Take a look at the Ten Commandments for Kids filled with easy-to-understand explanations, fun activities, and crafty ideas. Turn learning into a blast and get ready to dive into a world where ancient wisdom meets playful learning! This guide is your ticket to teaching the ten commandments a hefty dose of fun.
Diving right in, we’re exploring a topic near and dear to the heart: bringing the Ten Commandments to life for kids! These aren’t just ancient rules found in the Bible; they’re the building blocks for teaching respect, love, honesty, and integrity to our little ones. So, how do we take these timeless commands and make them click with the energetic, curious minds of today’s youth? With a dash of creativity, a sprinkle of engaging questions, and a whole lot of fun activities, we can guide our kids to not just understand but truly embody these principles in their everyday adventures.
In this blog post, we dive into the ancient wisdom found in the Bible, specifically the Ten Commandments from Exodus 20:1-17 (and Deuteronomy 5). Are you ready to discover how to make these biblical teachings spark excitement and insight? Perfect for parents seeking spiritual guidance, teachers on the hunt for vibrant lesson plans, or anyone eager to approach these teachings with a fresh, youthful vibe. We will break down these commandments in a way that’s easy for kids to understand. Then, we’ll explore fun and engaging ways to teach these timeless principles, including a hands-on printable activity.
Let’s take a look.
The Ten Commandments Story
The Old Testament story of Moses receiving the Ten Commandments is a key moment in the Bible, found in the book of Exodus. Here’s a concise version of the story:
The Call of Moses
Moses, once a prince of Egypt who fled to the land of Midian where he was called by God from a burning bush. God tasked him to lead the Israelites out of slavery in the land of Egypt.
The Exodus
After God performed miraculous plagues to compel Pharaoh to let the Israelites go, Moses led them out of Egypt. They crossed the Red Sea and journeyed into the desert towards Mount Sinai (also known as Mount Horeb).
Receiving the Commandments
At Mount Sinai, God called Moses to the top of the mountain. There, God gave Moses the Ten Commandments, laws that were meant to guide the moral and spiritual conduct of the Israelites. God’s good rules were written by God on two stone tablets.
The Purpose
The Ten Commandments were given as part of a covenant between God and the Israelites. They were meant to set the Israelites apart from other nations, guiding them in a life of righteousness and justice, and laying the foundation for their relationship with God. The commandments covered aspects of worship, personal conduct, and justice, aiming to create a harmonious society under God’s sovereignty.
This event is pivotal, symbolizing not just the legal and ethical foundation for the Israelites but also God’s direct intervention and care for His chosen people.
How do you explain the 10 Commandments to a child?
The Ten Commandments are a set of rules given by God to the people of Israel, meant to guide them in living a life that’s pleasing to God and respectful to others.
The Ten Commandments are found in Exodus 20:1-17.
The chapter begins,
“And God spoke all these words: ‘I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.'” (verses 1-2)
Here’s a simple breakdown of The Ten Commandments explained in simple terms for younger children:
1.) You shall have no other gods before Me.
First Commandment Bible Verse
“You shall have no other gods before me.” (verse 3)
Simple Explanation for Kids
Imagine you have a super special best friend who loves you more than anything. That friend is God. God asks us to make sure He is our number one buddy, our superhero. He doesn’t want us to think toys, games, or anything else is more important than Him. He loves us a whole bunch, and He wants us to love Him back the most. Just like when you have a favorite toy, but God wants to be even more special than that toy. God talks about this in a big book called the Bible, and even Jesus said it’s the most important rule: Love God more than anything else. (Matthew 22:37–38)
Practical Questions for Kids
- Is something more important to you than God?
- What do you think about first thing in the morning and last thing at night?
- How do we show God that He is special to us?
- Who do we talk to when we’re scared or worried?
This means we should only worship God and make Him the most important thing in our lives.
2.) You shall not make idols.
Second Commandment Bible Verse
“You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.” (Verses 4-6)
Simple Explanation for Kids
God tells us not to make things like idols of sports, toys, pictures, or statues and pretend they’re super special or magical, like pretending they can listen to us or help us like God can. It’s a bit like when we make a drawing or a Lego building, but we shouldn’t act like these things are as amazing as God. God is like our number one hero, and no superhero toy or movie character should take His place in our hearts. Sometimes, people make things and treat them like they’re super important, almost like they can do what God can do, but that’s not true. God is way more special than anything we can make.
Practical Questions for Kids
- Do I make idols of sports heroes or entertainment figures?
- Have I wanted more things making things or money more important than God?
