My kids hate devotion time. There, I said it. Emma rolls her eyes when I pull out the Bible and Jacob starts asking if he can go to the bathroom every thirty seconds. Last week Emma asked if we could just watch Veggie Tales instead because "at least the tomato is funny."
Ouch.
But I accidentally figured something out. Give them scissors and glue while I'm talking and suddenly they're not plotting their escape. Don't ask me why it works, but it does.
Prayer Chains Because Emma Won't Stop Talking
Emma interrupts everything. And I mean everything. Middle of prayer she's like "what about my math homework what about grandma's doctor what about whether dogs go to heaven."
I was going insane trying to get through bedtime prayers. So one night I just grabbed paper and started writing down every single thing she said. Made it into links. By Sunday our chain was wrapped around her entire room like we were decorating for the world's most anxious Christmas.
But then something weird happened. She stopped interrupting. Started writing her own prayer requests during the day and adding them to the chain. Now we actually pray instead of me trying to remember seventeen random things while she's already moved on to asking about breakfast.
Salt Dough Disasters
Saw this on Pinterest. Looked easy. Was not easy.
First try I eyeballed all the measurements because apparently I'm too good for recipes. Dough came out harder than my driveway. Poor Jacob tried to write "GOD" and nearly broke the pencil.
Second try I actually measured stuff. Much better. Kids roll it flat, scratch words in with a pencil, stick it in the oven. Now I find these little Bible rocks everywhere.
Emma leaves them in my coffee cup, my purse, taped to my bathroom mirror. Yesterday I found one in my shoe that just said "HAPPY" in wobbly letters. Actually made me smile which I guess was the point.
Side note - this makes the biggest flour mess you've ever seen. I'm still finding it places it has no business being.
Captain Jesus Paper Doll
Jacob was scared of everything last year. His room, weird noises, that shadow his dresser makes at night. Bedtime took like two hours because he kept coming up with new things to be afraid of.
So we made this paper guy with all the armor from Ephesians. My person looked like a gingerbread man got hit by a truck, but whatever. Cut out shield, helmet, all that stuff from construction paper and foil.
Jacob named him Captain Jesus which seems wrong somehow but I'm picking my battles. Thing sits on his nightstand and when he's freaking out he'll grab the shield piece and remind himself that "faith protects me."
It's completely ridiculous but he actually sleeps now so I'm calling it a win.
Friendship Bracelets That Mean Stuff
Emma wanted to make friendship bracelets but "more special than regular ones." So we picked colors that meant things. Red for love, blue for peace, yellow for happiness, green for I don't even remember what.
Then she spent approximately forever braiding one tiny bracelet while we talked about when she feels those things. Made one for her friend Mia and explained the whole color system. Now they both wear these beat-up bracelets everywhere and act like they're in some secret society.
Just know this takes forever if you're doing actual braiding. Have a movie ready or you'll lose your mind.
Mustard Seed Jars
This one's pretty foolproof. Small jars, mustard seeds, whatever stickers you have lying around. Kids decorate the jars and dump in seeds while you explain how faith doesn't need to be huge to matter.
My kids shake theirs constantly. When they're feeling small or useless they remember that tiny faith can still move mountains according to Jesus.
Don't buy mustard seeds at the grocery store though. I spent like twelve dollars on what should have cost two. Amazon is way cheaper.
Rainbow Suncatchers After The Storm
We had this crazy thunderstorm and both kids were hiding under blankets asking if the world was ending. So next day we made rainbows with tissue paper and contact paper.
Kids tear up tissue paper in rainbow colors - they love destroying stuff for some reason. Stick it to contact paper, seal it up, hang it in the window. When sun hits it they remember God's promise to Noah.
Jacob's looks more like a psychedelic mess than a rainbow but he points it out to every single person who comes over. "I made that and it means God keeps promises."
Worry Stones for Anxious Kids
Turns out both my kids inherited my anxiety. Lucky them.
We made these smooth stones from air-dry clay while talking about what stresses them out. Friend drama, tests, whether the dog will die someday, you know, light topics.
They can squeeze them during scary times or stick them in pockets. Emma made hers during a terrible week at school and would hold it during math tests to remember to pray instead of just panic.
Jacob's looks like a misshapen potato but hey, it works. Just don't rush the drying or they crack and then you've got sad kids.
What I Learned
Simple supplies are better. I bought fancy foam letters once thinking we'd make amazing Bible verses. They're still in my craft drawer mocking me. Stick with construction paper and glue.
Let them make ugly things. Jacob's stuff looks like art made during an earthquake but he understands what we're talking about. Don't fix it for them.
The talking while making stuff is more important than whatever you end up with. Best conversations about God happen when their hands are busy doing something else.
Quit if it's not working. I've thrown away half-finished projects when someone was melting down. Life's too short.
Put their stuff up somewhere. Kids need to see their work displayed. Makes them feel important.
Honest Truth
This stuff won't magically fix your kids. Mine still fight over everything and ask questions I can't answer. Our house is still chaos.
But something happens when they make things while learning about God. Lessons stick better than just sitting there trying to explain complicated concepts to people who still think "infinity" means really really big.
Plus it's actually fun. Faith should include joy and mess and creativity, not just serious talks that go over their heads anyway.
When kids connect God with making stuff and laughing together, maybe they'll want to keep exploring faith when they're older. That's what I'm hoping anyway.
So grab whatever random craft supplies you have and just start making things while you talk about God. Yes your house will be messier. Yes you'll find glitter in impossible places. But your kids might actually remember what you taught them.
And do anything with flour outside if you can. Seriously. Learn from my mistakes.
