Weekly Fun Plan: The Wise Men
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Welcome to this week’s Weekly Fun Plan: The Wise Men! If you haven’t already I recommend you read my introductory blog post “Faith-filled Fun: What Is It? And Why I Started It”. That post will give you some background into this blog and a little more in-depth explanation of my Weekly Fun Plans and how to use them.
This Week’s Theme: The Wise Men
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but we’ve already reached the last week before Christmas! That means this week I’m giving you my fourth and final Christmas-themed fun plan for this year and will cover the final part of the Christmas story. This week’s lesson “The Wise Men” will talk about the 3 magi who followed the star to visit Jesus and worship him when he was born, and all our craft, snack, and activity ideas will be “wise men/king” themed.
If you try anything in this week’s plan don’t forget to share your experiences on social media! Tag us @faithfilledfun on Instagram or use #faithfilledfun. New Weekly Fun Plans drop each Monday so stay up to date with the blog by subscribing to my email list and get brand new Bible lessons, crafts, snacks, and activities sent to you every week.
Bible Lesson: What to Read or Watch this week
Since this week we are covering the wise men and their gifts to Jesus, here are some great resources to read/watch:
If you have young children (ages 0-8):
- Read: Matthew 2:1-12
- Watch: “BIG Christmas Questions for Kids: Part 4 – The 3 Wise Men | Bible Stories for Kids” by Minno-Bible Stories for Kids on YouTube. This is a cute 5-minute video and the final Minno Christmas video we will go through this holiday season.
If you have older children/teens (ages 9-18):
- Read or have them read the following verses in their own personal study time:
- Matthew 2:1-12
Bible Lesson: Questions to Ask Your Kids/Discuss this week
If you read the recommended Bible verses or watched the YouTube video your kids should be able to answer this week’s question:
Why did the wise men follow the star? Answer To find and worship Jesus!
If you have little ones (ages 0-8):
I would focus on that one question this week, and work on having them memorize the answer. Ask them that same question several times throughout the week and see if they can remember the answer.
If you have older children (ages 9-18):
Here are some additional questions you can discuss with them throughout the week:
- What 3 gifts did the wise men bring Jesus?
- Why didn’t the wise men return to King Herod after visiting Jesus?
- What gifts of worship can you give to Jesus?
Bible Lesson: Memory Verse
Memorizing scripture is vital to teaching our children at a young age. Recalling and reciting scripture that they’ve memorized will help them as they grow and go through trials in life. It will also encourage them, equip them to go out and be little disciples of Jesus, and strengthen their faith as they age.
This week let’s have your kids work on memorizing Matthew 2:10 (if they are little) and Matthew 2:10-11 (if they are older)
Memorizing scripture is so much easier for kids if you can find a way to make it fun. Here are some different ideas to try as a family to help memorize this week’s verse:
- Come up with some simple motions for each word of the verse and make a cheer or dance out of it.
- Come up with your own melody and create a song out of it.
- Make it a game. Start by saying one word or phrase of the verse at a time and have your kids repeat after you until you’ve gotten through the whole verse. Then repeat the process saying the words differently every time. Examples: slow, fast, in a silly voice, quiet, loud, etc.
Once your child/children have got it, I recommend practicing reciting the verse each morning over breakfast or before they leave for school and maybe even again before bed. Make it a part of your routine and you’ll be amazed at how fast they will begin to pick it up.
Supplies needed for this week’s activities
Here is a quick list of all the supplies that you will need to complete all the suggested crafts, activities, and snacks for this week’s plan. For a list of my most used craft supplies, and things I will be utilizing often in future Weekly Fun Plans be sure to check out my Links page.
- Scissors
- Crayons, Colored Pencils, or Markers
- Glue
- Glitter
- Paper Plates
- Craft Felt
- Fabric Glue
- Fabric Paint
- String
- Stickers
- Gold Chocolate Coins
- Raisins
- Dried Apricots
- Powdered Sugar
Recipe: The Gifts of the Wise Men
This week’s recipe is a unique and fun one. We are going to be recreating the 3 gifts of the wise men with food. Make just enough for a snack at home, or make extra and give some snack bags out as little gifts.
- Gold = Gold Chocolate Coins
- Frankincense = Cut up some dried apricots and coat the pieces in powdered sugar
- Myrrh = Raisins
Crafts:
For this week’s crafts, we are making “Wise Men Paper Crowns” and “Wise Men Felt Ornaments”. Both crafts will get your kids talking and asking questions about the wise men who followed the star to find Jesus and make great holiday activities.
Wise Men Paper Plate Crowns:
Our first craft this week doubles as a creative DIY activity for your kids and a fun dress-up piece they can play with after. Follow the link for easy step-by-step instructions for these Wise Men Paper Plate Crowns!
Wise Men Felt Ornaments:
For our second craft this week, we have these festive and sweet Wise Men Felt Ornaments. This craft is easy to make and a great keepsake for your tree or as a gift for others! Follow the link for an easy step-by-step guide.
Activities:
With our theme this week “The Wise Men” here are a few extra ideas for activities to do with your children. Feel free to come up with your own ideas too:
- Dress up as the wise men and reenact the Christmas story.
- Have your child see if they can recreate the Wise Men story using toys from around the house.
- Make “The Gifts of the Wise Men” snack bags and hand them out to neighbors, friends, or family.
- Wait for a night with clear skies, go outside as a family, and look up at the stars.
Parenting Tip of the Week:
One easy way we can help our children build a strong foundation of faith is through the music we listen to in our homes and in the car. It can be such a passive activity having music on in the background while we cook dinner, while they play with their toys, or while we drive them to school or practice, but it can make such an impact. Fill your home with praise and worship music whenever possible. You’ll see the greatest effects of this when you suddenly hear your children singing along to the words of your favorite worship song. Check out my Spotify for playlists I’ve created specifically with Christian Songs for Kids and My Current Worship Favs to play in our home!
Prayers:
Lastly, I like to end each Weekly Fun Plan with some example prayers for your week. One is to pray with your kids, maybe before they get on the bus in the morning, before a meal, or before bed, and the other prayer is for you, the parent, to pray over your kids throughout the week.
Prayer to say with your kids this week:
Dear God, Thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus! May our lives be a gift of worship back to You. Amen.
(From this week’s Minno BIG Christmas Questions for Kids: Part 4 – The 3 Wise Men video)
Prayer to pray over your kids this week:
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for the gift of Your Son and this Christmas season with my family. I pray that my child/children will remember the importance of all the parts of the Christmas story that we have learned about together this month. May our family work together to further your kingdom and be a gift back to you. Amen.
I hope you have an amazing week and don’t forget to subscribe to my email list and follow me on Instagram @faithfilledfun to stay up to date with the blog!