- Do I have toys or have I made things that are more important to me than God?
We shouldn’t create or worship anything or anyone more than we do God, including toys, celebrities, or money.
3.) You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
Third Commandment Bible Verse
“You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.” (verse 7)
Simple Explanation for Kids
God’s name is very, very special, like a treasure. We should never use it in a mean, angry, or scary way. Sometimes, people might say God’s name when they’re surprised or upset, but that’s not nice or respectful. God’s name should only be used when we’re talking to Him, praying, or saying nice things about Him. Think of it as using your friend’s name kindly and with love. We shouldn’t pretend that God says it’s okay to do mean things. God’s name is for loving and kind words, not for being used in a bad way.
Practical Questions for Kids
- Do I use God’s name carelessly?
- Do I use God’s name in anger?
- Do I speak of God with respect and love?
- Have I ever used God’s name when I’m upset or frustrated?
- Do I remember to use God’s name only in a kind and honoring way?
- Am I careful with how I say God’s name in my conversations?
We should speak respectfully about God and use His name with care, not as a swear word or in a disrespectful way.
4.) Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Fourth Commandment Bible Verse
“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” (verses 8 – 11)
Simple Explanation for Kids
God has a special day called the Sabbath, and it’s like a rest day or a super special holiday for our hearts. It’s a day when we don’t have to do any work, like homework or chores, and instead, we get to relax, play gently, and think about how awesome God is. Just like after a long week of playing and learning, we take a day off to chill out, God did the same thing when He made the world. He worked for six days making everything, and on the seventh day, He took a big, relaxing breath. So, God wants us to have a special day every week to rest and remember Him, because resting is good for us and it’s a way to say “thank you” to God for all He does.
Practical Questions for Kids
- What special things do we do to make the Sabbath different from other days?
- How can we show that the Sabbath day is important to us?
- Do I take time to rest and think about God on the Sabbath?
- What activities do I avoid on the Sabbath to keep it holy?
- Do I look forward to the Sabbath as a day of rest and worship?
One day a week, we should rest and spend time thinking about God, similar to how we have a day off from school to relax.
5.) Honor your father and your mother.
Fifth Commandment Bible Verse
“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” (verse 12)
Simple Explanation for Kids
God wants us to be really good to the people who look after us, like our parents or guardians. Everyone has their own special way of showing respect and listening to them because they have lots of experience and can teach us how to stay safe and happy. When we are kind, listen, and help out at home, we are showing that we care. God says that being good to our caregivers helps make our lives better and the world a nicer place to live in. It’s a way of saying “thank you” to them and to God for giving us such great families and homes.
Practical Questions for Kids
- Do I obey my parents?
- Have I done my chores without complaining?
- Have I been disrespectful to teachers, leaders, coaches, or others in charge of me?
- Do I listen carefully when my parents are talking to me?
- What are some ways I can help my parents without being asked?
This means we should listen to our parents, respect them, and help out at home.
6.) You shall not murder.
Sixth Commandment Bible Verse
“You shall not murder.” (verse 13)
Simple Explanation for Kids
God tells us that it’s very important to always be kind to others and never hurt anyone on purpose. Everyone’s life is a special gift from God, and it’s not okay to take that away or decide when someone’s life should end. We should always use our words and actions to show love and care, not to make others sad or hurt. It’s like how we know it’s wrong to break someone’s toy, but it’s much, much more serious when it comes to hurting people. God wants us to protect each other and help everyone feel safe and happy.
Practical Questions for Kids
- Do I keep my patience or do I lose my temper?
- Do I hold grudges and try to get even with others?
- Have I been unfair to others, especially those who are different than I am?
- Why is life special and important to protect?
- How can we be a good friend and keep others safe?
We should never hurt others. This teaches us the importance of being kind and valuing everyone’s life.
7.) You shall not commit adultery.
Seventh Commandment Bible Verse
“You shall not commit adultery.” (verse 14)
Simple Explanation for Kids
God teaches us that when two people get married, they make a very special promise to always be there for each other and to share their love and life. It’s like promising a best friend, but even stronger. When you make a promise at a wedding, you are entering into a covenant, forever. God wants everyone to keep their promises, especially the ones made when getting married because those promises are very important. It helps everyone feel loved and safe, just like when you make a promise to a friend and you keep it, it makes your friendship stronger and happier.
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Practical Questions for Kids
- What does it mean to be loyal to someone?
- Do I show respect for my body?
- Do I respect the bodies of others?
- What does it mean to be committed to helping and caring for our family and friends?
- Why is it important to keep promises to our friends and family?
