Posted on

Five Easter Activities Perfect for Tweens and Teens

What if I told you You ARE an ARTiST offers Easter activities perfect for tweens and teens and suitable for all ages? Nana also has a brand new art lesson appropriate just for your tween or teen!

You ARE an ARTiST offers Easter activities perfect for tweens and teens and suitable for all ages

Finding Activities For Tweens and Teens Can Be Difficult

Because teens and tweens have different needs than younger children, finding activities to meet their needs can be difficult.

Tweens are budding teens. Tweens develop and desire independence and begin to have a maturity with deeper thoughts and conversations. At the same time, they don’t completely put away their childlike toys; horses, dolls, light sabers, Legos to name a few. But a mother will notice that they will gradually begin to lose interest. They are in the ”in between” stage.

Teens have complete independence in many ways (they definitely still need their parents’ guidance), are able to tackle more challenging activities, and in some areas, take on a more grown up role. For example, taking on jobs, driving, leading worship at youth groups.

“…but the things of childhood will slip away from her. The little girl loses interest in her play world. She who did play whole days with her dolls now leaves them in their little beds whole weeks at a time.”

Mable Hale, Beautiful Girlhood p. 20

I remember a particular Easter weekend, when my four children five and under piled into our vehicle to head to Grandma’s house. My fourth, a mere three weeks old, experienced his first road trip and looked so tiny tucked in his car seat. His older siblings, full of eagerness, fidgeted in the backseat, asking the famous question, “are we there yet?”.

Momma, tired from packing all day and feeding baby every few hours, couldn’t wait for everyone to meet her little squishy bundle of joy. She was thankful for her husband as he knew she felt exhausted, and helped pick up any pieces she missed for this trip.  Little did momma know how quickly these precious days would become fond memories. Little did she know how quickly those four little faces would change throughout the years.

Beautiful Girlhood

Upon arrival at Grandma’s house, the sweet aromas of freshly baked pies greeted us with a warm welcome. Grandma’s hand sewn apron gave subtle hints that she worked hard all day as she hugged us at the door. Aunties prepared tables with special plates, cups, and silverware passed on from generations. Grandpa, uncles, and dads placed extra chairs around tables and brought in firewood to keep us all cozy. Those little feet, belonging to cousins, rang a chorus of “pitter patter” as they excitedly anticipated all the Easter goodies and activities.

These were the days when my children giggled enthusiastically at my silly faces. These were the days when I could scoop up a few children with a twirl and hear them chuckle without restrain. These were the days when they would beg for an Eric Carle or Karma Wilson read aloud at bedtime.

Presently, the quad finds embarrassment when I dance down the aisle at the grocery store. I couldn’t pick one up for a twirl if I tried. Although they still love picture books and a good read aloud, they have moved onto the classics of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R Tolkein.  

This adventure from childhood to youth happens so quickly, and my mother’s heart wants to keep their childlike ways a bit longer. But it’s impossible to make time stand still even for a moment. Children will undoubtedly walk through the stages of their growing and maturing years; with the teen and tween years holding their own noticeable hallmark.

And, we can help them transition with activities designed with them in mind!

You ARE an ARTiST offers Easter activities perfect for tweens and teens and suitable for all ages

5 Easter Activities Perfect For Tweens and Teens

With Resurrection Day approaching, are you searching for Easter activities that fit perfectly for both age groups?

“And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.”

Matthew 28:2-4

As Easter approaches, we must quiet our hearts and have a time of reflection on Jesus, His life, and His ministry. As Paul David Tripp writes in his devotional, New Morning Mercies, “In love He beckons you to follow. Again, today, He promises you life. It’s what He came to live, die, and rise again to give you. That empty tomb not only means He has conquered death, but it tells you He has life in His hands…”

You ARE an ARTiST offers Easter activities perfect for tweens and teens and suitable for all ages

Resurrection Morning Easter Art Lesson

What a sweet Savior we have who paid it all by willingly giving His life on that cross….and rising again so we could have life abundantly in Him. Let’s recount this glorious day with Nana and paint absolute JOY, as she shares her heavenly concept painting, Resurrection Morning. Bursting with warm and soft colors, join Nana as she takes you into the twilight of the morning, and recreates “the joy both Marys found going to Jesus’ tomb on Easter morning”. This most beautiful, treasured scene is Nana’s depiction of one of her favorite childhood Bible stories found in Matthew 28.

