Looking for fun ways to teach preschoolers the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000? This page is packed with Bible verses, hands-on activities, and creative ideas to make this miraculous story come alive for little hearts and minds. Dive in and explore how to teach this powerful lesson in a way young children will understand and remember!
Scripture: Matthew 14:15-23, John 6:1-14
The New Bible in Pictures for Little Eyes: pg 294
The Beginner's Bible: pg 357
My Story Bible: pg 90-91
Through the Bible Felt: pg 186
Shorten the verses as appropriate for the child's developmental level.
Matthew 19:26 (ESV)
But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.
Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.
Introduce your preschoolers to the God's love with our fun and engaging New Testament Curriculum. Filled with interactive Bible stories, play-based activities, and learning crafts, this Curriculum brings the teachings of Jesus to life in a way young children will understand and enjoy.
Sheet available in the Bible Activity Workbook
Paint
Cover your children, grandchildren, or students in prayer with this 31-day calendar of powerful Bible verses. Each day focuses on themes like wisdom, courage, love, and godly character, praying for spiritual guidance and strength for the next generation.
Eat goldfish crackers or Swedish Fish and crackers. See how many times you can break the "bread" and "fish." Would those pieces feed 5000 men? Discuss how everyone got enough to be full and not just tiny pieces.
Using play dough, have the child create two fish and five loaves of bread.
Pretend you are going to hear Jesus speak. Take a sack lunch and a blanket to sit on. Tell the Bible story while eating.
Lay one long piece of yarn out in a Christian fish symbol. Tell the child that you will make smaller fish from the big fish. Ask the child how that is possible? Cut the length of the yarn into smaller (3") pieces. Show how to make little fish from the large fish shape. Explain that this week you will be hearing about Jesus making lunch for more than 5,000 people with just two fish and five loaves of bread.
For Family and License Use: Feeding the 5000
Supplies: Dowel rod, string, and magnet
Card Stock paper, marker, scissors, contact paper, paper clips
Make a fishing pole with a dowel rod, string, and magnet. Make fish on various colors of card stock paper with a large paper clip for the mouth. Write individual letters or numbers on each fish. (Best to laminate or use contact paper.) Have your child “fish” for letters or numbers. You can also use magnetic refrigerator numbers and letters as fish.
Fill a plastic cup 1/4 full of water. Ask the child to predict what will happen if you turn the cup upside down. Demonstrate.
Fill the cup again and ask the child to predict what will happen if you place an index card (a little larger than the cup opening) over the cup and then turn the cup upside down (holding the card in place.) Demonstrate.
Now, ask the child to predict what will happen if you turn the cup upside down with the card on the top of the cup but with your hand removed. "Do you think it is impossible?" Slowly remove your hand from the cup. The water surface tension will hold the paper in place for a few seconds. Sometimes things look impossible to us. But we know from our Bible verse that "nothing is impossible for God."
Nurture a thankful heart in your children or students ages 3-12 with our 50-page Thanksgiving Activity Workbook! This updated workbook includes engaging activities tailored for both preschool and elementary-aged children, along with easy-to-follow scripts that ensure fun and meaningful experiences. Celebrate the spirit of Thanksgiving while creating lasting memories together!
Available in the New Testament Curriculum and 3 Year Interactive Bible Stories.
