Use this 20- to 25-minute kids Labor Day Bible lesson to help elementary children at Sunday school discover the importance of work and rest.

Labor Day Lesson Part #1: Work Zone Introduction

You’ll Need:

• “Work Zone” sign
• paintbrushes (1 per child)
• buckets of water

Lead the Activity

Decorate your classroom door with a yellow, diamond-shaped sign that says “Work Zone.” Hand each child a paintbrush. Have buckets of water ready.

Say: I have a huge job for you. We’re going to paint! We have just a few minutes to get as much done as we can. Let’s go!

Have kids use the water and paintbrushes to “paint” water resistant surfaces, such as tabletops or plastic chairs, in your space. Do this for a few minutes, encouraging kids to give their best efforts to their job.

Labor Day Lesson Part #2: Explore What the Bible Says About Rest

You’ll Need:

• Bible (try this kid-friendly version!)

Lead the Activity

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.

Labor Day Lesson Part #3: Make a Sabbath Snack

You’ll Need:

• access to an oven for baking
• baking sheet(s)
• refrigerated and pre-made biscuit dough, such as crescent rolls
• handwipes

Allergy Alert: Some children have severe food allergies. Know your children, and consult with parents about allergies their children may have. Post a sign at your room entrance that details any foods you’ll be serving kids that day.

Make the Snack

Quickly have kids clean their hands.

Have each child take a section of dough, form a strip, and twist it. Then kids can place the dough on a baking sheet. Bake the bread according to instructions on the dough’s packaging.

Move on to Parts #4 and #5 while the bread is baking.

Labor Day Lesson Part #4: Make Bouncy Babies

You’ll Need:

• ping-pong ball (1 per child)
• wiggle eyes (2 per child)
• small boxes  (1 per child)
• glue
• yarn bits
• markers
• miscellaneous craft supplies

Make the Craft

Set out the 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.

Labor Day Lesson Part #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.

Labor Day Lesson Part #6: Eat a Sabbath Snack

You’ll Need:

• honey
• butter (optional)
• handwipes
• napkins

Enjoy the Snack

Quickly have kids clean their hands again.

Bring out the freshly baked bread and show kids the fruit of their labor. Tell kids that challah is the traditional bread for the Jewish Sabbath. The twisted bread they helped make is similar to challah.

Invite each child to take a piece of bread and top it with honey and/or butter, as they like. Now that the work of baking is over, rest together, eat, and talk about any traditional meals or food kids have on the Sabbath. What foods are comforting to them and make them feel restful?

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