You ARE an ARTiST offers Easter activities perfect for tweens and teens and suitable for all ages

Companion New Testament and Easter Guides for Your Homeschool

Another precious way to slow down and reflect on Jesus this season is to paint the magnificent miracles He performed, the Washing of His Disciples Feet, the Last Supper, and the Garden of Gethsemane. Nana’s art lessons pair beautifully with Chalk Pastel Art’s I Drew It Then I Knew It New Testament Companion Guide. By using the Companion Guide, you will have a calendar, book resources, an overview for each subject of study, five facts, and detective work, right at your fingertips! This makes for easy prep time!

Disciples of Christ Easter Activities

To take your child’s learning a step further, The Disciples of Christ Unit Study for Your Homeschool, is perfect for preparing hearts and minds for Easter. This engaging unit study about the twelve disciples also complements Chalk Pastel Art’s I Drew It Then I Knew It New Testament Companion Guide.

Children will glean from Nana’s engaging art lessons on the apostles: Matthew, James, John, Andrew, and Peter. Nana also discusses each disciple in her art lessons too! What more could a homeschool mom ask for? In Courtney’s post, she comprises a  list of ideas to include in this rich, Biblical study. Incorporating her ideas easily makes this study multi-disciplinary by exploring geography, history, math, genealogies and so much more!

paint a Crown of Thorns for Easter

Crown of Thorns Art Lesson

A few simple colors is all you need for the Crown of Thorns. Nana shows you how to paint the crown of thorns by using a weaving technique. This lesson has served as a reminder of the pain and mocking he endured before he went to the cross. “When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’” Matthew 27:29

You ARE an ARTiST offers Easter activities perfect for tweens and teens and suitable for all ages

Three Crosses on Calvary Art Activity

Join Tricia as she recreates the three crosses on Calvary with a majestic Easter sunrise. This simple art lesson is a beautiful reminder of Christ crucified and everything Jesus endured on the cross for our sins.

“There they crucified Him two others on each side and Jesus in the middle.”

John 19:18
You ARE an ARTiST offers Easter activities perfect for tweens and teens and suitable for all ages

The Stone Rolled Away Art Lesson

The heavy stone has been rolled away! Paint “sunbursts of joy” shining from an empty tomb. This beautiful scene portrays Jesus’ resurrection and the conquering of death! Hallelujah! The Stone Rolled Away Clubhouse “so they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy…” Matthew 28:8

Interested in More Easter art lessons?

Here are even more Easter art activities perfect for your tweens and teens:

  • Easter Lily
  • Palm Branch
  • Easter Cross
  • The Garden of Gethsemane -this one is wonderful for Good Friday
  • Jesus Washed Disciples Feet
  • The Last Supper
  • Rainbow Cross

“But the angel answered and said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”

Matthew 28:5

Looking For More Engaging Activities For Tweens and Teens?

In Julie’s post, she explains step by step how to draw your way through the Resurrection Story. Julie includes Bible verses to complement the paintings, hymns, and ideas to engage your child and make this special time memorable with art!

Interested in a hymn study? Dawn shares hymns perfect for Resurrection Day and art that pairs so gorgeously with those wondrous, life-giving words.

If you are ready to start planning for your Easter art lessons, join Courtney as she provides resources and tools to make this special time memorable with your children of all ages!

These Beautiful Easter Nature Studies are another fun and hands on way to celebrate the resurrection!

