So last week I'm cleaning out my supply closet and I find like fifteen foam crosses from some craft we did months ago. Just sitting there in a box collecting dust.
Made me think about how many crafts I've done over the years that kids took home and probably threw away within like two days. Or maybe made it to the fridge for a week before disappearing into the trash.
Such a waste. All that time and money and effort for something that doesn't really stick around long enough to remind kids of anything we talked about.
Started thinking about crafts that actually serve a purpose beyond just keeping kids busy for twenty minutes. Stuff they'll actually use or see regularly that reminds them of what they learned.
Game changer honestly. Instead of just doing random cute crafts now I'm way more intentional about making things that actually reinforce the lesson somehow.
Bookmarks They'll Actually Use
This one's so simple but works incredibly well. Kids use bookmarks all the time if they're readers. Even if they're not they like having them.
Did lesson about God's promises few weeks ago. Had kids make bookmarks with their favorite promise from the lesson written on them. "I will never leave you." "I have plans for you." "Nothing can separate you from my love."
Let them decorate however they wanted. Some went totally overboard with stickers and glitter. Others kept it simple. Didn't matter.
Point is every time they open a book they see that promise. Week later had kid tell me she was reading before bed and saw her bookmark and remembered what we talked about.
That's exactly what you want happening.
Prayer Rocks
Sounds weird but kids absolutely love this idea. Find smooth rocks from outside or buy bag of river rocks from craft store.
Have kids paint them with words or symbols that remind them to pray. Could be names of people they want to pray for. Could be simple cross or heart. Could be word like "hope" or "peace."
They put rock on nightstand or desk or wherever they'll see it regularly. Every time they notice it they're supposed to say quick prayer.
Had parent tell me her daughter carries her prayer rock in backpack and pulls it out when she's nervous at school. Uses it to remember God is with her.
Way better than foam cross collecting dust somewhere.
Kindness Chains
Teaching about being kind to others? Have kids make paper chains where each link represents act of kindness they want to do.
Write different kind acts on each paper strip before linking them together. "Help mom with dishes." "Say something nice to someone." "Share my snack." Stuff like that.
They take chain home and remove one link each time they do that act of kindness. Goal is to remove all links by end of week.
Gets them actually practicing what you taught instead of just hearing about it. And they have visual reminder of what they're supposed to be doing.
Memory Verse Bracelets
Take whatever verse you're working on and make bracelet where each bead represents word or phrase from verse.
Could use different colored beads for different words. Could use letter beads to spell out key words. Could use symbol beads that represent concepts.
Every time they look at their wrist they see reminder of verse. And if someone asks about bracelet they get chance to share what they learned.
Had kid wear his "love one another" bracelet to school and end up explaining it to his teacher. She was so impressed she asked me about our kids ministry.
Refrigerator Reminder Magnets
Parents check refrigerator constantly. Perfect place for craft that reminds whole family of lesson.
Make simple magnets with key point from lesson. Could be verse. Could be main idea. Could be challenge for the week.
Use foam shapes or wooden cutouts. Let kids decorate and add magnet to back. Parents love getting reminder of what their kids are learning.
Had mom tell me she looks at magnet every morning while getting coffee and it reminds her to practice patience with her kids that day.
Lunch Box Notes
Have kids make cards with encouraging verses or reminders that they can put in their lunch boxes or backpacks.
"God loves you." "You are special." "Be brave." Simple messages that remind them of lesson when they're at school.
Some kids make extras to give to friends. Some keep them for days when they're having hard time. Some trade them with siblings.
Point is they have physical reminder of God's love when they're away from church and family.
Window Clings for Car Rides
Make simple window clings using contact paper and tissue paper or foam shapes. Kids can stick them on car windows.
Every time family goes somewhere they see reminder of lesson. And other people in traffic might see them too which kids think is pretty cool.
Made ones that said "God is good" after lesson about thanksgiving. Kids were excited to show off their car decorations and tell people what they learned.
Doorknob Hangers
Kids see their bedroom doors every single day. Perfect spot for craft that reminds them of lesson.
