Kids’ Bible Craft: Jesus Calms the Storm

In this craft, kids will learn about when Jesus calms the storm as they make bottles that can be shaken into a storm and then calmed.

Scripture: Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25

You’ll need:

• 1/2 full water bottles (1 per child)
• kitchen sponges
• duct tape (various colors/patterns)
• toothpicks
• colored craft sand
• funnels
• scissors

Easy Prep

• Cut kitchen sponges into eighths, or small enough that you can squeeze the pieces through the opening of your bottles.
• Make a sample craft to show kids.

Jesus Calms the Storm

Make a Boat

Say: In today’s Bible story, Jesus was in a boat. Let’s make boats.

Give each child a piece of sponge, and set out duct tape. Have kids completely encase their sponges in duct tape. Let kids take time arranging the duct tape to make fun patterns using the different colors.

Then have each child fold a small piece of duct tape over the top of a toothpick to make a sail. Kids can stick the bottom of their toothpicks into their sponges. Have kids wrap duct tape around the base of their toothpicks to secure the sail into the boat.

Make a Storm Bottle

Say: When Jesus and his disciples were in their boat, a storm broke out! Let’s make a storm.

Have kids use funnels to pour a little bit of sand into their bottles. Kids should add enough sand so that it settles into about a half-inch layer.

Next, kids will squeeze their boats through the openings of the bottles.

Have kids put the lids securely on their bottles, shake them, and then watch the sand settle back down. The boats will stay on top of the water.

Use the Craft

Have kids form pairs.

Say: Tell your partner about your least favorite kind of storm. Give your own example, and then allow time for discussion.

Have kids shake up their bottles. As the sand settles back down, pray: Jesus, thank you that you have power over storms.

Say: Now tell your partner about a time in your life that felt like a storm. Maybe someone you loved was really sick or your best friend moved away. Give your own example, and then allow time for discussion.

Have kids shake up their bottles. As the sand settles back down, pray: Jesus, thank you that you have power over storms in our lives.

Say: Now tell your partner something that makes you feel nervous or worried. Give your own example, and then allow time for discussion.

Say: The disciples felt worried when the were in the storm. But Jesus was more powerful than the thing that worried them.

Have kids shake up their bottles. As the sand settles back down, pray: Jesus, thank you that you have power over the storms that threaten us. Amen.

Say: Take your bottle home as a reminder that Jesus has power to calm storms. When you face storms in your life, shake it up and watch it calm down as you pray that Jesus will help you be calm and have faith in his power.

This craft was taken from Makerific WOWS!: 54 Surprising Bible Crafts (ages 8-12). Looking for more kid’s crafts? Check out these ideas!