You may have a stash of them somewhere, cluttering your refrigerator, tucked away in a keepsake book, or displayed proudly on a shelf. It’s those pieces of priceless art we call “crafts.” As a children’s leader, you might think crafts are messy, time consuming, or expensive. Maybe you need a few reminders of the value of crafts.

First, crafts provide a hands-on learning experience. A craft can involve all five senses, creating a unique learning opportunity that can’t be imitated by any other teaching method.

Second, crafts are a great reminder of the Bible story. Just this past Sunday, a four year old was leaving church. She picked up her very own rendition of the Tower of Babel and proudly told her mom about the tower she just learned about.

Finally, crafts give parents a tool to talk about what their kids learned at church. It was great to hear that same little girl and her mom walking down the hallway having a conversation about the Bible story.

For these reasons, you will find several craft options in The Gospel Project for Kids. Here are some questions to ask when considering a craft:

1. How will this relate to my group of kids? For instance, making a flower may not be the right option for a class of mostly boys.
2. Do I have the time and helpers? Some crafts require more assistance, or you may need to do some extra preparation to accommodate the time you have available.
3. Are the supplies available? Don’t assume supplies will be in the resource room.
4. Can I make it? Always make a sample. It will help the kids visually and help you with any challenges the kids might face.
5. How will it help me teach the Bible story? A great craft with no connection to the Bible story is just a great craft. Formulate a plan for what you will say before, during, and after the craft.

If you are still not convinced crafts are for you, there’s always another activity option. However, don’t let that one bad experience—or fear of the potential craft disaster—keep you away. Make a mess. Invest a little time and money. Make a memorable difference in a kid’s life.