Make doorknob hangers with main point from lesson. "Pray before bed." "God is always with you." "Tell the truth." Whatever fits what you taught.
Let them decorate and personalize however they want. Some go crazy with decorations. Others keep it simple. Both work fine.
Every time they go in or out of room they get little reminder of what they're supposed to be practicing.
Plastic Cup Reminders
Take regular plastic cups and have kids decorate them with lesson themes. They use them for water or juice at home.
Every time they take drink they see reminder. Could be verse about living water. Could be reminder about sharing. Could be anything that connects to lesson.
Parents love this because it's actually useful instead of just decoration. And kids use cups way more often than they look at random craft projects.
What Doesn't Work as Well
Crafts that are just cute but don't actually connect to lesson in meaningful way. Waste of time and materials.
Things that are too fragile to actually use or display. If it breaks immediately it's not gonna remind them of anything.
Overly complicated crafts that take so long you don't have time to actually connect them to lesson. Process becomes more important than purpose.
Crafts that only work if parents remember to display them or use them. Kids need to be able to control whether they see reminder or not.
Why Reminder Crafts Work Better
Kids learn through repetition and visual cues. Seeing lesson reminder regularly helps cement what they learned.
When craft serves actual purpose kids value it more than just decoration. They keep it longer and pay more attention to it.
Physical objects trigger memories way better than just trying to remember abstract concepts.
Gives kids something concrete to share with family and friends about what they're learning at church.
Making It Age Appropriate
Little kids need simple crafts with basic messages. "God loves me" or "Jesus cares" with lots of pictures and colors.
Elementary kids can handle more complex ideas and crafts that require more steps. They like being able to read and understand messages themselves.
Middle schoolers want crafts that don't look totally babyish but still serve as reminders. Let them make their own designs and choose their own colors.
Same basic concept works for all ages if you adjust complexity and appearance.
Connecting Craft to Lesson
Don't just tack craft onto end of lesson as afterthought. Build it into lesson as way to practice or remember what you're teaching.
While they're making craft talk about lesson. Ask questions. Let them share how they plan to use their reminder.
Explain connection between craft and lesson clearly. "Every time you see this bookmark you'll remember that God keeps his promises."
Make sure they understand purpose isn't just to make something pretty but to help them remember important truth.
Getting Parents Involved
Send note home explaining craft and how it connects to lesson. Parents can reinforce message when they see kid using reminder.
Suggest ways parents can use craft as conversation starter. "I see you're using your prayer rock. Who are you praying for today?"
Encourage parents to ask about craft and lesson instead of just saying "that's nice" when kid shows them.
When parents understand purpose they're way more likely to help craft serve its reminder function.
Budget Friendly Options
Most reminder crafts can be made with cheap materials. Dollar store has tons of useful stuff.
Rocks from outside are free. Paper and markers work for lots of projects. Reuse containers and materials when possible.
Focus on function over fancy appearance. Simple reminder that gets used is way better than expensive decoration that gets ignored.
Ask parents to donate materials if budget is really tight. Most families have stuff at home they can contribute.
My Current Go-To Favorites
Bookmarks because kids actually use them and see them regularly when reading.
Memory verse bracelets because they wear them and get to share with other people what they mean.
Prayer rocks because they're so simple but kids really connect with idea of having physical reminder to pray.
Doorknob hangers because bedroom doors are perfect spot for daily reminders.
But honestly whatever fits your specific lesson and your kids' interests. Point is making something they'll actually see and use instead of just store in box somewhere.
The Real Goal
Want kids walking away with more than just memory of fun craft time. Want them having regular reminders of God's truth throughout their week.
When eight-year-old pulls out her prayer rock during hard day at school and remembers God loves her - that's when craft served its real purpose.
When kid sees his bookmark every night and remembers God's promises before going to sleep - that's what we're aiming for.
Crafts that actually reinforce lesson instead of just keeping kids busy. Way better use of time and materials and way more impact on kids' lives.
Plus parents love getting stuff their kids will actually use instead of more decorations cluttering up house. Win-win for everyone.
