Free printable Christian craft projects and activities for Vacation Bible School lesson plans.

Hello my Omschooligans! Teacher Omi here with some free printable Christian crafts and coloring pages to help plan Sunday school, Vacation Bible School (VBS), CCD or Children's Liturgy of the Word activities. If you're like me, you want something more than just Bible coloring pages for your Religious Education or Christian school lesson plans. Though having said that, I remember when I was about four and Sunday School was in a tiny room in a church basement and lessons were drawing Bible pictures with a big box of broken crayons. How Teacher Omi loved those old crayons. 

Using free printable Bible paper crafts as VBS lesson plans makes them more interactive. Children get to cut, assemble, paste, color and fold, practicing fine motor and scissors skills.  Here are free Christian printable crafts on an array of religious, Catholic, Christian and Bible themes-- Old Testament, New Testament, holy days, angels, virtues, scripture verses and much more. These sites have free printable Bible games, board games, puzzles, paper dolls, puppets, finger puppets and craft activities galore!

Resources for Support and Education

Here are the links. 

• Making Friends: A great resource for interactive, hands-on craft projects for children that can be used in educational settings. This site has free printable Bible crafts by the dozen. Some Sunday school activities are for purchase but many are free. 

• Free Kids Crafts: An extensive library of free printable Bible activities and VBS craft projects for various educational and religious themes. You'll find free Christian and Catholic printables and Bible craft projects plus Jewish activities and Torah crafts.  These will work in any religious education setting. Be sure to visit the homepage and use the "search" and "site map" function to explore the Bible craft projects available.  

• Christian Preschool Printables: Offers a wide assortment of free printable Christian crafts,  games, and lesson plans suitable for religious education and homeschooling. Activities are geared for preschool and older ages as well. You can find worksheets, calendars, lesson plans, board games, Bible card games, file folder games, felt board activities, crafts and more. I recommend that you bookmark this site and subscribe to the email newsletter. 

• A Kid's Heart: Features charming, educational resources and activities based on Christian principles and stories. Bible crafts are great for Sunday School and VBS activities but also for homeschooling or Christian school in general. Subjects like math and reading are covered with hands-on activities based on Bible stories. There are Bible word games, finger puppets, habitat dioramas, puzzles, mazes and more. 

From the Omschool Tree Fort

And now for some Bible story themed snack crafts and craft projects just for you from Teacher Omi!

VBS Snack Crafts

1. "Lion's Den" Graham Cracker Snacks:
   Use round Ritz type crackers or square graham cracker as the face. Pipe a circle of peanut butter (or sunflower butter) around the edge and press "mane" pieces (stick pretzels)—into the nut butter. Use candy any round candy for eyes, a chocolate chip nose and an apple slice mouth. You can cut little triangles in the apple to resemble teeth or just leave him smiling. 
2. "Noah's Ark" Animal Cracker Boats:
   Peel a banana and gentle press animal crackers along the side. Cut a little groove if it's easier, and place animals inside. The real ark didn't have sails but you can add them for fun if you wish, using fruit leather cut in triangles and attached with a toothpick or pretzels. Serve with the Rainbow Promise snack.
3. Rainbow Promise Fruit or Veggie Tray: Create a rainbow of cut fruit and/or vegetables. 
   

   
4. "Fisher of Men" Pretzel Rods:
   Give each child a container of blue or green yogurt. You can tint it with a little spirulina powder and it won't affect the taste. Place goldfish crackers on top with "fishing pole" pretzel sticks sticking out. 

Teacher Omi's VBS Crafts from Recycled Materials 







1. Cardboard Tube Angel Ornaments:
   Paint an empty toilet paper or paper towel tube white. Cut tube in two sections, one smaller and one larger. Cut the smaller one in half lengthwise to make two 3D semi-circle shaped pieces to use as wings. Tape to sides of larger piece. Attach them with a tape hinge (two tape pieces on either side folded L shaped to attach to body). Draw a face on a ping pong or Styrofoam ball and add yarn hair. Or for a truly recycled scrap angel, draw face directly on the side of the tall piece. Add arms and hands folded in prayer. Twist a small piece of aluminum foil and bend into a halo, leaving a small piece to attach to body. Cut a hole in a coffee filter and slip the angel body into it, for a "skirt." Glue or tape pieces together. (note image isn't quite right but AI doesn't understand what I mean. But I think you do. The tape piece attaches to the tall body tube and to the bottom of the wing piece. 
   
