Manna just appeared for Aaron and the Israelite’s, the sun came up not only dispelling the night’s blackness but revealing a morning gift. This traditional magic window craft does a similar job of transforming the Israelite’s world with both Manna and Quail. It’s a simple craft to prep and suitable for a whole range of ages.
To make this craft, you will need the 2-page template printout (one page printed on paper, the other on acetate), scissors, some paper glue, and a black pen. I’d also recommend a stapler.
Cut out all four pieces.
Line up the acetate with the coloured background. This is important and worth adult supervision as it’s the basis of the transformation.
While you could glue the two pieces together, I found stapling these yielded the best results.
Once attached, glue on the pull tab.
Slide the blank piece between the coloured background and the acetate.
Turn your craft over and fold the long thin pieces inwards. This will create a ‘stop’ when you slide your craft, preventing it from coming fully apart.
I’d recommend adding a sad mouth to Aaron at this point. Place your finger under the acetate to find the correct position.
Your magic window craft is now complete. As you slide the two pieces apart, Aaron’s frown should literally leave him and manna will appear on the ground and in the basket.
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There was nothing lower than an Israelite who was feeding the pigs, except perhaps one who would contemplate stealing the pigs’ food as they were starving. This moment is a picture of the younger son being utterly humbled. This papercraft looks complex, but it’s straightforward to pull off and gives a great final effect.
To make this craft, you will need the 1-page template printout, scissors, a craft knife, a hole punch, and four split pins (brads) per craft.
Cut all four pieces.
There is an easy cut white border on the pigs. This craft does not require precise cutting as long as the mechanism is not severed.
Make holes in the white circles, a hole punch is ideal for this – if you have younger groups, this can be done in advance.
There are 2 white rectangles that need to be removed to give the craft stability – again, you can do this in advance for younger groups.
Now it is ready to assemble:
Start by attaching the two pig pieces, to the background, using split pins.
Thread the long handled piece through the slits, so the handle is on the front at the right of the craft
Attach the 2 remaining split pins to connect the pigs.
Your craft is complete. Hold one handle in each hand and move the lower handle left and right to make the pigs eat.
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This Prodigal son craft is a classic and simple enough for any age. The scene of the father running to meet his son is a beautiful reminder of God’s love for us.
To make this craft, you will need the 1-page template printout, scissors, a craft knife, and some paper glue. For younger groups, pre-cut the slit along the pathway so you don’t need to have a craft knife in the room.
Cut out the three pieces – there are easy cut lines on the characters!
If you’ve not done so already, create the slit along the pathway.
Curl the Prodigal Son slightly forward (so his fathers arms can reach round him) and stick his feet down to one end of the pathway.
Slide the father piece through the slit.
Move the father along the road to greet his Prodigal Son.
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The story of the parting of the Red Sea is so very visual, it’s difficult to resist the urge to curl paper and dive into creating a scene. This version has the depth that’s needed without the hundred strips of paper, so it shouldn’t flatten too easy on the trip home. Miriam heads up the crowd while Moses stands aloof, on a classic overhanging rock, watching the crowd move. While there is quite a bit of cutting, it’s simple to put together.
To make this craft, you will need the 1-page template printout, scissors, and some paper glue.
This template uses valley and mountain marks on it to help with folding.
Valley folds create a valley with the printed sides touching Mountain folds create a mountain with the printed sides on the outside.
Cut out the pieces – I’d strongly recommend following the dotted lines round the crowd pieces.
Fold the base so you form a gully in the paper
Snip the waves along the middle of the lighter lines.
The waves attach to the main piece like this. Either attach them and then curl or curl once attached.
To curl the waves, rolling with fingers really is enough. Alternatively, wrapping lightly round a pencil or by using a flat edge such as a ruler or scissors will also work.
Prepare the crowd pieces by folding the three supports and gluing each onto the crowd.
Place the crowd pieces along the pathway, gluing into position.
Fold and glue Miriam slightly to one side.
Fold the Moses piece and then gently curl the edge of the rock.
Attach the smallest tab to the corner of your scene.
Place glue on the second tab and glue to the inside of your waves.
If the children have problems with this curl, just fold the piece and stick flush to the waves.
Your scene is now complete.
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The Red Sea parted, the people passed through, then Miriam took her timbrel and led the women in a dance and song of joy. Join in Miriam’s dance and music with this moving paper craft.
To make this craft, you will need the 1-page template printout, scissors, and some paper glue.
To make into a puppet, you will also need some sticky tape and a stick or straw. I’d strongly recommend printing on thicker paper.
Cut out the three pieces. (If you are making a puppet, you will need the extra rectangle too.)
Fold the three lines on Miriam’s chest. These folds will go both ways.
Now cut the arm lines to detach them from the body. Make sure they go through the fold.
Folding Miriam along the existing fold, cut along the straight line on her necklace.
Split the folds, so one bends backwards (the side with the timbrel) and the other forwards. It’s worth taking an extra second to make sure these folds are right before continuing.
Both arms have one fold too. The timbrel arm has a mountain fold and the other a valley fold.
Add glue to the back of the sleeve and stick the timbrel arm in place.
Repeat with the other arm.
You can stop here if not making the puppet Hold the head in one hand and the skirt in the other and push and pull gently to see the hands move and the timbrel tapped as she celebrates crossing the Red Sea.
Fold and glue the guide tab on the back of Miriam slightly to one side so you miss the middle split line.
Insert the skewer, stick, or straw through the guide tab and tape onto Miriam’s head.
Hold the stick in one hand and the skirt in the other. Gently move the skirt up and down.
Perhaps you could sing about the people passing through the Red Sea too?
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A simple split pin Palm Sunday craft won’t phase even the most nervous of teachers, grab a craft knife and prepare the slit in advance for an even smoother craft time. Watch Jesus as he leaves the edge of the village and the crowds greet him, travelling the stem of a palm leaf!
This Palm Sunday magic window craft shows the sudden change in the environment, pace and atmosphere that the triumphal entry into Jerusalem is so well known for. The fixed point for this image is the donkey with Jesus riding, the quiet of the edge of the village turns into the crowded street of palm waving, people praising, coat dropping celebration.
These simple layered pictures of Pharaoh, Moses and Aaron are a quick craft suitable even for very young groups. With the addition of some thick card backing, they can also become good storytelling props for the Exodus story.
To make this craft, you will need the 1-page of the 3-page template printout, scissors, a backing page, and some paper glue.
I’d recommend adding a backing page (as pictured) or mounting on thick card.
Whichever character you have chosen, begin by cutting out the pieces.
Either place onto the backing card and position just lower than the centre, or back onto thick card if you wish to retain the shape. Then begin adding the additional pieces.
For Aaron: Start with the staff, then glue the hand above (Notice the plague icons on it, it was his staff that started the early plagues!)
For Moses, start with the beard and hair – note this is the most difficult piece to cut!
Then complete Moses by adding the staff and arm above.
For Pharaoh, start with the collar and arms.
Then complete Pharaoh by adding the headdress.
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