Picture Books for Easter

I love the beauty of weaving Biblical art with our Bible stories. The Easter art with Nana provides such rich visuals to complement all of the books. Here are a few favorites:

God Gave Us Easter

God Gave Us Easter in another stunning picture book by Lisa Tawn Bergren! In this story, Little Cub and Papa Bear explore the meaning of Easter. Papa Bear shares our need for a Redeemer explaining Noah’s Ark, the sweet forgiveness Jesus gives, and how our beloved Savior keeps His promises. The soft colored, beautiful illustrations are by Laura J. Bryant.

The Easter Storybook

The Easter Storybook by Laura Richie (a homeschooling mom) is a wonderfully written and illustrated book describing who Jesus is. This picture book contains 40 Bible stories beginning with Jesus in the temple, Luke 2 and ending with Jesus sharing with His beloved disciples, that He is with us always, Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; and Acts 1. The 40 stories are short with beautiful illustrations by Ian Dale.

An Easter Basket Filled With Love

An Easter Basket Filled With Love Sharing the Joy and Grace of Jesus by Susan Jones. There is a special countdown, a countdown that awaits an Easter celebration. The animals of the forest set out carefully decorated baskets, and the entire village fills the baskets with gifts of love! Duckling awakes to one day left to this special Easter celebration. But Duckling’s day isn’t the best day she’s ever had. She left her homework out in the rain, expresses her words in a way that hurts her friends’ feelings, and doesn’t complete the task her mom asks of her. Duckling’s momma encourages her to pray and talk to God, then inspires her to place her basket out for the celebration. Because of the outcome of her day, she doesn’t think anyone will want to fill her basket. Duckling is quite surprised the next morning at the Easter celebration and learns a little bit more about Jesus and His grace.

An Easter Gift From Jesus: His Love Lifts Us Up

An Easter Gift from Jesus His Love Lifts Us Up by Susan Jones. The signs of spring are making its arrival, and Little Owl knows Easter is on its way! Little Owl’s forest friends decide to gift Jesus with a hot air balloon. They work together to make this wonderful gift. While putting together Jesus’s gift, the forest friends run into challenges. They are reminded of the internal- “It’s not how fancy the balloon is- it’s what’s inside that counts.” Susan Jones. An Easter picture book by Forest of Faith books that brings the gentle reminder of how we need Jesus’s love!

You ARE an ARTiST offers Easter activities perfect for tweens and teens and suitable for all ages

Nana has so many valuable Easter art lessons. Each one is appreciated as they reach beyond the surface of our children’s hearts and minds. Art has a way of slowing us down. Art encourages us to relish in the beauty of colors, and inspires creativity. I hope this Easter brings you joy as our Savior’s death and resurrection is remembered with reverence and awe.

Jamie Gault

Jamie is the author of A Brown Bear’s Language Arts Study, a literature-inspired homeschool mom of eight, and a former educator. She enjoys a bookshelf bursting with colorful picture books  and children’s stories of all genres. Indulging in a read aloud with all of her children around her is one of Jamie’s favorite moments of her days. Be sure to find Jamie on Instagram and visit her blog, Treasuring the Tiny Moments Homeschool, to be encouraged by all her learning adventures with her wonderful family.

Posted on

Bible Crafts For Kids: Meaningful and Fun Resources

A really fun way to bring the Bible to life in your homeschool is with these Bible crafts for kids. You can build memories, pass on your faith to your children and create hands on art projects that are meaningful and fun!

A really fun way to bring the Bible to life is with these Bible crafts for kids. You can build memories, pass on your faith and create hands on art projects that are meaningful and fun!

Teaching Children About The Bible Should Be Fun

There are so many benefits to taking an art-based approach to learning about the Bible. Whether you are teaching Bible in your homeschool as a daily or weekly lesson, or perhaps you are creating a church-at-home experience for your family, you will love how effective it is to add art along with your Biblical teachings.