   
   
   
   
2. Egg Carton "Creation Story" Viewers:
   Cut the cups from a cardboard egg carton. Paint the bottom and add a small opening. Inside, create a small diorama scene (e.g., a sun, stars, animals) using cut-out magazine pictures or bits of fabric.
3. Newspaper "Stained Glass" Crosses:
   Cut a cross shape from a cereal box. Cut out the center leaving a thick border. Glue strips of colorful tissue paper or cut-up colored plastic bags across the opening to create a beautiful, translucent mosaic.

Free printable Bluey coloring pages, dog themed craft projects, snacks, books and lesson plans for a Bluey party

 Hello my Omschooligans! I'm a homeschool mom from way back and now I'm Teacher Omi (grandma) to 13 Omschooligan grandkiddos! In our Omschool, we love to explore, play and learn together in the Omschool Tree Fort! Why don't you join us for today's lesson plans and activities. The topic is (drumroll..) 

Bluey, an agreed on favorite character among the youngers of the family. Bluey Heeler and her sister Bingo, and mom and dad Bandit and Chilli are dogs who interact like humans in relatable situations. Let's enjoy a Bluey party with coloring pages, craft projects, craft snacks kids can make, games and of course, story time brought together in educational lesson plans. You are welcome to print and use these activities in your homeschool or non-profit school setting. 

Bluey Coloring Sheets

You can find a variety of free printable Bluey coloring pages and craft projects from several reliable sources:

• Bluey Official Website: This is the best place to start, as it offers a wide range of official coloring sheets, DIY craft projects, recipes, and even printable Bingo cards.

• Read Brightly: They provide a comprehensive "Read and Play" activity kit that includes crafts like a piggy bank, memory games, and paper masks, alongside various coloring sheets.

• Crayola: A trusted resource that offers high-quality, printable coloring pages featuring Bluey, Bingo, and other family members.

• Little Colorables: Features a collection of over 60 high-quality, free printable PDF coloring pages, including specific scenes like the Heeler family hugging or Bandit dancing.

• SketchJoy: Offers a curated list of printable PDFs focused on different poses, actions, and "best bud" scenes from the show.

• The Works: Provides thematic coloring sheets, including special collections like Halloween-themed outfits for the characters.

• Homemade Gifts Made Easy: Offers "inspired-by" coloring pages and helpful creative tips, such as how to turn colored pages into DIY invitations, banners, or cupcake decorations.

Most of these sites provide the designs as PDF files that are easy to print on standard A4 or letter-sized paper.

Teacher Omi's Earth-Friendly Tip 🌍

Print your Bluey coloring pages on the backs of recycled scrap paper. Set your printer on grayscale to save ink, money, and trees!

Bluey party craft snacks kids can make themselves

Making "puppy-themed" snacks is a fun, hands-on activity for kids that captures the playful spirit of Bluey! Here are two recipes that are perfect for little chefs, featuring a classic human-friendly version of "puppy chow" and simple, wholesome "dog-style" biscuits that are completely safe (and tasty!) for humans to eat, too.

Chex "Puppy Chow" (Muddy Buddies)

This classic, no-bake snack is a favorite because kids love the "shaking" step. While it's called puppy chow, it’s a sweet, crunchy treat made for humans.

Ingredients:

• 6 cups Rice Chex or Corn Chex cereal

• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

• 1/4 cup butter

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 1/2 to 2 cups powdered sugar

Instructions:

1. Melt: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter. Microwave on high for 1 minute, then stir. Continue in 30-second bursts until the mixture is completely smooth.

2. Flavor: Stir the vanilla extract into the melted chocolate mixture.

3. Coat: Place the cereal in a large bowl. Pour the chocolate mixture over the cereal and stir gently with a spatula until evenly coated (be careful not to crush the cereal!).

4. Shake: Pour the coated cereal into a large food-storage bag. Add the powdered sugar, seal the bag, and shake until every piece is well-dusted.

5. Cool: Spread on wax paper to cool before serving.

   
   
   

Dog biscuits pups and humans friends can enjoy

🐾 Teacher Omi's DIY Dog Biscuit Cutters

Instructions:

• Print the dog-themed cookie cutter images onto cardstock.
• For extra durability, glue the paper shapes onto recycled cereal box cardboard.
• Carefully cut out the shapes.
• Place your pattern on the dough and use a plastic knife to trace around the edges!

These biscuits use simple, wholesome ingredients. They are shaped like dog treats but use human-safe ingredients like peanut butter and oat flour. 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup oat flour (you can make this by pulsing rolled oats in a blender)

• 1/4 cup all-natural creamy peanut butter (ensure no xylitol is listed on the label)

• 1/3 cup water (add more if the dough is too dry)

• Optional: A pinch of cinnamon for extra flavor

Instructions:

1. Prep: Preheat your oven to 360°F (180°C).

2. Mix: Combine the oat flour and cinnamon in a bowl. Add the peanut butter and water, stirring until a dough forms. Knead with your hands until it sticks together.

