Hobbies And Interests
Trinity Crafts
According to the Catholic Online website, Saint Patrick used the shamrock to explain the trinity. Read the verse from Matthew 28:19 of the trinity to the preschoolers, which reads "Therefore go and make disciplines of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Print pictures of three-leaf clovers. Have the preschoolers cut and paste the words, "Father," "Holy Spirit" and "Son" in each one of the leaves on the clover. For another St. Patrick's Day trinity craft, give each preschooler three wooden craft sticks, which will represent the three in one concept of the trinity, and have him color them green. Help each child write, "Holy Spirit," "Father" and "Son" on the sticks (one word per stick). Glue the sticks in a triangle shape and attach a piece of ribbon for hanging it up.
Rainbow Crafts
Many children associate rainbows, leprechauns and pots of gold with St. Patrick's Day. This makes rainbow crafts easy to incorporate in Sunday school classes. According to the Enchanted Learning website, you can give each child a white paper plate. Cut several strands of colored crepe streamer in 2 feet lengths. The children will glue or tape several colored streamers to the plate and let them hang down to resemble a rainbow. To make the paper plate resemble a cloud, have the children glue cotton balls on the plate or cut the paper plate into the shape of a cloud. For another rainbow craft, help the students trace their hands on colored construction paper. Cut out the hands and glue them in layers by color on a large piece of butcher paper. This will make a large handprint rainbow.
Shape Crafts
Shamrocks are associated with the trinity and make easy crafts for children in a Sunday school class. They can also help preschoolers practice their shape knowledge. Help the preschoolers cut out shapes to make their own shamrocks. Cut circles or hearts for the shamrock leaves and a triangle for the stem. Use any materials, such as magazines, card stock paper, construction paper or fabric, to create the shamrock. The preschoolers can glue the three circles or hearts in a triangle shape and the triangle shape at the bottom to create the stem of the shamrock. For added decoration, they can paint a thin layer of glue on top of the shamrock and sprinkle it with green glitter. Shake off excess glitter when it dries and the shamrock will sparkle.
Celtic Cross Crafts
It is believed that Saint Patrick made the mark of a Latin cross through a circle, blessing the stone and making it the first Celtic cross, according to the Apples 4 the Teacher website. Your Sunday school class can make Celtic crosses using craft foam. Cut cross shapes in green craft foam and give one to each child. The children can decorate the crosses using shamrock stickers and Celtic designs. Give the children white and green glitter pens to decorate the crosses. Tape a loop of yarn or string at the top of the crosses so the children can hang them. For an easy craft, have the children try to draw a Celtic cross. Print a picture of a Celtic cross for them to look at as a guide.