In my previous posts (Part 1 & Part 2), I explored how art in Sunday School is more than just a creative activity. Art can be a reflection of faith and a powerful way to be seen and known. In Sunday School, art projects serve as more than just creative outlets; they are powerful tools for inclusivity and expression. By integrating Sunday School art projects into the curriculum, churches can foster an environment where every child, regardless of age or ability, feels valued and engaged.
And just so we are on the same page, when I talk about art, I don’t mean crafts. Crafts often follow a set pattern, with a clear example to copy and a “right” way to do things. Art, on the other hand, is open-ended, expressive and unique to each participant. It invites imagination, curiosity, and personal interpretation just like faith itself.
Art in Sunday School Adapts to Every Child’s Age
I teach in a small church with a wide age range. On any given Sunday, we have can have anywhere from 15-40 kids from ages 3 to 12, plus a handful of teen volunteers who can’t quite give up Sunday school (and honestly, we love that). I haven’t found many crafts that grab the interest of this broad age range. Art seems to win every time.
One morning, we were learning about Moses and the Exodus, and our Sunday School art project was to sculpt baby Moses figurines from Model Magic. We talked about God’s presence in uncertainty, imagining what it would feel like to be gently held in a basket on the uncertain stream of the Nile. With just a little guidance and possible ways to shape a baby or “weave” a clay basket, the kids took off with their own interpretations.
Our preschoolers giggled as they wrapped their lumpy little figures in clay “blankets.” Older kids added tiny details like soothers and tufts of hair while the teens got ultra-competitive, trying to craft the most realistic version. Baskets ranged from adorable blobs to intricately woven designs. Every baby took on a unique personality. Children, from toddler to teen, were fully engaged.
That’s the magic of art.
Art in Sunday School Adapts to Every Ability
Art is also an incredible tool for inclusivity. Because art has no single “right” outcome, every child can participate in a way that suits their skills, comfort, and imagination. You can teach techniques, introduce new supplies, and encourage kids to experiment with different tools, but the beauty of art is in its balance of guidance mixed with exploration and play.
Have you ever thought about how traditional crafts can unintentionally exclude kids. A child with dyspraxia might struggle with the fine motor coordination needed to cut neatly or glue tiny pieces together. A child with sensory sensitivities might find certain textures unbearable (cue the shudders at the thought of cotton balls). A child with ADHD might feel stifled by the slow, step-by-step process of assembling a craft but come alive when handed a paintbrush and given space to move. There are also simple differences between likes and interests of children. The final product of some crafts might spark the interest of some while be uninteresting to others.
Sunday School art projects have a magical ability to meet kids where they are. They don’t force them into a rigid process or a one-size-fits-all outcome. Some kids are energized by bold, fast strokes, painting broad, dramatic colours across the page, while others carefully layer tiny, intricate details. Some love the precision of a fine marker, while others want to sculpt, smudge, or splatter. A sample project can provide an inspiring pathway for some kids but the supplies can easily be adapted. I can’t count the number of times that I’ve introduced a new art project with paint or clay to enter into a theme in God’s story and a child in the room uses the supplies to paint Pokemon or illustrate a picture about something else completely off topic. I welcome this. Art allows every child, with a variety of abilities and personalities, to feel seen, valued, and able to engage with God’s story in a way that’s personal and meaningful to them. Holy moments weave together between God’s story and every child’s story in the room.
Art Extends to Intergenerational Church Experiences
I know I’ve been talking about children, but this approach isn’t just for Sunday school, it’s a fantastic tool for intergenerational discipleship too. Try it sometime. Bring art into your church and let the whole congregation get involved. Find a piece of artwork that ties into the sermon or message, and ask them to share their observations. Then, take it a step further and invite them to participate in making art.
I saw this firsthand during a recent intergenerational service. We split into groups to create paper collages of Bible stories. Admittedly, it was part game, part art project. The teams had a limited time to create scenes from Bible stories that others could recognize. It was chaos in the best way as tables erupted into action. Even the adults I thought might groan at the idea dove right in. There was tearing of paper, careful cutting, and marker details. We had small children creating anatomically correct scenes from the Garden of Eden, while adults giggled as they cut out leaves to stick on top. At another table, folks were meticulously cutting out bones for the story of Ezekiel, and one table leaned over asking, “What Bible story has dog bones in it?” We included the artwork in a slideshow, helping us explore the themes that weave throughout the Bible’s grand narrative. Everyone participated, either by creating or by offering thoughts and opinions. It was joyful and full of energy.
We’ve also worked on a congregational mural. We tore paper into a rainbow of colours and created a collage together that reflected who we are as a community: welcoming, growing, and sharing Christ’s light, both in church and outside it. This piece became more than just a project; it became a visual reminder of God’s presence with us and our calling to carry that light wherever we go. It now hangs in the church each week, reminding us of our shared mission.
Art isn’t something we should outgrow. It’s a language of the soul and a way to connect with our artistic Creator and with each other. Whether you’re 3 or 93, art invites you to play, explore, and discover. And that’s exactly the kind of faith I want to nurture.
Simple Ways to Start Using Art in Church
Many crafts require a lot of prep or a big list of supplies. Art doesn’t have to be complicated and it often utilizes supplies you already have. Here are some very easy ways to get started:
- Set out paint of any kind and illustrate a scene from a Bible story.
- Have an artist in your congregation? Invite them to share their work and provide a tutorial of how to create art in their style.
- Create a collage with scraps of paper or tissue paper to illustrate a theme.
- Sculpt with plasticine or clay to express an emotion in the story or even create props for each chid to tell their own Godly Play story.
- Use scraps of cardboard to create cut out pictures or sculptures of people, places or objects from a story.
How are you using art with children in church? Have you used art for intergenerational worship? What ideas would you share or what resources would you find helpful?
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