Quick Kids Labor Day Lesson About Working and Resting

Use this short elementary Sunday school lesson about Labor Day to help kids discover the importance of work and rest.

Quick Kids Labor Day Lesson About Working and Resting

1. Work Zone

Decorate your classroom door with a yellow, diamond-shaped sign that says “Work Zone.” Hand each child a paint brush. Have buckets of water ready and say: I have a huge job for you. We’re going to “paint” the walls outside the church. We have five minutes to get as much done as we can. Let’s go!

Have kids paint the walls with water for five minutes, then gather inside.

2. A Day of Rest

Have kids pick a spot to sit down and rest. Congratulate them on their hard work. Tell them that God thinks work is a good thing.

Have children act out the jobs they do at home, such as setting the table or feeding a pet. Have others guess what the jobs are.

Tell children that God thinks rest is important, too. Read aloud Genesis 2:2-3. Ask children how they and their families rest.

Say: God wants us to rest so we stay healthy. The Sabbath is the day God set aside for us to rest and learn more about him. We also celebrate a holiday this week called Labor Day. It’s a day when workers get to rest. When we take time to rest, we have energy to enjoy all the things God has given us.

3. Bouncy Babies

Give each child a ping-pong ball, two wiggly eyes, and a small box such as a bank check box. Provide glue, yarn bits, markers, and other craft supplies.

Have children make their ping-pong balls into “bouncy” babies. Let them decorate their boxes as beds for the babies. As they work, discuss the fact that it’s hard work being a parent. Ask them about the jobs their parents do at home or work. Leave artwork to dry during snack time.

4. Snack

You’ll need:

• frozen bread dough (thawed)
• honey
• butter

Have each child take a handful of dough, form a strip, and twist it. Tell kids that challah is the traditional bread for the Jewish Sabbath. This twisted bread is similar to challah. After the work of baking is over, rest together and talk about any traditional meals or food kids have on the Sabbath.

5. All Tucked In

Have children gather their bouncy babies and beds and sit in a circle. Remind kids once again that God invites us to rest and that it’s important to rest from our work. Tuck the bouncy babies in their beds and sing a lullaby to help the babies rest. Thank God for giving us the gifts of work and rest.