Acting out a story in pretend play, whether it's a Bible story or a story in general, helps children comprehend what they've heard or read. Pretend play helps them to identify with the characters, understand the setting of the story, and remember the action and sequence of events.

 

Using Bible costumes and props for pretend play is an effective way to help your children remember Bible stories and history.

 

Both young children, aged 4 to 8, and older children, aged 9 to 12, can enjoy acting out Bible stories. Younger children may need help preparing to act out a story. Older children often enjoy working independently and can usually come up with their own ideas.

 

Here are some ways you can introduce Bible costumes and pretend play to your children, to help them remember the Bible stories they've read.

Whatever age group you're working with, you will want to have an accurate biblical account of they're going to act out. For older children, you can read the story straight from your own Bible. For younger children, use a picture book or a children’s Bible that maintains scriptural accuracy with kid friendly language. If you're working with younger children, choose simple stories that are easy for them to follow. For example: Adam and Eve banded from Eden, Joseph receiving the coat of many colors, David slewing the giant, three wise men finding Jesus, blind man gaining his sight. As you look through Scripture no doubt others will jump out at you.

You will also need some Bible costumes. You can buy ready-made costumes, but you could also build your own collection by visiting your local thrift shop, browsing weekend yard sales, or going through your closets.

 

Here are some common items that transform easily into Bible costumes you might like to have on hand for pretend play:

Bathrobes used for cloaks. Long dresses for tunics. Old skirts cut down one seam make interesting capes. Head coverings made from pillow cases. Jewelry of all types. Belts, scarves and shawls for modest accessories. A plastic crown for a king or queen to wear. Also, these fun Nomad props are easy to find. Old table clothes, and bed sheets can be used to make tents. Decorative boxes, and pitchers as household items. Two towels sewn together with batting placed inside makes for a good sleeping mat. And the list could go on.

 

When you're ready to introduce Bible costumes and pretend play to your children, one way to begin is by decorating a box large enough to hold your Bible story book or video of the account, your Bible costumes and props that go with the story. Put the costumes, props and story inside the box.

 

Give your children some clues about the story they're going to read or watch. Let them go through the box and dress up in costumes to suit the story you described. When they're ready, read the story from your Bible or picture book. Then have the children act out the story.

 

You could also use this activity as a two-part lesson. For lesson one, read the account from the Bible or picture book, then act out the story. During the next lesson, watch a video about the story then act out the movie.

 

Once your children have discovered the fun of dressing up and acting out Bible stories, you can explore other ways of using pretend play in your Bible lessons.

 

One activity is to have a narrator tell a Bible story. Have the children dress in costumes and do the actions the narrator describes. Older children often enjoy writing their own script of a story, then rehearsing it and performing for an audience. You can read the Bible account to the children first, and then have them write their own script and assemble their own costumes.

 

Another activity older children enjoy is reading a Bible story on their own, and then dressing up and performing it for audience. The audience has to guess which story they're watching!

 

Adding pretend play to the Bible lessons you teach your children is very simple, and is a fun way to help your children remember the Bible stories you read together. Have fun with your children and enjoy teaching them God's Word for you are planting seeds of truth in their hearts.

May God bless you as you diligently teach His Word,

 

Author of "Plant the Word"
Co-Owner TrainUpChildren.com

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