“Make A Memory Jar” Kids Craft

 

This household object lesson doubles as a fun Memory Jar kids craft that Dad’s will love to open time and time again. It’s great for kids old enough to write!  We’re using empty jars to show how Christian dads like to be filled up by two  things – the Holy Spirit and precious memories of their families.

Looking for more great Bible Craft Ideas?  Check out these 40  Awesome Make & Take Bible Crafts!

 

Memory Jar Kids Craft for Dad’s

Household Object: Empty glass jar with lid (note: a baby food jar is too small!)

Other Materials:

– Clean, empty glass or plastic clear jars with lids, 1 for each student
– Curling Ribbon, multiple colors
– Different colored sheets of printer paper for memories
– Printouts of Father’s Day scripture verses (included), 1 sheet for each child
– Wrapping paper, colors that match the curling ribbon
– Stick glue
– Pens
– Scissors
– Markers
– Candy Kisses, a dozen for each child

 

Preparation:

– Because you may be spending a lot of time helping kids think of their  favorite memories, you may want to create the side-ribbons for the memory  jar in advance. For each, cut 8 pieces of curling ribbon, mixing colors, each between 8 inches and 12 inches long. Tie them altogether with a 9th piece of curling ribbon at their approximate center in length. Curl all 9 pieces so that they cascade.

– Cut all the different colored papers into 2-inch by 2-inch squares

– Take four of the squares and write on each a fun memory you had with your dad when you were a kid.

– Using a pen, trace the tops of all jars on the back side of the wrapping paper and cut out the circle.

Lesson & Instructions:

Hold up a jar with the lid on it. What are some ways we can describe this jar?

Kids may say tall or clean or clear”¦the word you are looking for is EMPTY!!

This jar is a little like Dad was at one time. That was long before he had you. But then”¦you and your siblings were born! All of a sudden, Dad’s life changed a lot. Dad got filled with memories!

I have some really fun memories with my dad from when I was a kid. My earliest favorite memory of my dad was the time”¦ say what your earliest favorite memory was. Hold up the sheet on which you wrote it. Fold it up in half and put it in the jar. What is your first great memory with your dad? Let them answer.

My most favorite memory of all with my dad is”¦ say what your favorite memory of all is. Hold up the sheet on which you wrote it. Fold it up in half and put it in the jar. What is your favorite memory of all with your dad?

Note: Make it a fun game to get them to go from general to specific. If they say, “Going to the movies,” ask “Which movie was your favorite?” If they say going to see a baseball game, ask, “Which baseball game? Which summer? How old were you?”

My dad and I loved to laugh. The time I saw my dad laugh the hardest was”¦. say what your memory is of your dad laughing his hardest. Hold up the sheet on which you wrote it. Fold it up in half and put it in the jar. What is the time you remember seeing your dad laugh the hardest?

My favorite Christmas or birthday present that I gave to my dad was really special to him and me. It was”¦ say what your favorite present was. Hold up the sheet on which you wrote it. Fold it in half and put it in the jar. What was your favorite thing that you ever gave your dad?

Hold up the other things that you wrote about your dad. These are other things I remember doing with my dad that have left fond memories. Fold them all up and put them in the jar. What other fond memories do you have with your dad?

Let them answer. Again, try to get them to be specific. If they gave dad a shirt, ask “was it blue plaid?” “What color?” “What was the occasion?”

Christian dads often say there is only one thing more important to them than their relationships with their family members. What do they say is more important than that? Their relationship with God.

Hold the jar up, which is filled with all sorts of memories. A happy dad is one that is full of memories that his kids enjoyed. Therefore this jar is getting more like a happy dad with every memory we add. But dads also need the Lord to be completely happy. Some of you may have dads who don’t know Jesus, and others have dads who do. But it’s all the same. Dads are most happy when they have God in their lives. So, we’re gonna put some of God in our Dad jars”¦

Fold your set of scriptures from the printout sheet. Read a couple, then drop them in the jar one at a time. God is our heavenly Dad. He knows exactly how Dads feel. He wants us all to have a good relationship with Him and good relationships with each other.

Proverbs 23:24 says, “The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, And he who begets a wise son will be glad in him.” If Dad is going to have wise children, what does he need to be himself? Wise! And where doesbwisdom come from? God!

The last thing we’re adding to the jar is the love which God gave us for our dads. Add 10 candy kisses.

Screw the lid on the jar and using the stick glue, fix the wrapping paper circle to the top.

Ephesians 1:13 says when we make a decision to love Christ, the Holy Spirit seals us with His love. Now this jar is really like our Christian dads”¦filled with precious memories, the Holy Spirit, the love of his child”¦ Oh! I almost forgot!

Tie a curling ribbon bow around the neck of the jar with the 10th piece of curling ribbon. Often a man is made better by the love of a good woman. At last! I have a great gift for my dad! Now it’s my turn to help you make yours!

Help the kids with all phases, but especially thinking up the memories. Keep working on their details, as this is what will make dad’s smile broaden and his heart swell. When each child is finished, he should have 9 or 10 precious memories (or as many as they can think of!), 10 scriptures about parenting, and 10 candy kisses. Allow each child to eat two themselves”¦

Cut out the following scriptures to add to your dad’s memory jar:

Genesis 18:19
“For I have chosen him, in order that he may
command his children and his household after
him to keep the way of the LORD by doing
righteousness and justice; in order that the
LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has
spoken about him.”

Psalm 103:13
Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear
Him.

Proverbs 3:11″12
My son, do not reject the discipline of the
LORD, Or loathe His reproof, For whom the
LORD loves He reproves, Even as a father, the
son in whom he delights.

Proverbs 23:22
Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do
not despise your mother when she is old.

Proverbs 23:24
The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice,
And he who begets a wise son will be glad in
him.

Proverbs 29:15
The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child
who gets his own way brings shame to his
mother.

Malachi 4:6
“And he will restore the hearts of the fathers to
their children, and the hearts of the children to
their fathers, lest I come and smite the land
with a curse.”

Ephesians 6:4
And fathers, do not provoke your children to
anger; but bring them up in the discipline and
instrucWon of the Lord.

Colossians 3:21
Fathers, do not exasperate your children, that
they may not lose heart.

Hebrews 12:7
It is for discipline that you endure; God deals
with you as with sons; for what son is there
whom his father does not discipline?

 

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