3. Roll: Lightly flour your surface, roll the dough out, and use a cookie cutter (a bone shape is perfect!) to cut out your biscuits.

4. Bake: Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 10–12 minutes until crispy. Let them cool completely before eating.

Dog bone sandwiches

Weiner Dog: Put your favorite hot dog style or sausage link in a bun. Give him olive slice or mustard dot eyes. Tuck two triangle crackers, pretzels or tortilla chips on either side of his head, for ears. Draw a ketchup collar. Poke a pretzel in the end for a tail. Cut baby cucumber in slices. Make tiny triangle cuts for claws. Attach to bun bottom with mustard, for feet. You can use pickles too. Use mustard or shredded carrots to make "fur." 

Cool Dog: Repeat procedure substituting a cheese stick for the hot dog. 

Buried bones 

Give each child a 

• chocolate pudding cup
• Oreo to crumble for dirt
• gummy worms
• M&Ms for rocks
• small dog biscuit shaped cookie

Let them have fun burying their bones and then eating them! 

Teacher Omi's story corner

Round out your Bluey lesson plans with further recommended reading on books about dogs. This bibliography categorizes books about dogs for various reading levels and interests.

Classic Tales & Award-Winners

• "Lassie Come-Home" by Eric Knight: The iconic story of a loyal collie’s long journey to reunite with her family.

• "Old Yeller" by Fred Gipson: A timeless, bittersweet tale about a boy and his brave, stray dog.

• "Shiloh" by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor: A Newbery Medal-winning story about a boy who protects a mistreated dog.

• "Because of Winn-Dixie" by Kate DiCamillo: A heartwarming story about how a dog helps a young girl navigate life and make new friends.

• "The Incredible Journey" by Sheila Burnford: The classic adventure of two dogs and a cat traversing the wilderness to find their home.

• "101 Dalmatians" by Dodie Smith: An exciting original adventure story featuring a family of spirited dalmatians.

Picture Books (Preschool – Grade 3)

• "Biscuit" series by Alyssa Satin Capucilli: These gentle, heartwarming stories follow a sweet, yellow puppy who loves to explore and learn new things.

• "Spot" series by Eric Hill: These interactive lift-the-flap books feature the inquisitive and adventurous puppy, Spot, as he discovers the world around him.

• "Clifford the Big Red Dog" by Norman Bridwell: The beloved series about a giant red dog and his human, Emily Elizabeth.

• "Harry the Dirty Dog" by Gene Zion: A funny, classic story about a dog who hates baths and gets into mischief. (Teacher Opi--Grandpa's favorite)

• "Go, Dog. Go!" by P.D. Eastman: A simple, rhythmic, and entertaining book often used for beginning readers.

• "The Poky Little Puppy" by Janette Sebring Lowrey: A classic Little Golden Book about a curious puppy exploring the world.

• "Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy" by Lynley Dodd: A rhythmic, rhyming classic about a Skye terrier and his canine friends.

• "Can I Be Your Dog?" by Troy Cummings: A sweet, modern story about a homeless dog named Arfy who writes letters to potential families.

• "Gaston" by Kelly DiPucchio: A charming tale about a bulldog raised by a poodle family.

Chapter & Middle-Grade Books (Ages 8–13)

• "A Dog’s Life: The Autobiography of a Stray" by Ann M. Martin: A moving story told from the perspective of a stray puppy.

• "The Eyes and the Impossible" by Dave Eggers: A Newbery Medal-winning, art-centric tale told from a dog's witty, unique point of view.

• "I, Cosmo" by Carlie Sorosiak: A heartfelt story narrated by a golden retriever who tries to keep his family together.

• "Cracker: The Best Dog in Vietnam" by Cynthia Kadohata: A poignant story about a young soldier and his brave bomb-sniffing dog.

• "Ribsy" by Beverly Cleary: A humorous adventure about the antics of a boy and his dog in the mid-20th century. (Teacher Omi's FAVORITE from childhood!!)

Nonfiction & Activity-Based Books

• "National Geographic Kids: Everything Dogs" by Rebecca Baines: A fact-filled guide packed with canine information and photographs.

• "Dogs at Work: Good Dogs. Real Jobs." by Margaret Cardillo: A picture book exploring the many real-world jobs that dogs perform, from therapy to rescue work.

• "My Dog!: A Kids' Guide to Keeping a Happy and Healthy Pet" by various authors: A practical guide for children on how to care for a canine companion. 

