Jesus Calms the Storm: Experiential Game for Preschoolers

Use this fun, experiential, and meaningful game to reinforce the story of Jesus calming the storm with preschoolers.

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41

You’ll need:

• bedsheet or tablecloth
• foam ball

Jesus Calms the Storm Game

For this game, gather children around a bedsheet or tablecloth. Have everyone hold onto the edge of the sheet, lift it waist high, and pull the sheet taut. Place a foam ball in the middle of the sheet to represent the boat in the Bible story.

Say: Let’s pretend that this ball is the boat that Jesus and his disciples were on during the storm. When we move the sheet gently up and down, we can make waves like the waves in our Bible story. Have children practice gently making waves.

See how the little boat is being tossed up and down by the waves? The disciples must have been scared! But Jesus helps us when we’re afraid, and he calmed that storm right down. Have children stop moving the sheet so the “storm” stops.

Rhyme With the Motions

Teach children this rhyme to say as they use the sheet to create and calm the storm:

Sailing on the sea so slow, (move the sheet gently from side to side)

Then the wind began to blow. (move the sheet very softly up and down)

Soon the waves went up and down. (move the sheet a little more up and down)

The disciples all began to frown. (move the sheet a little more up and down)

But Jesus helps us when we’re afraid. (begin to slow the movement of the sheet)

“Be still” was all he had to say. (slow the movement of the sheet)

The wind and the waves would crash no more, (stop moving the sheet)

And the little boat sailed on to shore. (move the sheet gently from side to side)

Jesus Can Calm Our Storms

Ask:

• When are you afraid?
• How can this story remind you that Jesus helps us when we’re afraid?

Say: Just as Jesus calmed the storm and helped his disciples when they were afraid, Jesus helps us when we’re afraid, too. The next time you’re afraid, think of this story and ask Jesus to help you. He will!

This game comes from The Humongous Book of Preschool Ideas 2. In it you’ll find a fun and experiential way to tell the story of Jesus calming the storm, too! This resource is full of Bible stories for preschoolers that correspond with powerful games, crafts, prayers, snacks, and more!

For even more preschool games, check out these ideas!