Art can open the door to learning and add depth to an understanding of the Bible. Listening to a Bible story while creating a Bible craft with art is a really fun way to help remember something you are learning.

Teaching children about the Bible should be fun!

Bible Crafts For Kids: Everything You Need To Get Started

Did you know you can craft Bible Art with Nana? Yes! Learning with art is simple because all you need to get started is a starter set of chalk pastels, construction paper and our video art lessons. Having baby wipes or a slightly damp paper towel is recommended for easy clean up.

In addition, our You ARE an ARTiST Clubhouse members enjoy an accompanying I Drew It Then I Knew It companion guide for each of the set of art lessons listed below! Each guide includes an overview of each Bible topic with the Bible reference, a list of books and extension ideas like tea time, unit studies and art shows.

Old Testament Bible Stories crafts for kids
Moses and the Parting of the Red Sea art lesson – Photo by Jamie of Treasuring the Tiny Moments Homeschool


Old Testament Bible Video Art Lessons

“God left us a book filled with incredible stories to share with our children, so why not go all out? I want my children to hear the amazing things God has done, and it leave an impression on them for life, just as it did for me.” Enjoy How to Plan an Awesome Home Bible Study for Kids by Courtney.

  • Creation
  • Garden of Eden
  • Noah’s Ark
  • Joseph’s Coat of Many Colors
  • Parting the Red Sea
  • Ark of the Covenant
  • David and Goliath
  • Esther
  • Daniel in the Lion’s Den
  • Jonah and the Whale – with more, exclusive lessons for members

Free Bible Craft for Kids – Sample Old Testament Bible Story Art Lesson

For a fun way to incorporate Bible crafts for kids, give this sample lesson from Nana’s Bible Stories series a try!

Suggested supplies: yellow or other light colored construction paper. Starter set of chalk pastels. Baby wipes or slightly damp paper towel for easy clean up.

If you enjoy this art lesson, please share a photo and tag us on social media! @chalkpastelart on Instagram

New Testament Bible Art Lessons

“Yes, reading straight from the Bible with our family is fantastic! But it doesn’t hurt to add resources that visually stimulate our children. Visuals are excellent teaching tools for children of all learning styles. It also doesn’t hurt to tie in hands-on experiences that will help them never to forget. We can help bring the Bible to life as they hear the retellings. 

For that reason, I am beyond thrilled to share with you the ultimate Bible story companion. Art. How to Plan an Awesome Home Bible Study for Kids by Courtney. 

  • Jesus Blesses the Children
  • Zacchaeus
  • Jesus Walks on the Water
  • Jesus Feeds the 5,000
  • Garden of Gethsemane
  • Jesus Washes the Disciples Feet
  • The Last Supper
  • Paul and Silas Jail Earthquake
  • I Stand at the Door and Knock and more lessons for Clubhouse members.

A really fun way to bring the Bible to life is with these Bible crafts for kids. You can build memories, pass on your faith and create hands on art projects that are meaningful and fun!

Disciples of Christ Art Lessons with Nana

Homeschooling is such a unique privilege for Christian families, and it is such a sweet blessing to pass along the Word of God to our children. We have, as parents, an incredible opportunity to mold our children into disciples for Jesus, and educating at home is a powerful tool for that. And what better way to experience personal discipleship with our children at home than to study the Disciples of Christ. 

Enjoy a full Disciples of Christ Unit Study for your homeschool with Jesus, history, character, prayer, geography, genealogy, language and math!

We have also included Biographies of the Disciples and 5 Fast Facts for them all in our I Drew It Then I Knew It New Testament Companion Guide for your family to enjoy. Inside the Companion Guide, you can plan your studies with our art planners and use our book recommendation list to get started. 

You can even tie in The Chosen TV series with these lessons!