  

✀ Recycle bin craft project: "Scrappy" the Puppy

This project focuses on using common household recyclables to create a cute, textured puppy.

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What You’ll Need

• Recycled Cardboard: Cereal boxes, shipping boxes, or toilet paper rolls.

• Adhesive: School glue, glue stick, or masking tape.

• Cutting Tools: Kid-safe scissors (or a plastic knife if using the biscuit template method).

• Color/Texture: Old magazines, scraps of colored paper, or markers.

• Optional: Bottle caps (for eyes), yarn scraps (for a tail).

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Steps for Little Creators

1. The Base: Take a cardboard toilet paper roll or a small rectangle of cereal box cardboard to act as the puppy's body.

2. The Shapes: Use your DIY Biscuit/Template method to trace and cut out two ear shapes, a tail, and four paw shapes from your scrap cardboard.

3. Assembly: Help the kids glue or tape the ears to the top and the tail to the back. Glue the paws to the bottom of the body base.

4. "Fur" & Decorating: This is the fun part! Let the kids tear up old magazines or construction paper into tiny pieces. Glue these "scraps" all over the body to create a colorful, textured "fur" coat.

5. Face: Use bottle caps for eyes, or draw them on with markers. You can even use a small scrap of paper to make a heart-shaped nose.

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Teacher Omi's Earth-Friendly Tip: When you're done, remember to collect all the tiny paper scraps that fell on the table and add them to your compost bin, or save them in a jar for your next collage project! 

Free printable pirate party craft projects, snacks, maritime activities and paper boat models

Hello my Omschooligans! Teacher Omi (grandma) here with some fun pirate themed craft projects, games, snacks and activities! The history of pirates on the high seas is fascinating as well as the story of the Jolly Roger flag (it was a submariners banner!) Why wait till International Talk Like a Pirate Day, September 19, when you can enjoy pirate fun in the sun now?  Here are free printable pirate crafts, pirate ship models, paper boats and pirate activities to kick off summer. 

So if you were wondering there really is a Talk Like a Pirate Day, there is. It was started in 1995 by Mark "Cap'n Slappy" Summers and John "Ol' Chumbucket" Baur. Personally, this author thinks it was just an excuse for two grown men to play dress up. You can, too with free printable pirate crafts, games and toys. And side-stepping the less savory aspects of pirate lore, this article includes lesson plans on navigation, maritime and marine and nautical lesson plans, too. That way teachers and home-school parents can indulge their inner pirate and call it educational. 

* Start with free printable Disney "Pirates of the Caribbean" coloring pages from Coloring Book Info. No Talk Like a Pirate Day is complete without a nod to POTC pirate crafts Not since "Treasure Island" have pirates been so in vogue. Johnny Depp gave a memorable and oft-imitated Capt. Jack Sparrow, but the best of all pirates is Geoff Rush as Barbossa. 

* Check out these free printable Jake and theNever Land Pirates coloring pages too.  And don't forget to grab your free printable Peter Pan coloring pages. Plus, tweens may want some Anime Pirate Fairy coloring pages. 

* Next, set sail for Boat-Links, subtitled "The Mother of All Maritime Links," and it's rightly named. The site is a comprehensive collection of hundreds of free printable sailing resources about nautical science, navigation, sailing, maritime history, merchant marine, the U.S. Navy, naval history in other countries, naval warfare, maritime museums around the world, nautical music and paper boats. 

*From there, cruise over to Celestial Navigation. Before modern navigation, pirates and sailors relied on the sky to guide voyages. Ancient instruments such as the sextant, astrolabe, cross-staff, quadrant, kamal (latitude hook) and nocturnal were indispensable. This site shows how to make ancient and medieval navigational tools. (Teacher Omi's personal favorite!)

* Boats, Ships and Subs has dozens of links for free printable paper boats and ship models. There are sailing vessels from all periods in history, including clipper ships, Chinese junks, Roman warships, Coast Guard boats, Viking long boats, pirate ship models and models of the Titanic and Thor Heyerdahl's Kon-Tiki. 

* Disney Experience has free printable nautical toys and pirate crafts from maritime-themed movies. There's a Spanish galleon, Capt. Nemo's Nautilus, Jack Sparrow's compass, dead man's chest, Cortez's treasure chest, a Mark Twain riverboat and several other models. 

* Raven's Blight has an awesome array of creepy free printable pirate ship models, ghost pirate ship models, paper boats and other printable steampunk crafts. Perfect for Talk Like a Pirate Day. 

