One of the Best Children's Bible Activities: Foot-Bird!

This is a seemingly silly activity with big heart! Children are always very invested and it's a unique way to minister to them, too!

This is a simple craft I found on Pinterest one day. I can't even remember what I was searching for at the time. I decided it was the perfect Bible activity to do when we taught the children about Matthew 6:25-35. It was a huge hit. Even though it's kind of silly, I've used it to teach the foundational truth "God Cares for You" many times since at home and church! It's even included in a lesson in our Treehouse Subscription Curriuclum.

Children like that they get to make a mess. have their foot painted and step on paper. It's fun to "make a mess." Adults like that it's very little set up (less than five minutes to print the sheets).

Family Bible Activity with Spiritual Depth for Mom or Dad

One the suprising things about this lesson is the ministry that we get to show to our children when we wash their feet after using the ink. I wasn't expecting it to feel so spiritual!

It reminded me of a time at a women's conference. We were supposed to ask Jesus how we could wash His feet during worship, like Mary with her tears and purfume. When I prayed, Jesus reminded me of times that past week when I washed my children's feet: After muddy adventures outside, when we take their shoes off, in the bath... He says to me, "If you've done it to them, you've done it for me." It hugly impacted me. In this season of not enough time to do everything and certainly doing less outside of the home for the kingdom, it was so meaningful and powerful to remember that washing the feet of my child is like washing the feet of Jesus!

One of my favorite things to do is find ways to minister to my children through fun and school and this definitely hit the mark!

Here is the basic set up so that you can do this, too:

Step #1 - Prep Sunday school or at home devotion supplies

The supplies are pretty easy and innexpensive. I found that the googly eyes and feathers were cheaper at Walmart but better quality on Amazon. I didn't dare go to Hobby Lobby least I come home Christmas decorations early!

Note: If you want to go very DIY, you can go on a nature hunt and look for feathers. As you walk, talk about the birds and flowers and how God made and cares for each one.

• God Cares Print Out (link at end)

• Markers

• Soft feathers, like these: Amazon

• Ink pad (if you don't have ink, you can use paint, but ink gives a better print and there is no dry time)

• Glue stick or glue

• Wetwipes or a wet rag

• Bible

• Coloring Page (link at end)

Step #2 - Prepare the children hearts & minds

Set the supplies in a place where the children can see them but can't touch. When they ask, tell them it's a super special activity for later (with a big smile)! Something about the expectation creates such good attuides and openness when it's time to do Bible time.

Read ahead, and prepare your heart. The passage is from Matthew 6:25-34. I like to read the whole chapter early to remind myself about the context. As you read and pray, ask God what part of this passage your own children need from Him today:

"Look at the birds in the sky. They do not plant seeds. They do not gather grain. They do not put grain into a building to keep. Yet your Father in heaven feeds them! Are you not more important than the birds?" Matthew 6:26 (NLV)

It doesn't have to be long. Even five minutes while you drink your coffee can fill you up to overflow onto your kids.

Levi was really excited about the pets on the coloring page!

Step #3 - Coloring Page and children's Bible Lesson - (pre-activity!)

Use the coloring page provided in the link below or your own. Invite your kids to color as you read the passage. Ask them questions about birds and flowers. Ask them questions about what they worry about or what they think they need. See if they can think of how God provides for them.

There is a full lesson with a script on this passage in our Treehouse Curriuclum! In this lesson, we call to mind the way we care for a loved pet and ask for the positive emotions we feel caring for it. God cares for us even more!

If you're interested in the full lesson, email us for more information.

Step #4 - Footprint!

Now, the moment the children have been waiting for! The creation of the foot-bird! Creating

a beauitful bird is a reminder that God feeds and clothes the birds, and how much more so will He care for your children! Here are the steps:

1. Place your child on a low chair or stool.

2. Clean any stinky feet!

3. Tap the ink pad on the foot A LOT.

4. Let the child stomp on the paper hard, but only once. I told my kids to pretend they were going to smash something on the ground!

5. Use wet wipes to clean their feet.

6. Pray for them as you clean them.

Step #5 - Create a foot-bird!

Give the children the glue, googly eyes, markers and feathers. Let them be as creative as they want creating their birds. There really isn't a right or wrong way to do it, and as long as they are enjoying it, it's fine!

We used glue sticks and they worked great!

Ask the children after what they tought of the activity and what they remember. Display them at least for a week somewhere where they will see them and the truth will return to them that "God cares for me!"

Links and more!

As I've mentioned several times, this lesson is part of our subscription curriculum, Treehouse Curriculum. However, I've pulled the coloring page and activity sheet for you to download for FREE.

Please download here: God Cares Free Activity.

If you enjoyed this activity, please let me know in the comments below!