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Article by Magriet Du Plessis

Bible story crafts like this “Fruit of the Spirit” collage are perfect for younger children. The K-2 group loves cutting and pasting and arranging things just how they want them. Easy kids crafts like this collage allow for all three.

Because the “Fruit of the Spirit” collage is such a satisfying activity for young children, it makes the Bible lesson all the more memorable. This fun and easy kids craft reinforces the memory verse: The “fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

What is a Collage?

The word “collage” is borrowed from the French “coller,” meaning “to glue.”Collage is a popular modern art from; however, it dates back to 200 BC China and first became popular in 10th century Japan.

A collage is an assemblage or fragments taken from items such as printed pictures, photographs, and text. Some collages also make use of found art (such as scraps of junk that are pleasing to the eye or help create the desired effects and may be anything from a buttons to a scrap of metal.) The artist arranges the pieces artistically and glues them to a support, such as a canvas, illustration board, poster board or even wood.

This Bible Story Crafts collage calls simply for pictures and text from magazines that illustrate the “Fruits and the Spirit.” However, it can be modified to include found art, such as a ribbon arranged in a heart shape. Much of the found art (like a river pebble I found perfectly shaped like a heart) can’t be adhered with the type of child safe glue used in this craft, so it’s best to reserve more complex collage for older children.

The main point is to encourage creativity so that the children have fun, while exploring an art form and remembering a Bible lesson.

“Fruit of the Spirit” Collage Supplies

Magazines Modge Podge or Elmer’s school glue. Paintbrush (medium sized)ScissorsSupport (illustration board or other thick background that the wet glue won’t warp). Paper towels

Directions for the “Fruits of the Spirit” Collage

Places several magazines on the table, and encourage children to look for pictures and words that remind them of the “Fruits of the Spirit.” For example, a person tenderly caring for a pet (kindness), someone holding a door open for a less abled person (goodness), hands held in prayer (faithfulness) etc. Children may also want to add a few pictures of fruit or fruit trees. Once each child has collected enough pages, have them cut out the parts of the pictures and words. Demonstrate the different ways this can be done, such as cutting around the outline of a person and cutting out letters that can be put together to make words such as “Joy” or simply a title “Fruits of the Spirit.” Let the kids be creative with this. Write the “Fruits of the Spirit” on the blackboard or hand out copies a paper with them printed. Optional: More artistic or scissor happy kids may even want to cut the background support into a shape of a fruit or tree. Have children arrange the pictures and letters on their supports. No glue should be used yet. Encourage them to experiment and allow them time to delete or add pictures (since the magazines will still be on the table.) This is also a good time for cooperation as children ask each other if they saw a picture such as one they are looking for. Now it’s time to glue. The glue or Modge Podge can be brushed onto the back of a picture or letter. Then as this is pressed down, smooth out air bubbles. Optional: Using the paintbrush and Modge Podge coat the entire surface to seal. Use a damp paper towel to wipe off any excess glue before it dries. After collages have dried, display and encourage children to show and tell.

Most children will want to do more collages after this activity. Variations you might try with other Bible lessons include found art collages and photomontages. Look for these upcoming easy kids crafts articles in our Kids Bible Crafts pages.

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