* The Toymaker has a free printable puppet theater in which children can act out the adventures of Florimel the Magnificent. Florimel is a rabbit sailor who has adventures on the high seas in his "Golden Hind" inspired sailing ship. The youngest children can enjoy this for Talk Like a Pirate Day. 

* DL-TK  has free printable pirate crafts, party activities perfect for a pirate themed birthday party or just for fun boredom buster. 

From Teacher Omi's story corner

Here is a bibliography of children’s books about pirates, categorized by reading level and style to help you find the right fit for your readers.

Classic Adventure & Chapter Books

These are excellent for older children or as engaging read-alouds.

• Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson – The definitive pirate tale featuring the iconic Long John Silver and Jim Hawkins.

• Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie – A timeless classic featuring the infamous Captain Hook and his pirate crew in Neverland.

• The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi – A gripping tale of a young girl forced to survive on a ship where mutiny and pirates await.

• Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson – A modern, swashbuckling prequel to the Peter Pan story that is full of humor and adventure.

• Jack Plank Tells Tales by Natalie Babbitt – A creative and engaging story about a young man who struggles to find a trade, including his time spent as a pirate.

Picture Books (Fun & Humorous)

Perfect for younger children, these stories often lean into the "silly" side of pirate life.

• How I Became a Pirate by Melinda Long – A favorite among many, this story follows Jeremy Jacob’s hilarious adventures when he joins a band of pirates.

• Pirates Don’t Change Diapers by Melinda Long – The funny sequel to How I Became a Pirate, where the crew has to help babysit.

• Captain Flinn and the Pirate Dinosaurs by Giles Andreae – A creative mashup featuring a pirate crew made entirely of dinosaurs.

• Pirate Stew by Neil Gaiman – A whimsical, imaginative tale about what happens when you cook with a pirate.

• The Night Pirates by Peter Harris – A story about a group of "rough, tough, little girl pirates" who invite a boy to join their nocturnal adventure.

• Shiver Me Letters: A Pirate ABC by June Sobel – A fun, rhythmic way to learn the alphabet with a pirate theme.

Early Readers & Non-Fiction

These books are designed for beginning readers or those interested in "real" pirate facts.

• DK Readers L2: Pirate Attack! by Deborah Lock – A great non-fiction choice that introduces children to historical figures like Blackbeard with facts and photos.

• Magic Tree House #4: Pirates Past Noon by Mary Pope Osborne – A classic early chapter book that blends historical adventure with the popular series' time-travel theme.

• P Is for Pirate: A Pirate Alphabet by Eve Bunting – An accessible and fun alphabet book for young readers.

• Pirates Go To School by Corinne Demas – A lighthearted story that imagines what would happen if a group of pirates attended a classroom.

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Pro-tip for your students: If you are planning an activity or lesson around these, many of these books pair perfectly with "Talk Like a Pirate Day" activities or map-making craft projects, which are popular in educational settings!

Pirate Party Plunder: kid-made snack craft projects  

1. Apple Galleons

These "ships" are a fun way to combine a healthy fruit snack with a little bit of construction.

• Ingredients: Apples, pretzel sticks (or celery stalks), and cheese slices (or ham).

• Instructions:

  1. Slice an apple in half and scoop out the core to create a boat-shaped hull.

  2. Cut your cheese or ham into triangles to serve as sails.

  3. Thread the pretzel stick through the triangle "sail" and stick it firmly into the center of the apple hull.

2. Cannonballs (Chocolate Donut Holes)

A simple but classic treat that looks exactly like a pirate’s cannonball.

• Ingredients: Store-bought donut holes (chocolate ones work best) or brownie bites.

• Instructions:

  1. Place the donut holes in a dark-colored bowl to look like a pile of iron cannonballs.

  2. If you want to be extra creative, you can dip the donut holes in melted dark chocolate and let them set for an "iron" coating.

3. Seaweed Pinwheels

These savory wraps are great for a "pirate crew" lunch or heavy snack.

• Ingredients: Spinach tortillas (green color represents seaweed), cream cheese (or hummus), and deli turkey or sliced cheese.

• Instructions:

  1. Spread a layer of cream cheese or hummus over the green tortilla.

  2. Lay down your turkey or cheese slices.

  3. Roll the tortilla up tightly and slice it into small "pinwheel" rounds.

4. Pirate Treasure Salad

A colorful fruit salad that kids can assemble, and you can even hide "gems" inside.

• Ingredients: A mix of colorful berries, melon balls, pineapple chunks, and star-shaped marshmallows.

• Instructions:

  1. Toss all the fruit together in a bowl.

  2. Mix in the star-shaped marshmallows as "hidden treasure".

  3. For an extra pirate touch, serve the salad inside a hollowed-out orange or watermelon "chest."