Spaghetti and marshmallow tree challenge
You will need: dried spaghetti, mini-marshmallows, plastic eggs
This is a very simple but incredibly absorbing craft, so leave plenty of time! Set children the challenge of building a ‘tree’ out of spaghetti which will support a plastic Easter egg. (Real eggs are way too heavy for what they are likely to build!) Use mini-marshmallows to join the spaghetti and to stick it together. Be prepared for great inventiveness! You can use this activity and the perseverance needed to build a supporting tree to connect with the story of Zacchaeus’ perseverance and curiosity in climbing the tree to see Jesus. It might also lead to questions such as: “how far would you go to see Jesus?” and to thinking about the extent that some people go to in order to find out about God and to live as he wants them to.
Litmus-paper changed hearts
You will need: litmus paper strips (available cheaply online), paper hearts, various liquids and wet things that are safe for children to touch such as liquid soap, washing-up liquid, lemon juice, squash, water, cold tea, cut fruit
This craft helps children to explore the idea of change (Zacchaeus was changed by his encounter with Jesus) and also the concept that Jesus can see things in people that the rest of us can’t on the surface. Talk about the fact that litmus paper reveals the PH (acid / alkaline) level of a substance, which can’t be seen just by looking at the item. Let children experiment with touching one of the strips to a certain liquid. Each liquid will have a different PH level and that will turn the strip a corresponding colour. You don’t know what colour you will get until you test it! You can’t judge just by what you see on the surface. Hopefully there will be some element of surprise for the children (they could predict the colour before testing). When the children have experimented with several strips, ask them to arrange them inside a heart shape or any other shape they want. Use the opportunity to talk about Zacchaeus’ change of heart and what Jesus could see about him that others couldn’t.
Styrofoam story prints
You will need: paint, paper, flat Styrofoam circles or squares cut from Styrofoam plates or sheets, pencils, paint brushes
Talk to the children about their favourite part of the story, their favourite character or the most striking part of the story they have heard. Ask them to draw a simple picture of what they have shared on the back of the Styrofoam circle or square, pressing lightly with a pencil. When they have drawn their picture lightly, get them to press harder with their pencil on all of the lines so that the lines become quite deep (but not so deep that they cut through the back of the sheet). Paint a thin layer of paint over the etched-in drawing and then press the paint side down firmly onto a piece of paper. Lift up the styrofoam and you should be left with a print of your picture! Repeat and give the children time to share and explain what their pictures show.
Edible fruit trees
You will need: stick biscuits or chocolates such as ladyfingers or Matchmakers, grapes, kiwi fruit, apples, pears
This craft is suitable for under-fives. Talk to children about Jesus going to share a meal with Zacchaeus and that this helps us to see that Jesus wanted to be Zacchaeus’ friend. Get children to use the sticks and fruit to make a tree like the one Zacchaeus climbed in the story. When everyone has finished their trees, eat together as friends, just like Jesus and Zacchaeus would have done.
