Welcome to our Jesus Calms the Storm page! Here you'll find fun and engaging activities, Bible verses, and songs to help preschoolers learn about the amazing story where Jesus calms a raging storm with just His words. These resources will help children understand how Jesus has the power to bring peace, no matter how big or small the storm in their lives may be.
Scripture: Matthew 8:23-27
The New Bible in Pictures for Little Eyes: pg 276
The Beginner's Bible: pg 334
My Story Bible: pg 86-87
Through the Bible Felt: pg 183-184
Shorten the verses as appropriate for the child's developmental level.
When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God whose word I praise.
Mark 4:39 (NIV)
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
Psalm 107:29 (NIV)
He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.
Matthew 8:26 (NIV)
He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
John 14:27 (NIV)
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Psalm 46:1 (NIV)
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Matthew 14:27 (NIV)
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
Mark 4:40 (NIV)
He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
Psalm 23:4 (NIV)
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
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.
Do you desire to parent or teach children the way that God desires? Watch this 3-part series to acquire the tools to build a solid foundation of biblical discipline for your family or classroom.
Sheet available in the Bible Activity Workbook
Glue torn pieces of tissue paper
Paint the water with shaving cream and blue food coloring.
Imagine sitting with the disciples on a boat and a storm comes. Have the child help you create the storm by following your lead. Add this activity to a Family Night for more fun!
1. Slowly rub fingertips together (wind coming)
2. Slowly rub hands together (wind getting heavier)
3. Quickly rub hands together (wind getting stronger)
4. Slowly snap fingers (raindrops coming) - This is a very difficult task for a preschooler but the child will have fun trying!
5. Quickly snap fingers (heavy rain)
6. Clap hands (thunder)
7. Clap and then immediately hold hands up with spread fingers and strike downward (lightning)
8. Quickly tap thighs (very hard rainfall)
9. Repeat in reverse order (storm gradually calming down)
For Family Use: Jesus Calms the Storm
Remember to use crayons, colored pencils, or paint, but not markers on all worksheets. Learn more...
Trade off acting parts for the wind, the rain, Jesus, and the disciples. Make sure that the "wind" and "rain" stop immediately when Jesus tells them to. For more fun attach different shades of blue streamers to a large craft stick. Wave the streamers in the air while reading the story.
Help the children understand the waves in the sea with a parachute. Have the children hold the edges of a parachute or large sheet. Place a ball or toy boat in the middle of the parachute. Explain that they’re going to pretend that the boat is the disciples in the storm. Encourage them to shake the parachute to make waves, lifting it higher and lower to simulate the stormy sea. Then, tell them to stop shaking the parachute to show how Jesus calmed the storm. Discuss how Jesus has the power to bring peace, just like He calmed the storm for His disciples. Note: It is important that the children understand how to immediately stop and are prepared to obey for this activity to be successful.
Help your little ones learn their colors with these vibrant, fun flashcards—perfect for preschoolers! Click the link below to download your free set today and start learning through play.
Fill a jar or bottle with water, blue food coloring, glitter, and a bit of oil. Shake the jar to simulate a storm. Discuss how the storm was wild, but when Jesus spoke, everything became calm, just like the water and glitter settle down when you stop shaking it.
Create sound maracas by filling empty pill bottles, plastic Easter eggs, or water bottles with different materials like rice, beads, or sand. Alternatively, you can use store-bought egg shakers or maracas. Shake them to make storm noises, then talk about how Jesus can calm the storm with His words, just like the noise stops when we become quiet.
Create a sensory bin with blue-colored water, foam (for waves), and small boats or figurines of Jesus and the disciples. You may also use shaving cream with blue food coloring on a jelly roll pan. Children can play with the scene, reenacting how Jesus calmed the storm.
This Bible story is a great way to explore weather with children. Take the child outside on a calm day and discuss how peaceful the weather is. If it's stormy, talk about the thunder, lightning, and rain. Explain how Jesus is sovereign and has the power to control all aspects of the weather.
This story is free for family use only and may not be used in any form in a non-family situation. A script of this story for non-family use is available in the New Testament Curriculum, 1 Year Interactive Bible Stories, and 3 Year Interactive Bible Stories.
Water board
7 – Jesus
83 – Men in boat
172 – Dark Cloud
182 – Waves
184 – Lightning
Have on the board – 83
Have in order – 172, 182, 184, 7
For Family Use: Our story today is going to be filled with worry (demonstrate a worried face including placing your fingertips to your mouth) and amazement (demonstrate an amazed face). Can you show me a worried face? How about an amazed face? I want you to listen to our Bible story very carefully. Every time that you hear those two words, I want you to show me the correct face.
Jesus spent much of His time teaching, preaching, and healing the sick. He and the disciples had had a long day. After a long day do you get tired? Just like we get tired, Jesus was tired and needed to rest. In Luke 8:22-25 (show the passage in the Bible), Jesus told His disciples, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake.” As they were sailing, Jesus fell asleep.
Suddenly dark clouds filled the sky. A strong wind began to blow. Whooo…. The waves grew tall and taller, slamming against the side of the boat. Smash! Crash! The disciples started to worry. Show me a worried face. They were scared because they knew the boat would soon sink if this storm didn’t stop.
“Jesus! Jesus!” the disciples screamed. But, the storm was so loud. “Jesus! Wake up! Save us! We are going to drown!” Can you hear how worried the disciples were?
Jesus said, “Why are so worried and afraid? You have so little faith.”
Then Jesus stood up and said to the storm, “Wind, be quiet. Waves, peace!” Immediately the storm stopped. The dark clouds disappeared (remove clouds). The water calmed (remove waves).
The disciples looked at each other in amazement. Show me a face of amazement. The disciples started talking among themselves. “Who is this man? Even the wind and waves obey Him. We are amazed at what Jesus can do!”
Do you get scared and worry about storms? Sometimes we worry about what will happen. Instead of worrying, we can pray to Jesus or sing a Bible verse song to remind us that Jesus will help us. Remember, Jesus can do amazing things!
