Esther reflective colouring sheet
You will need: printouts of the colouring sheet (available from the resource section of the Premier Childrenswork website) and felt-tip pens, pencils or crayons
Colouring sheets are currently very popular as a meditation tool, both for adults and children. This colouring sheet is based on the famous verse from Esther in which she is told that perhaps she has been made queen for ‘such a time as this’ (Esther 4:14). The idea with these sheets is to let the children colour and reflect on the story they have heard, the images and words on the page, or just to let their minds wander with God. When they have finished colouring, leave time so the children can share and discuss any reflections they might have had.
Finding strength door hangers
You will need: wool, PVA glue, greaseproof or waxed paper, string and at least 24 hours!
This craft is very messy, requires some patience and is very effective for exploring the strength Esther needs and that God can give. The wool is given strength to hold its shape by the PVA glue. Cut lengths of wool and dip them in PVA. Cover the strands quite thickly. Arrange the wool in patterns on top of the greaseproof paper. You might wish to make crosses or any other symbol that resonates with the children. Make sure that each strand of wool connects with at least one other so that they will stick together when the glue dries.
Now wait at least 24 hours for your artwork to dry. The wool will stiffen and be fixed in the design you created. After a day’s drying time, carefully pull the wool off the paper and thread some string through the top of the design so that they can be hung in windows or from door handles.
Loving hearts paper plate sewing
You will need: paper plates, scissors, wool, a pen, some form of soft worktop protection (such as cork mats or blobs of BluTack) and plastic tapestry needles
This is a colourful way to explore the theme of Esther’s love for her people and for Mordecai. It might also help children to reflect on the people they love
Fold the paper plate in half and draw half a heart at the middle fold. Cut the shape out and open the plate up so that you can see the whole heart. Lay the plate on whatever you have provided to protect the work surface and poke a pen through the plate, all the way around the cut out heart. When you have finished, the heart should be surrounded by little holes that you can pass a tapestry needle in and out of. Leave a wide margin between the heart shape and the holes or the paper might tear when you come to sew.
Thread a tapestry needle with wool and sew though the holes in any order to make a colourful, criss-cross heart. Reflect on Esther’s love for her people in the story and encourage children to use colours of wool that reflect the people they love and those who love them.
Under-5s | Esther’s crown
You will need: foam sheets cut into crown shapes, other foam shapes or offcuts, glue sticks and two pipe cleaners per crown
This craft will help children to think about Esther’s royal position and to express what they think of her character.
Poke a hole at one side of the crown shape, then thread through and secure a pipe cleaner. Repeat on the other side so that it looks as if the crown has pipe cleaner ‘handles’. Ask children to make a crown for Esther by decorating it with foam shapes and offcuts, or any collage materials you have available. Encourage them to use colours and shapes they think she would have liked after hearing her story. You might be fascinated by what they tell you! Use the pipe cleaners to form the back section of the crown, and tie or twist them together to fit the crowns to each child’s head.
