Elementary Bible Game and Craft: Jonah and the Big Fish

Use this fish-toss Bible game and craft to show your little ones that God took care of Jonah, and that God cares for us, too!

God told Jonah to go to Nineveh. But he ran away from God on a boat. When the sea grew rough, Jonah told the other sailors to toss him into the ocean and the sea would be calm again. God took care of him by providing a big fish to swallow him. He was in the fish for three days and nights. God made the fish spit Jonah onto dry land.

“The Lord provided a great fish to swallow Jonah” (Jonah 1:17).

For each child, you will need the following:

• a clean, empty milk jug
• 5-foot piece of string
• large bead
• glue stick
• construction paper fishtail
• crayons

Elementary Bible Game and Craft: Jonah and the Big Fish

Before children arrive, cut mouthlike holes in the large end of the milk jug and use a hole punch to punch a hole near the bottom edge of each mouth. Have children glue the fishtail to the small end of the milk jug.

Help each child thread one end of the string through the hole in the fish’s mouth and tie it in a knot. Help each child thread the other end of the string through the hole in the bead and tie it in a knot. Children may use crayons to decorate their fish and beads if they wish.

After children have completed their fish-toss game craft, have them play the game by trying to catch the bead with the fish. They can act out the story, pretending the bead is Jonah. Then ask:

• How do you think Jonah felt in the belly of the big fish?
• Think of a time when God took care of you, and tell it to a friend.
• How does God take care of you?

Looking for more Jonah ideas? Check out these posts!