NAIL AND STRING ART
You will need: wooden blocks; nails; hammers; string or wool
This craft relates to the nailing of Jesus to the cross and the sounds and actions of that event. Let children experiment with hammering nails into the wood (under supervision!) to think about the sounds and sensations of doing this.
When everyone has had a turn, spend some time, individually or as a group, winding wool or string around and through the nails to make a piece of tangled artwork. Use the time to discuss the feelings and thoughts this part of the story arouses, perhaps linking the tangle of the winding string to the confusion and sadness of Jesus’ followers.
TEAR MARBLING
You will need: plastic containers; water-based paint (eg ready-mix paint); baby oil; spoons; water; strips of paper
Fill the containers with paint, watered down to a milkshake consistency. Make the colour as strong as possible as it is likely to dry a paler shade. Talk about the tears the women of Jerusalem cried for Jesus as he carried his cross through the streets and let the children discuss their own sad times in life. Drip baby oil into the paint and slowly stir with a spoon so that the oil droplets are broken down further and dispersed. Lay strips of paper on top of the paint / water mix and watch as the paper takes on a marbled ‘tear’ effect. Lift the paper strips out and let them dry.
EMBOSSED CROSSES
You will need: a cardboard box or other sturdy cardboard; scissors; string; PVA glue; foil
Cut cross shapes from the cardboard - A5 is good as a guideline. Wind string around the cross and glue down string swirls or knots to decorate the cardboard. Leave some cardboard spaces for the full embossed effect. Next, cut three strips of foil: one for the body of the cross and one for each arm. The strips should be wide enough to fold over the edges of the cross so that the front is completely covered. Wrap the body and arms of the cross in the foil and gently press down so the patterns made by the string can be clearly seen. Don’t press too hard or you’ll break the foil! This craft might be a starting point for a discussion about why people wear crosses and why we use it as a Christian symbol.
BROKEN PIECE PICTURES
You will need: coloured or patterned scrapbook paper; white paper; glue
One of the amazing things about what happens in the Easter story is that out of the brokenness of Jesus’ body comes resurrected life. This craft explores that concept. Offer a selection of scrapbook paper and let children tear pieces, sticking them onto backing paper, to make a new picture of their own choosing. There is something important about using hands to tear the pieces rather than scissors as they are much more jagged and frayed this way. This craft could be used as a starting point to discuss areas of life where we feel broken or torn and where God might come to make a new picture for us.
