...Jesus is Alive Tissue Flowers

Easter is a great day for celebrating! This Sunday in our children's ministry we'll be making tissue paper flowers that say "Jesus is Alive!"

This craft was adapted from a Martha Stewart project, and we'll be doing it with 2nd-5th grade. Wrapping the tape may be difficult for kids younger than this, but it could be adapted for them. (The K-1st grade kids will be making clothespin butterflies instead this week.)

Prep for this craft:
Cut out squares of tissue (4"-8")
Print out Jesus is Alive leaves

You'll also need:
Pipe Cleaners
Floral Tape
Scissors

Download the PDF assembly instructions here.

...He So Loved the World Cross Necklaces

This coming Sunday our children's ministry lesson is on the crucifixion. (yes, it's Palm Sunday, but the curriculum we are using split up the crucifixion and resurrection into two lessons...a bit crazy, but there it is) As a reminder of Jesus' great love, our 2nd-5th graders will be making nail cross necklaces.

A quick search online turns up various examples of this, either to buy already made, as kits, or just as ideas. This is a slightly simplified version to save money and to make it a bit easier for kids to assemble.

Prep for this craft:
-Purchase 2" and 2 1/2" masonry nails, one of each size for each child (you may want to wipe them off in advance...they usually have a layer of oil that will come off on skin and clothes)
-Cut pieces of 20 gauge jewelry wire, one for each child
-Cut jute or hemp (about 36") and tie into necklaces, one for each child

Download the PDF assembly instructions here.

..."I Can See" Embossed Stationery

This craft was used to cover a few concepts from our lesson. First, one of the stories we used was Jesus healing the blind man, but we also talked about how Jesus showed He is the Son of God by doing many amazing things. Embossed stationery has a braille effect to it, and can be used to tell others that Jesus is the Son of God.

This idea came from a book of Hello Kitty crafts, which has quickly become a favorite of mine!

Prep for this craft:
-Cut out simple shapes from thin cardboard (cereal boxes work well)
-Cut sheets of letter size paper in half
-Run off copies of an envelope template and instructions

Download the PDF assembly instructions here.

..."How Can I Serve You?" Braided Bracelets

We made these bracelets in our children's ministry last week. The basic idea came from a book of Hello Kitty crafts. They were really simple, and the kids LOVED them.

We used them to illustrate the idea of serving each other, so the kids were asked to trade off holding the bracelet for a friend while braiding. Younger kids (kindergarten/1st grade) had a hard time braiding, so the leaders served them by braiding as needed!)

Prep for this craft:
-Cut fun foam into 1/4" x 7" strips (3 for each bracelet)
-Cut embroidery floss or string into lengths of about 6" (2 for each bracelet)

Download the PDF assembly instructions here.