Zacchaeus Climbs the Tree

Zacchaeus

Luke 19:1-10

Zacchaeus gets to climb this tree (with the help of a few strings).  Watch the video to see the full effect. (It may take a few seconds to load.)

Instructions:

1. Print and cut out the Zacchaeus in color or in black and white. Click on the top photo for a printable Zacchaeus.
2. Cut two pieces of a straw about 2 inches long.
3. Tape the straw to the back of Zacchaeus at a slant.  Make sure the widest part of the slant is at the bottom. See picture below.

1. Cut two pieces of string around 22 inches long.
2. Slide one piece of string through one straw.
3. Tie a bead on the end of the string so it won't go back through the straw.
4. Repeat those steps for the other string.
5. Tie the other end of the strings to a popsicle type stick that has grooves in it so it won't slide on the stick.  (See picture below.  I found these at Hobby Lobby.)

1. Cut another piece of string about 12 inches long. 
2. Tie it on a large loop around the center of the stick.  Since there is no groove to hold it in place, tape it in place.
3. This string can be hung on a doorknob and Zacchaeus can climb there (without the tree).  This is what I do when I allow the children to make one of these to take home.  They don't make a tree.
4. To make Zacchaeus climb, pull on each string alternately like in the video.  
5. To let Zacchaeus come back down to see Jesus, just let the natural weight of Zacchaeus slide down the string by letting the string go.

The Zacchaeus pattern was made with clip art from the book Bible Story Clip and Copy Patterns by Corbin Hillam.  This is one of my favorite books to use as patterns for many, many things!  This precious book is no longer in print, so Mr. Hillam has graciously allowed me to give you the pattern for free.  He is producing a CD with the art from this book.  The drawings are fantastic!  If you would like to purchase a CD for $15, you can contact him at corbinhillam@yahoo.com.  It is well worth the money!  Other items by him can be seen at www.corbinhillamdesign.weebly.com.

Balaam's Talking Donkey Craft

Balaam's Talking Donkey Craft

Numbers 22:21-39

The exciting part of this donkey is that his mouth can actually move (with a little assistance)!  In the Bible story, Balaam's donkey talks to Balaam. When that part of the story is told, the teacher (or child) can open and close the clothespin to make the donkey pretend to talk to Balaam.

For the donkey in the picture, I used a Cricut machine.  I used Noah's ABC Animals cartridge and put the setting on 9 inches.  For people who do not have a Cricut or this cartridge, I have designed and included a pattern. Click on the words "donkey pattern" in the instructions section. 

I always want the children to make something to retell the story at home. Fo them, I shrink the pattern and print it onto card stock. They can choose to color it however they prefer.  They will follow the instructions below. Smaller clothespins (often found at Dollar Tree) will be necessary for making their smaller donkeys talk. 

Instructions:

• Print out the donkey pattern (by clicking on the top photo) onto plain or colored card stock.
• Color it if desired.
• Cut it out.
• In order to make the donkey able to talk, cut on the dotted line where his mouth would be.  
• Tape or glue a clothespin on the back.  Line up the center opening of the clothespin with the mouth. (See pictures above.)
• Open and close the clothespin to make the donkey talk.

Deborah and Barak

Deborah and Barak

Judges 4

This cute idea came from Pat Autrey.  

Deborah is sitting on a paper chair. To make her sit, just fold at the waist and where the dress meets the legs.  I use a plastic palm tree for her to sit under. (I also found a fun foam palm tree at Michael's).  For her clothes (as well as Barak's clothes), I used a tissue art technique. See video below.

To make Barak stand, I folded on the fold line just below his garment (where the legs connect to the garment) and glued a clothespin on the back.

Patterns

The following video teaches how to make items using tissue art.