this:

then cut out and attach string to make slingshot. Using the same card draw a sword and shield shape like this:

then cut out. We added a G on the shield but you can decorate it however you like.

Secure slingshot to David and sword and shield to Goliath using glue and bending pipe cleaner arms around firmly.

Detail of David and Goliath's faces:

Enjoy!

Jonah and the whale

This craft activity is a lot of fun, even after you've finished making it! Jonah actually fits inside the whale.

What you'll need:
Tea bag box (that opens up and out on a long side)
Grey paper or card (otherwise white will be ok)
Toilet roll
Coloured paper
Pipe cleaner
Scissors
Glue
Grey and pink paint

Instructions:
Whale: Paint the tea bag box grey on the outside (if using white paper or card paint this grey on both sides). When dry, paint the inside of the box pink. The right side up for this craft is with the lid on top so that you can put Jonah inside without turning the whale upside down. Cut two two fins, stick to the sides and bend so that they sit out. Cut a tail shape and stick to back (I found it easier to cut out two shapes and stick them together from the curved end to about halfway. Then on the other end I stuck them to either side of the box at the back). Draw eyes and a blow hole on with a permanent marker.
Jonah: Glue a pink or skin coloured strip on paper around the top of the toilet roll for Jonah's face. Use another, wider and different coloured strip for Jonah's clothes. Make a hole on each side of toilet roll and thread through pipe cleaner. Using a brown strip of paper cut one long side into a fringe and glue to the very top of the toilet roll. Draw on a face.

Moses and the burning bush

Simple colourful craft activity that can be ready in a hurry.

What you'll need:
Template
Red, orange and yellow paint or cellophane
Glue

Instructions:
Print off template. Use cellophane or paint to decorate bush so that it looks as though it is on fire.

Moses and the jelly Nile

This is a very simple and edible way to learn about Moses.

What you'll need:
Blue jelly
Marshmallows
Jelly babies

Instructions:
Put previously set blue jelly into a bowl. Use a fork to stir it so it breaks up a bit. Cut a marshmallow in half and put a jelly baby onto the sticky side. Put the marshmallow into the jelly. Enjoy!

Joseph's collage coat

A bit of advanced preparation makes this activity run much smoother!

What you'll need:
Template
Cardboard
Scissors
Glue
Coloured paper, sequins, wool scraps etc
Masking tape

Instructions:
Print out template. Cut out and stick Joseph and stand onto cardboard for strength. Colour in Joseph. Fold stand in half and cut both black lines and lines of base of Joseph. Join stand to Joseph and use masking tape to strengthen if necessary. Decorate coat with coloured paper, sequins or wool scraps and use masking tape to stick onto Joseph.

Noah's rainbow

This is a simple craft activity that is only limited by your imagination.

What you'll need:
Paper
Pencil
Coloured pencils, crayons, paints, sequins or buttons
Glue
Cotton wool or hobby fill

Instructions:
Draw a rainbow and clouds to cover your paper. Get your kids to decorate using whatever supplies you have on hand. Some great suggestions are: gluing coloured buttons or sequins on in coloured tiers with cotton wool or hobby fill for clouds. Simple pencil or crayon colouring is also effective, especially if you use coloured paper.

Noah's paper plate ark

This activity requires a little bit of patience and a stapler!

What you'll need:
2 paper plates
Stapler
Scissors
Coloured pencils, textas or paints to decorate

Instructions:
Cut your paper plates in half. Staple two halves together around border with the bottom of the plates facing out. This will be the main part of the ark. Cut the remaining halves in half again parallel to cut edge from first step. Join the two topmost curves so that they form an oval shape with a split running up the middle for your ark to sit in (this is the water). Using remaining pieces, shape the top part of the ark by cutting two rectangles and using remaining curves to form a roof. Join all pieces together by securing ark into base and stapling top part to the boat. Decorate.

Apple and snake sponge painting

A thrifty craft activity that takes no time at all to do!

What you'll need:

Clean dishwashing sponges

Permanant marker

Scissors

Paper

Green and red paints

Instructions:

Draw a snake shape and an apple shape onto your dishwashing sponges. Cut out. Then after reading/describing the fall of Adam and Eve help your children to sponge paint the snake and the apple onto their paper. When you finish you can write on the page, something like: 'The snake tricked Eve into eating the apple. She gave some to Adam and God was very cross.' Depending on the age of your children you can make this statement more complex.

Creation collage

This is a simple activity that teaches children about creation.

What you'll need:
Scrapbook (or paper)
Pictures of natural objects
Photo of your child
Scissors
Glue

Instructions:
After reading/describing God's creation of the world encourage your children to make a collage of the things that God created, including a picture of themselves. Somewhere on the collage write: 'God made all of these things...and God made me!'