A Simple Start in Hebrew art lessons Bible learning

A Simple Start in Hebrew Video Art Lessons with Nana and her Grandson

A Simple Start In Hebrew: Learn seven basic Hebrew words with A Simple Start in Hebrew Video Art Lessons. Why would you want to learn Hebrew? Because many Biblical words have roots in the Hebrew culture. With You ARE an ARTiST Clubhouse membership, you will get the Companion Guide to these art lessons packed with Aleph-Bet chart, word studies, traceable letter printables, and much more. 

  • Day
  • Peace (Full Moon)
  • Faith
  • Prayer
  • Hallelujah
  • Commandment
  • Israel
Easter Art Lessons - Bible Crafts for Kids

Easter Art Lessons – Draw Your Way Through the Resurrection Story

You can use these art lessons in your homeschool to draw through the Resurrection story and to teach the Easter story in a colorful and memorable way.

These are all accompanied by a Companion Guide too! So you will get the book list, planners, overviews, fast facts, and more. 

  • Palm Branch 
  • The Lord’s Supper 
  • Crown of Thorns 
  • Calvary’s Crosses 
  • Easter Cross 
  • The Stone Rolled Away
  • Easter Eggs 
  • Easter Lily 
  • Church Stained Glass Window 
  • Jesus and the Sheep

Christmas Bible Crafts for Kids – Draw Your Way to the Birth of Jesus

Add these Advent art activities to your Christmas Homeschool plans! You can draw your way through the story of Christmas from the angels announcing Messiah’s birth to the manger scene. Draw Your Way Through the Story of Christmas by Courtney.


Inspiring Art And Music Activities For Additional Learning

In addition to Nana’s Bible crafts for kids, her online hymn video art lessons are a wonderful way to celebrate these rich songs of the Christian faith.

A really fun way to bring the Bible to life is with these Bible crafts for kids. You can build memories, pass on your faith and create hands on art projects that are meaningful and fun!

Growing a love of art at You ARE an ARTiST is a multi-generational passion! Tricia is Nana’s daughter and a mama of five children. Nana shared the fun of her first chalk pastel art lessons with her grandchildren around Tricia’s kitchen table. Homeschooling since 2000, Tricia has seen the fruits of home education with three homeschool grads so far! She shares the art and heart of homeschooling at Your Best Homeschool and is author of the book, Help! I’m Homeschooling! She and her husband, Steve, are also owners of sister sites Homeschool Nature Study and The Curriculum Choice.

Posted on

How To Plan An Awesome Home Bible Study For Kids

Home Bible Study for Kids

Do you remember learning about the Bible as a child? I do. I still remember powerful Bible stories like David and Goliath or Jesus walking on water from hearing them at five years old. These stories stuck with me forever. 

As Christian parents, we want this for our children too. We want them to hear stories of the Bible and be amazed. I hate to admit that we can occasionally share these stories and lack the child-like awe to make them come alive. And the truth is, we should present the Bible to our children with excitement, wonder, and honor. 

God left us a book filled with incredible stories to share with our children, so why not go all out? I want my children to hear the amazing things God has done, and it leave an impression on them for life, just as it did for me. 

Many of these stories impacted my mind and memory because they were presented to me using creative visual tools and delivered by a good storyteller. 

Yes, reading straight from the Bible with our family is fantastic! But it doesn’t hurt to add resources that visually stimulate our children. Visuals are excellent teaching tools for children of all learning styles. It also doesn’t hurt to tie in hands-on experiences that will help them never to forget. We can help bring the Bible to life as they hear the retellings. 

For that reason, I am beyond thrilled to share with you the ultimate Bible story companion. Art. 

Whether you are teaching Bible in your homeschool as a daily or weekly lesson, or perhaps you are creating a church-at-home experience for your family, you will love how effective it is to add art along with your Biblical teachings.

Ideas for Planning an Awesome Home Bible Study for Kids - Art, History, Nature, Bible and more! #Bibleforkids #Biblestudyforkids #Bible #art #homeschoolart #homeschool

I Drew It Then I Knew It Bible Series Companion Workbooks

I am also thrilled to announce another new I Drew It And I Knew It Companion Workbook – New Testament Series! If you haven’t heard yet, we are adding these excellent companion workbooks to all of our I Drew It And I Knew It Series.

