10 Fall-Themed Crafts to Teach Kids Biblical Lessons

1. Carving Pumpkins: Transformation

Lesson: When we carve a pumpkin, we transform it into something different. God does the same thing to our hearts when we accept him as our savior.

Activity: While carving a pumpkin, talk about how God transforms us from the inside out, just like we do with the pumpkin by cleaning out the seeds and the pulp and creating a picture or face by carving it.

When we accept Jesus, the more we get to know him, the more we act like him. This doesn't mean we are perfect or don't make mistakes. We do. We are only human, after all. However, the more we read the Bible, the more we learn how to live according to God's laws, and the more we change on the inside. Jesus takes all the yucky stuff in our hearts and replaces it with a desire to know and love him.

2. Leaf Art: God's Reliability

Lesson: When the leaves change, we remind ourselves of God's reliability. The leaves change every year without fail. We can rely on seeing this phenomenon every year, just like we can rely on God to be with us throughout our lives.

Activity: Go on a walk with your kids and have them collect some colorful leaves. Then, come home, make a collage, and talk about how, just like the seasons change constantly, God's love and promises to us remain constant and unwavering. Give your kids an example of how God has shown you how reliable he is, and ask them if they have had an experience where they knew they could rely on him. It could be trusting him to help them feel calm before a test or helping them avoid the school bully.

3. Thankful Tree: Gratitude

Lesson: Being thankful for God's blessings. Talk to your kids about how it's easy to focus on the things you don't have. Be honest and let them know you have thought the same things from time to time. We all do it. We're humans, and this is normal. Take a few minutes to talk about specifics. Then, tell them about the catalyst that brought things into perspective and made you realize how thankful you were for everything you have—your job, family, friends, health, pets, etc.

Activity: Print off templates of a tree and leaves. Have your kids write what they are thankful for on each leaf. Then, cut them out and paste them onto the tree. You could even print out the leaf templates on fall-colored construction paper for a more colorful touch.

4. Bountiful Basket: Provision

Lesson: God provides for our needs. Talk to your kids about how God provides for our needs. Tell them about times when God came through for you when you needed something. Then, ask them if they can tell you about a time when God came through for them.

Activity: Go to the craft store and buy some small baskets and artificial fruits, vegetables, and flowers to fill them with. While putting the baskets together, talk about how God provides for us in our time of need. You can also talk about how God provides the harvest this time of year for the farmers who work so hard to grow our food. When you are done, distribute the baskets throughout your house for a beautiful fall decoration.

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5. Scarecrow: Protection

Lesson: God protects us. Talk to your kids about the purpose of scarecrows and how they help keep menace animals out of a person's garden. This way, those menace animals won't eat all the farmer's crops.

Activity: Print off a template of a scarecrow on cardstock. Have the kids color the scarecrow and glue some hay to the sleeves of his shirt and the ankles of his pants. Cut out the template and glue a popsicle stick on the back, then put the scarecrow in your potted outdoor plants so he can do his job.

If you live on a farm, collect all the necessary supplies to make a scarecrow for your fields and let your kids help put it together. While making your scarecrow, talk about how he protects the gardens and fields just like God protects us in our daily lives.

6. Fall Snack Mix: Loving Those Who Are Different

Lesson: Love those who differ from us. We live in a world full of people of all different races and ethnicities. That makes us so great, but sometimes, we can disagree with others. Still, we are to love them no matter what. None of our friends are the same, and that makes life so interesting and fun. Regardless of whether we agree with people or not, we are still supposed to love them.

Activity: Gather all kinds of ingredients to make a fall snack mix with your kids—everything from sweet to salty to sour. While mixing, discuss each ingredient you add and whether you like it or are not a fan. This can open a discussion about loving and accepting others.

7. Pumpkin Craft: We are the Vines, Jesus Is the Branch

Lesson: Talk to your kids about how we are the vines of Jesus, doing his work and showing his light to the world. Teach them John 15:5 to go along with the craft.

Activity: Draw some green vines on a piece of cardstock. Then, dip the tips of your kids' fingertips in orange paint and let them make pumpkins on the ends of the vines. Add a green construction paper leaf to each pumpkin. Write John 15:5, "Yes, I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing." on the cardstock.

8. Candy Apples: Demonstrate the Trinity

Lesson: Teach kids about the father, son, and the holy ghost and how they are all part of the same thing. It can be challenging for kids to comprehend the concept of the father, son, and holy ghost. Candy apples are a great way to envision this because they have three parts.

Activity: Make candy apples and explain how they can represent the trinity. For example, the core would represent God. He is the "core" of our existence because he made everything in the heavens and the earth. The fleshy part we eat would represent Jesus, the son of God. Last, we have the skin which would represent the holy spirit in that it's part of the apple, but we don't see it. As in, it's not our focus. Most of us want to get to that juicy, delicious apple on the inside. The candy coating on the outside reminds us of how sweet the word of God is and that we should "eat" some of it every day. As in, read our Bible and pray.

9. Bible Verse Scavenger Hunt: Memorizing God's Word

Lesson: Learn how to memorize God's Word. As we all know, having God's Word in our hearts and minds is important. This is a great way for your kids to memorize their favorite verses so they can have an answer if someone asks about their faith.

Activity: Come up with a scavenger hunt where kids find fall-related items and match them to Bible verses related to God's creation and his blessings. Add some of your kid's favorite Bible verses in the mix as well. Even if they don't relate specifically to fall, it will help your child memorize the verses closest to their heart.

10. God Is Good Wreath: Good Things of God

Lesson: To remind your kids of all the good things about God.

Activity: Make a wreath that displays all the pleasant aspects of God, like his love, provision, protection, grace, etc. You can write these aspects on construction paper leaves and add them to the wreath. If you have a laminator, laminate them before adding them to your wreath if it will hang outside. You could also add your favorite Bible verses about how fantastic God is. Hang it on a hook outside of your door. You never know; this could start a conversation between you and a friend or neighbor and lead them to Christ. Do some research and choose the best weather-resistant materials for your wreath.

With the cooler temperatures, fall is a great time to spend with your kids. Fall is just starting, so pick out a few of these crafts to make with your kids this weekend.