The Moses story for preschoolers introduces young children to God’s care and protection. The account, from Exodus 2:1-10, is filled with bravery and faith. Teach about baby Moses in age-appropriate ways. That way, preschoolers will learn that God watches over them too.
First let’s look at the Scripture account of baby Moses. Then we’ll provide specific tips and activities for teaching the Moses story for preschoolers.
Bible Background
Moses was born in Egypt, when Pharaoh ruled over the Israelites. Pharaoh was afraid that the Israelites were growing too numerous. So he ordered soldiers to throw all baby boys into the Nile River.
But one mother, Jochebed, trusted God. She placed her baby in a waterproof basket and set him afloat on the river. The baby’s sister, Miriam, watched over him from a distance.
Pharaoh’s daughter found the baby and had compassion. She decided to raise Moses as her own. She even let Jochebed, his real mother, care for him in his early years. God had a great plan for Moses and kept him safe!
Moses Story for Preschoolers: Teaching Tips
Preschoolers learn best through simple words, repetition, and hands-on activities. Start by gathering children in a cozy spot. Use a children’s Bible or picture book to tell the story. Read slowly, using expressive voices for different characters. Show pictures to help young listeners understand.
Emphasize how God loves and protects his children. Ask, “How do you think the baby felt in the basket?” “Who do you think took care of Moses?” Keep your language simple and warm. Remind children that just as God took care of Moses, he takes care of them too.
Bring this Bible lesson to life with simple props. Use a small basket and doll to re-enact the scene. Let children take turns placing the doll in the basket and gently setting it on a blue cloth representing the Nile River. Act out Miriam watching from a distance and Pharaoh’s daughter discovering the baby.
Or use puppets to tell the Moses story for preschoolers. Let a puppet “talk” to children, asking them questions. (“Oh no! What will happen to baby Moses?”) This keeps young listeners engaged and curious.
Another idea: Sing a simple song about baby Moses. Use a familiar tune and make up lyrics about God’s protection. Preschoolers love music and movement.
Moses Story for Preschoolers: Craft Ideas
Crafts reinforce the Bible lesson in fun ways. One easy idea is a baby Moses basket. Give each child a paper cup or a construction paper cutout of a basket. Let them decorate it with markers, stickers, or tissue paper. Then provide a small paper baby Moses to place inside. Children can take their baskets home to retell the story to families.
Another simple craft is a water-painting activity. Give children blue paper and let them paint “water” with a sponge or cotton balls dipped in paint. Kids can add a paper basket on top. This allows creativity while reinforcing how baby Moses floated on the river.
You can also create a storytelling mat. Have children create a river scene by gluing pieces of fabric or paper onto a large sheet. Use cotton balls for clouds, green paper for reeds, and brown for the basket. Then children can move a baby Moses figure along the river as they retell the story.
Here are 3 more fun, simple craft ideas:
- Moses Basket Collage – Let children glue colorful materials to a paper basket.
- Miriam’s Watchful Eyes – Create binoculars with toilet paper rolls, reminding children how Miriam watched over Moses.
- God’s Protection Shield – To show that God protects us, have children decorate a paper shield with stickers and drawings.
Moses Story for Preschoolers: Games & Activities
Next up: Preschoolers love to move! So use activities that get children involved. One fun game is Float the Basket. Fill a plastic tub with water. Then let children take turns placing small baskets (or cups) inside to see them float. Discuss how Moses’ basket floated safely on the river.
Another game to try: Baby Hide and Seek. Hide a baby doll around the room and let children find it. Relate that to how God watched over Moses, just as he watches over us.
Or play Follow Miriam! Choose one child to be Miriam. Then have the others follow in a line, just as Miriam followed the basket. This simple activity reinforces the lesson while keeping preschoolers engaged.