The workbooks include planners, book recommendation lists, fact sheets, overviews, or biographies to help you make the most of your learning time together! No hunting down all of the right resources. Our companion workbooks do the work for you so you can spend more time learning alongside your children. The best part, they are included in the Complete Clubhouse Membership!

Home Bible Study for Kids – Tips & Ideas 

Sometimes, we parents think if laughing and fun are included, it can’t be educational. But, the truth is, if we make learning about Jesus engaging, our kids will enjoy it enough to keep trying. 

Have you ever tried to teach your children something super dull? If you aren’t excited, neither are they. But, when you share something with an activity, like art, and deliver it with some passion…sparks! Right? 

If you don’t know what I am talking about, try it. See how your children react differently when you create an experience or make it more fun with hands-on activities. Art has that effect on kids. 

Here are a few ideas to help you maximize your teaching efforts:

Bible Tea Time with Art: (Or, you might enjoy Bible, coffee, and art if you have teens.)

We are big advocates of tea time here at You ARE An Artist. You can elevate any lesson at home by adding tea and treats. Kids love the extras and will look forward to each time you tell them you are doing an art tea time. 

Connecting with your teens can sometimes be a challenge, but try a coffee date at home with the Bible and art! It may take a few minutes to ease into it, but art is therapeutic, and the mental health benefits are great for teens. By the way, did you know your teens can earn an art credit with chalk pastels?

Home Bible Study for Kids

Create a Church-at-Home Experience:

If church-at-home is more your speed, you could make Sundays awesome! It could be a family experience to draw a Bible story altogether each Sunday for church-at-home. 

Luckily, You ARE An Artist includes the whole family, children of all ages through adults. Grandma and grandpa would probably love an invitation to participate. Church-at-home could be as simple as this:

  • Tell your children a Bible story while they have some snacks or tea time.
  • Do an art project together.
  • Follow that up with fun kids worship music. Seeds Family Worship has some beautiful songs to help kids memorize scripture while worshipping as a family. 
  • Close with prayer. 
Home Bible Study for Kids

Create a Homeschool Bible Study Routine:

You could spread the Bible lesson out over the week if you homeschool and want to break it down into digestible chunks each day. Here is an example – 

Monday, read the Bible story. 

Tuesday, do scripture memorization orally.

Wednesday, do scripture memory copy work. 

Thursday, ask your children to narrate the Bible story back to you aloud. 

Make Friday a day to look forward to, and execute a fun art lesson that compliments the Bible story you shared. 

Home Bible Study for Kids

With Our I Drew It Then I Knew It New Testament Series, Your Family Can Paint:

  • Jesus Blesses the Children
  • Zacchaeus
  • Jesus Walks on the Water
  • Jesus Feeds the 5,000
  • Garden of Gethsemane
  • Jesus Washes the Disciples Feet
  • The Last Supper
  • Paul and Silas Jail Earthquake
  • Behold, I Stand at the Door and Knock

And that is just the New Testament! We have an Old Testament Series too. 

Home Bible Study for Kids

I hope the wheels turn as you think of creative ways to incorporate the Bible at home with your kids. There is no right way to do home Bible study for kids. Do what works best with your family rhythm. 

If you are wondering how you can get started, it’s easy! All you need is a Complete Clubhouse Membership here at You ARE An Artist, an affordable set of chalk pastels and computer or construction paper.

Courtney is a Jesus-pursuing, native Texan, homeschool mom of three, and she believes homeschooling can be a peaceful and productive rhythm. At Grace, Grow & Edify she helps families create peaceful homeschooling atmospheres through faith, organizational strategies, and cultivating strong roots at home. She is also the founder of Homeschool Mastery Academy.