CRAFTS FOR GRADE 3
LESSON 9
Based on the themes PEACE, LOVE, UNITY
BANNER
Use a template to cut out the dove and the heart images can be decorated as you like. The add streamers.
PAPERCLIP ANGEL
BASED ON THE STORY OF MARY
Easy-to-follow directions in the video
- Good Samaritan
- Good Samaritan 2
- Perler beads
- I SPY craft
- Crown of Thorns
The following website has a free printable PDF for the story
This craft reinforces the message of the Good Samaritan by encouraging children to think about what it means to love and help others, regardless of differences.The “helping hands” are a tangible representation of the care and compassion that Jesus taught in the parable.The craft also provides an opportunity to discuss how we can apply the lessons of the Good Samaritan in our daily lives.
“Love Your Neighbor” Helping Hands Craft
Materials Needed:
Construction paper in various colors (especially red, white, and brown)
Scissors
Glue or tape
Markers or crayons
A large piece of poster board or cardboard (for the background)
Band-aids (optional)
Cotton balls or tissue (optional)
Ribbon or string (optional, for hanging)
Instructions:
If desired, attach a ribbon or string to the top corners of the poster board for hanging.
Create the Helping Hands:
Trace and cut out hand shapes from the construction paper. These will represent the hands of different people helping each other, symbolizing the Samaritan’s kindness.
You can create several pairs of hands in different colors to represent diversity.
Assemble the Scene:
On the poster board or cardboard, draw or create a simple road scene. You can draw the road winding through a desert or a hillside, mimicking the path from Jerusalem to Jericho.
Place the hand cutouts along the road to represent the helping hands of the Good Samaritan.
Add the Injured Man:
Cut out a simple figure to represent the injured man. You can use brown construction paper for the figure and add details with markers.
Use band-aids or cotton balls to show the man’s injuries, and place him on the side of the road.
Show the Samaritan’s Care:
Attach one of the hand cutouts to the injured man, showing the Samaritan reaching out to help him.
You can glue a small heart cutout to this hand to symbolize love and compassion.
Include the Parable’s Message:
On a piece of paper, write a summary of the parable or a key quote like, “Love your neighbor as yourself” or “Go and do the same.”
Attach this message to the top or bottom of the poster board.
Optional Details:
Add more decorations to the scene, such as a sun in the sky, trees along the road, or the inn where the Samaritan took the injured man.
If you want to make the craft more interactive, you can create small flaps for the hands that open to reveal messages of kindness and love written inside.
Display the Craft:
Based on Story 2: Dove
Dove fused/ Perler bead pattern. If you get a dove pattern and pearler beads this is an easy craft!
Theme SEARCH Can be used for other themes like peace: Make an I SPY bottle based on a PEACE theme
Items needed for an I SPY craft
- Funnel
- Container:- Can be a bottle with a lid or a plastic Ziplock bag
- Filler – Sand and uncooked rice works well
- Items (try to relate them used in search) – paperclip, safety pin, rubberband, red beans, beads, dice, small wooden clothespins, thumbtack, googly eye, penny, eraser, marble, seashell, small toy, toothpick.
- tag- list of all items put in the bottle will go on the tag
- String for tag
Hot Glue (OPTIONAL)
- Container:- Can be a bottle with a lid or a plastic Ziplock bag
- Filler – Sand and uncooked rice works well
- Items (try to relate them used in search) – paperclip, safety pin, rubberband, red beans, beads, dice, small wooden clothespins, thumbtack, googly eye, penny, eraser, marble, seashell, small toy, toothpick.
- tag- list of all items put in the bottle will go on the tag
- String for tag
- Hot Glue (OPTIONAL)
- Funnel
To make:
- Add all items to the bottle or bag. As the child is putting the item, say how this relates to the search process.
- Use the funnel to fill the bottle with sand
- Use hot glue on the bottle cap to seal shut. (optional)
- Add the tag with the item list to the bottle.
- Challenge each other to find an item.
Here are some of the items I included:
- Dove – Symbolizes peace and the Holy Spirit.
- Olive Branch – Traditionally represents peace and reconciliation.
- Peace Lily – A flower associated with peace and purity.
- Cross with a Peace Symbol – A simple cross combined with a peace sign.
- Rainbow – Represents God’s promise and peace after the storm.
- Shepherd’s Staff – Symbolizing guidance and protection, often linked to Psalm 23.
- Heart with the Word ‘Peace’ – Represents love and peace.
- Candles – Represent light, hope, and peace.
- miniature Bible Opened to ‘Blessed are the Peacemakers’ (Matthew 5:9) – Emphasizes the blessing of those who promote peace.
- Peace Sign – A universal symbol for peace.
This craft can be a meaningful way to reflect on the story and its themes of sacrifice, forgiveness, and the spreading of peace.
Crown of Thorns & Olive Branch Wreath Craft
Materials Needed:
- Brown pipe cleaners or flexible twigs (for the crown of thorns)
- Green construction paper or felt (for olive leaves)
- Scissors
- Glue or tape
- A small round cardboard or foam base
- Gold or yellow ribbon (optional, for hanging)
- Markers or pens (to write a message of peace)
Instructions:
- Create the Crown of Thorns:
- Take the brown pipe cleaners or flexible twigs and twist them together to form a small circle, resembling a crown of thorns.
- If using pipe cleaners, twist some into sharp points to mimic the thorns.
- Make the Olive Leaves:
- Cut out small olive leaf shapes from the green construction paper or felt.
- You can make a few extra leaves to symbolize the olive branch of peace.
- Assemble the Wreath:
- Attach the crown of thorns to the small round cardboard or foam base with glue or tape.
- Arrange the olive leaves around the crown of thorns, symbolizing peace surrounding suffering.
- If you’d like, add a gold or yellow ribbon loop at the top for hanging.
- Add a Message:
- On a piece of paper, write a message of peace inspired by the story, such as “Peace and Forgiveness,” “The Spirit of Love,” or a verse like “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”
- Attach the message to the wreath, either hanging from the bottom or placed in the center.
- Optional:
- Add a few small decorative elements, like white flowers (symbolizing purity) or small doves (symbolizing peace).
Significance:
The wreath symbolizes the enduring nature of His teachings and the spreading of His message of love and peace by His apostles.
The crown of thorns represents the suffering Jesus endured, while the olive leaves signify the peace and forgiveness He embodied.