For our kids, the story of Noah and the ark is a great way to talk about how God feels about sin, the punishment for sin, and God’s amazing grace and mercy to those he saves.
Was Noah’s ark a historical story?
Yes! God’s inspired, inerrant, infallible Word tells the story about Noah and his family in Genesis. His story is also treated as history by other authors in the Bible.
- God talks about the flood of Noah through the prophet Isaiah. (Isaiah 54:9)
- God also spoke about Noah through the prophet Ezekiel. (Ezekiel 14:14, 14:20)
- Jesus referred to Noah and the flood. (Matthew 24:37-39, Luke 17:26-27)
- Hebrews 11:7 talks about Noah’s faith in God.
- The apostle Peter also talks about God’s judgment of the sinful and salvation of Noah and his family. (1 Peter 3:20, 2 Peter 2:5)
Noah and the Ark
The biblical story of Noah’s Ark is found in Genesis 6:9-9:17. While it’s a little long for young kids to digest in one setting, I suggest reading it over a few days. You can even do a little bit of this craft each day as you read!
Talk about:
- Why did God flood the earth?
- How serious is our sin? What is the punishment for sin?
- Did God save Noah and his family because Noah was a “good” man, or because Noah believed in God and repented of his sins?
- How did God care for Noah, his family, and the animals?
- What is God’s great plan for salvation? (Grab your free gospel poster with Bible verse cards here.)
The story of Noah’s Ark is a wonderful illustration of how God shows grace and mercy to those who repent and believe in Jesus, confessing Jesus with their mouths. Likewise, it is a graphic example of the punishment for sinning against God.
Ok! Let’s make a Noah’s ark craft.
Noah’s Ark Craft for Kids
Check out this fun video of the Noah’s Ark craft!
Noah’s Ark Craft Supplies
You’ll need a few supplies to make your Noah’s ark craft:
- Cardstock
- Paper Plate
- Permanent Markers
- Scissors
- Glue
- Pencil
- Printable Template with Instructions
Cardstock PaperFiskars Scissors[300 Pack] Bulk Disposable White Uncoated Paper Plates, 9 Inch LargeSharpie 30078 Permanent Markers, Fine Point, Classic Colors, 8 Count (Assorted)Elmers Washable No-Run School Glue, 4 oz, 1 Bottle (E304) – Pack of 2Elmer’s-E5010 Extra Strength Glue Sticks, 0.28 Ounces, 4 CountPentel Twist-Erase Express Mechanical Pencil, 0.5mm, Assorted Barrel Colors (QE415LZBP4), 4 pack
Creating Your Noah’s Ark Craft
Your Noah’s Ark craft is based on this great painting by Edward Hicks.
Facts about Edward Hicks:
- Edward Hicks was born in Pennsylvania, USA in 1780.
- He died in 1849, also in Pennsylvania.
- Edward Hicks began his young adulthood as a coach painter and house painter. He was dismayed by his own sin, specifically his penchant for coarse language.
- Hicks joined the Quakers and became a Quaker minister.
- Minister Hicks began painting American folk art in 1820.
- You can take a look at a few of Edward Hicks’ paintings here. Talk about what similarities you see in his style.
- Quakers believe in “the light within.” Do you see light featured in Hicks’ paintings?
- Folk art usually has bright colors, flattened features, and sometimes features are emphasized–the figures are not always realistic.
You and your kids can make a representation of the biblical story of Noah’s ark in the 1846 Noah’s Ark painting by Edward Hicks.
1) Print and cut out the template pieces.
Print the template pages from step-by-step instructions and cut out the pieces.
2) Cut out and assemble Noah’s ark.
Trace and cut out the ark using the template pieces. Your child can choose the cardstock colors they prefer.
Glue the door, windows, and roof onto the ark’s cabin. Glue the ramp support beneath the ramp.
Glue the ark together as shown. Ask your kids if they remember how the door was shut. (Genesis 7:16)
3) Cut out and assemble the animals.
Allow your child to pick out cardstock colors for the elephant, giraffe, and camel. You can always be creative and add more animals as well!
Trace the animal templates onto the cardstock, then cut out the pieces. You’ll want to make two of each creature.
Glue your animals together as shown.
Use a permanent marker to draw simple eyes, nose, and mouth on each animal as shown.
4) Assemble your Noah and the ark scene.
Cut out and glue cardstock layers onto a paper plate to create grass, dirt, and a sky as shown.
Glue your ark and animals onto your paper plate.
Display your Noah’s ark craft somewhere your child will see it as a reminder of God’s grace and mercy for those who love and follow him.
Bible Resources for Your Kids
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Puzzle-Based Independent Bible Study for Kids!
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” – Romans 12:2, ESV
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- Observe: They pay attention to what they’re reading.
- Interpret: They figure out what the Bible means in that section.
- Apply: They decide how the truth of God’s Word impacts their life today.
There are a great many truths in life to be found—some interesting, some boring, and some that really matter. You can be the kind of investigator who spends time puzzling out important truth so that you can know all the knowable knowledge that God has given us. That’s right. God, the Creator of the Universe, gave you a great big letter from him to explore and study so that you can discover the truths that really matter to your life!”
Bible Investigators: Creation, (The Good Book Company, 2024), page 7
The Bible Investigators: Creation Bible study for kids, written by Danika Cooley and published by The Good Book Company, is 272-pages of learning, puzzles, and fun activities designed to help your kids become amazing independent Bible investigators–observing, interpreting, and applying God’s Word as they learn what the Bible teaches on a particular subject.
Bible Puzzles for Kids
Middle grade kids, aged 8-12, love puzzles. After all, their brains are just built for figuring things out and memorizing facts. Puzzles are a wonderful way to help kids develop logic skills and retain important information. And, the book is written in a fun, conversational tone your children are sure to love!
What types of puzzles and activities will you find in Bible Investigators?
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- Word Searches
- Crosswords
- Rebus Puzzles
- Dot-to-Dots
- Logic Puzzles
- Missing Letter Puzzles
- Cryptograms
- Word Sudoku
- Mazes
- How-to-Draw Pages
- Matching Pairs
- Word Scrambles
- Journal Pages
Every child is sure to find activities they’ll love!
Elementary-aged kids need hands-on middle grade resources that engage them and equip them to process important truths.