In these creation activities for preschoolers, children explore the story of Creation. Glow-in-the-dark stars help them understand and experience God’s light.
Creation Activities for Preschoolers: Let There Be Light
Bible Basis: Genesis 1:1-31
You’ll need:
- Bible
- sheet of dark-colored construction paper for each child
- glow-in-the-dark star stickers
Prep
Before this activity, remove the glow-in-the-dark star stickers from their package. Set them in a place where they have direct exposure to a light source such as a window or lamp. This allows the stickers to absorb plenty of light so they’ll glow brightly.
Dark Into Light
Next, hold up a sheet of dark-colored paper.
Say: Before God made our world, everything was completely dark, like this paper. There was nothing in the world—not a sun or a moon or stars. Let’s close our eyes to see what that might have been like.
Close your eyes, and direct the children to do the same. Tell children to keep their eyes closed until you say to open them. You might suggest they put their hands over their eyes to make it “extra” dark.
While their eyes are still closed, ask:
- What do you see?
- What would it be like if our world was like this all the time?
Say: In the Bible, the first thing God said was, “Let there be light.” And the world became bright! Let’s call out together, “Let there be light!” just as God did. Then we’ll open our eyes and see what happens.
Have the children call out with you, “Let there be light!”
When they’ve opened their eyes, ask:
- Now what do you see?
Say: Giving light to the whole world is something only God can do! Only God can make light as bright as the sun or as pretty as the stars.
Crafty Creation
Give each child a sheet of dark-colored construction paper.
Say: Let’s add something special to our dark pieces of paper to remember that when God made our world, God gave us light, too. Put one of these star stickers on your paper. When you do that, say, “Thank you, God, for making our world.”
Distribute the glow-in-the-dark stickers. Then let children place stickers on their papers as they say, “Thank you, God, for making our world.”
When everyone is finished, say: Now turn your paper over so you can’t see your star. When I turn off the lights, let’s all call out, “Let there be light!” just as God did. Then we’ll turn our papers over again, and we’ll see a big surprise!
Be sure the children have turned their papers star-side down before you turn off the lights. Then have them turn their papers back over to show their stars.