Project: Bible Character Peg Dolls

Ps. This post includes a few affiliate links. You can learn more about what that means over here.

Did you know that Noah's ark has boosters? Or that Jericho may have been build with magnetic tiles? Or that Jesus' disciples were sleeping in a giant heap on the night Jesus was arrested?

According to my four-year-old, these were all viable possibilities as he played and imagined with our set of Bible character peg dolls we had painted.

I wanted to create something we could use to play and act-out the Bible stories that we are learning. So, I picked up some peg dolls from Michaels (although these ones are actually much cheaper), grabbed some brushes, and picked out some paint (we used acrylic, but you could use tempura too). 

We kept the clothes pretty simple and didn't create any specific characters apart from Jesus. Luke and I painted their "outfits," and I finished off their hair and faces. It was actually a much simpler project than I anticipated. It only took about an hour to finish them up and start playing. However, I quickly realized that painting peg dolls will definitely not be my next side hustle. Ha!

After they had dried and got their faces on, we had fun setting up some Bible scenes. 

We made Noah's ark, the walls of Jericho, Jonah and the big fish, and Jesus teaching to the crowd. It was fun to watch him create, build, and imagine the stories he knew with everyday objects like magnetic tiles, duplos, rocks, plants, and plastic animals. You could also use wooden blocks, play dough, legos, Lincoln logs--so many possibilities! 

So, if you are looking for a simple project that you can use for playing and teaching, try making your own set of Bible character peg dolls.  You can also purchase some pretty adorable sets like this one or this one if making your own isn't your thing :) 

Have a good one!

Nicole

From A to Z: Letter E

Remember the days when snail mail was the only way you could send someone a letter? I still remember getting sweet letters at camp, exchanging letters with my friends during college, and writing lots of love letters to my now-hubby while we were dating long distance. 

As much as we enjoy getting a good, old fashioned letter, you can imagine how much a letter strengthened and encouraged the early church--and they still encourage us!

The Letter E's big idea is Encourage One Other

This lesson is about the letters the early church exchanged, making snail mail cards (and sending them!), "stamping" letters, and encouraging your local postman. 

I don't know about you, but I can always use a little reminder (and perhaps a little push) to take a few extra steps to encourage someone--maybe through a letter, a quick phone call, a text, or face-to-face. 

As you chat about letters and encouragement, here are some other resources you may enjoy (ps. some of these are affiliate links)

• Print + color some coloring cards from the shop--blank + thank you cards
• Check out Mr. Postmouse's Rounds from your local library or bookstore. We took it home in our library haul and it really is so cute (and the illustrations had us laughing and pouring over the page for a long time)
• If you want to set up some dramatic play, this is so adorable! 

Have a good one!

--Nicole

On the Bookshelf: An Easter Pick

As Easter nears, I'm on the hunt for quality stories that help bring the gospel story to life. Recently, I saw someone share the book The Garden, The Curtain, The Cross*, and I ordered it right away. I don't buy too many books (thanks to the library!), but I thought this one would make a lovely addition to our ever-growing library. 

When we got it, I fell in love with the illustrations (because Catalina Echeverri is such a wonderful illustrator!). I also loved the depth, and the fresh perspective, of the story. Even now, it's not often that I think about that huge curtain that loomed in the temple--a very literal separation of God and His people. For kiddos (and adults too!), the symbolism of the curtain tearing is a strong visual for understanding how Jesus' death and resurrection allows us access to God.

I think some of it was a bit over my 4-year-old's head, but the main idea was strong:

Sin separated us from God, BUT Jesus died on the cross and took our sin so that we can be with God again.

And that's really the most important thing, right?

Do you have any favorite books for Easter?

ps. Don't forget to download some free Easter prints + coloring pages to enjoy as we near Easter. 

Have a good one, friends!

--Nicole

*Affiliate links were used in this post. Learn more about that here.

From A to Z: Letter D

Get ready for lots of roaring as you do letter D. It was just a tad loud in our house once my little lions took out their lion masks.

Letter D's big idea is God is our Deliverer. As we work through the letter D, we can talk to our kids about how God watches over us and saves us. Even though this week focuses on the story of Daniel, you can easily chat about how God delivers us from sin through Jesus' death and resurrection as well. 

This lesson includes reading the story of Daniel in the lions' den, making lion masks (which were a big hit in our house), and doing lots of roaring (and also pretending we have quiet mouths like the lions in the den).

Extra resources you may enjoy:

• Play with Daniel in the Lions' den finger puppets (so cute!)
• Watch this super short (and a little quirky but cute!) video about Daniel

Enjoy!

From A to Z: Letter C

This month, my oldest is taking swimming lessons for the first time. And he's already told me he's not going to go. And along with that declaration comes a jutted out chin and very dramatic arm-crossing. 

As a parent, I assure him that I'll be there and that it's okay to be nervous. I know that it's not so much that he doesn't want to go, it's that he's afraid of something new. 

So, I think the letter C is coming at a good time. Because the letter C's big idea is Be Courageous because God is with You. This lesson's verse is Joshua 1:9 (one you've probably heard before...)

“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

— Joshua 1:9 (NLT)

But I think we can easily miss the part about why we can be brave, strong, and courageous. It's not because we just muster up our own strength; it's because God is with us wherever we go. As a momma, this is something I can talk a lot about with my kids as we walk through changes, tough moments, and times when they feel afraid or unsure.

This lesson includes making a paper armor, marching around "Jericho", and reading about Joshua. So, bring out the tin foil!

Other resources you may like (some of these are affiliate links--learn more about that here)

• Melissa + Doug wooden building blocks (for making those walls of Jericho)
• Super cute t-shirt from High Street Littles
• Watch the classic Josh + the Big Wall Veggie tale movie
• Listen to Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho (we may have listened and danced to this a few too many times...)