This is a rule for grown-ups, teaching them to be faithful to their spouses. For kids, it means we should be loyal and trustworthy friends.
8.) You shall not steal.
Eighth Commandment Bible Verse
“You shall not steal.” (verse 15)
Simple Explanation for Kids
God tells us that we shouldn’t take things that belong to someone else. Imagine if you had a favorite toy, and someone took it without asking; you’d feel sad, right? That’s why taking things without permission is not nice. God wants us to be happy with what we have and to ask if we need something, instead of just taking it. It’s important to share and to treat others the way we want to be treated, with kindness and respect.
Practical Questions for Kids
- Why is it wrong to take things that don’t belong to us?
- How would you feel if someone took something of yours without asking?”
- What should you do if you find something that doesn’t belong to you?
- Why is it important to ask for permission before using someone else’s things?
- How can we show respect for other people’s belongings?
- Have I “forgotten” to return something that I borrowed?
Taking something that isn’t yours, without permission, is wrong.
9.) You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
Ninth Commandment Bible Verse
“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.” (verse 16)
Simple Explanation for Kids
God teaches us that it’s really important to always tell the truth, especially about other people. Imagine if someone said you did something you didn’t do; that wouldn’t feel nice, would it? That’s why we shouldn’t make up stories or lies about others. Sometimes, it might be scary to tell the truth because we think we might get in trouble, but being honest is always the best choice. God wants us to be kind and fair, just like how we would want others to be truthful when they talk about us. Telling the truth helps everyone trust each other and keeps our hearts happy and clean.
Practical Questions for Kids
- What does it mean to tell the truth about others?
- How do you feel when someone tells a lie about you?
- How can telling lies about others hurt their feelings or cause problems?
- Why do you think God wants us to speak truthfully about our friends/neighbors?
- What can you do if someone asks you to keep a secret that involves lying about someone else?
We should always tell the truth and not lie about others.
10.) You shall not covet.
Tenth Commandment Bible Verse
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” (verse 17)
Simple Explanation for Kids
God tells us to be happy with the toys, games, and things we have, and not to be upset or jealous about what other kids have. Imagine if your friend has a really cool new toy, and instead of being happy for them, you feel sad or mad because you want it too. God wants us to learn to be thankful for our own things and to celebrate when our friends have nice things too. It’s like being happy with your slice of cake at a party and not being sad because someone else’s slice looks bigger or yummier. God loves it when we share joy and aren’t wishing for everyone else’s stuff.
Practical Questions for Kids
- What does it mean to be happy with what you have?
- Why is it important not to be jealous of others’ things?
- How can you celebrate someone else’s happiness or success?
- What are some ways to show gratitude for what we have?
- How does being thankful make us feel better?
We shouldn’t be jealous of what others have, whether it’s their toys, clothes, or anything else. Instead, we should be thankful for what we have.
How to Teach the 10 Commandments in a Fun Way
Teaching the Ten Commandments doesn’t have to be a solemn or tedious process. Teaching kids to remember these ten important rules is good, but guiding them to grasp the deeper meaning of loving and respecting God and everyone around us is even better and more crucial. By incorporating creative and interactive activities, kids can learn these valuable lessons in an engaging way.
Ten Commandments Printables
Turn that head knowledge, into heart knowledge when you provide these printable Ten Commandment crafts and activities. Here are two ideas to make learning fun:
1. Coloring Wheel Craft
The Ten Commandments coloring wheel is a fantastic hands-on activity.
Here’s how it works:
- Step 1: Kids will color both the top and bottom parts of the spinner wheel. This not only makes the craft visually appealing but also allows children to express their creativity.
- Step 2: After coloring, they’ll cut out the top and bottom of the wheel.
- Step 3: Finally, they connect the top and bottom pieces with a brass fastener, creating an interactive craft that they can spin to reveal each commandment.
This craft is not only a fun art project but also a practical tool for memorizing the Ten Commandments.
2. Writing Activity for Older Kids
For older children, challenge them to use their Bibles to write down the Ten Commandments in order using a Ten Commandment Worksheet.
Provide this Ten Commandments printable template for them to fill in, encouraging them to reference their Bibles. This activity reinforces their knowledge and understanding of the commandments, promoting both biblical literacy and handwriting practice.
3. The Ten Commandments Book
For younger kids, print the Ten Commandments Book PDF. The Ten Commandments Mini Book Craft is an excellent resource for engaging Christian kids with Bible lessons, whether at home, in the classroom, or during Sunday school at church.
This versatile Bible flipbook activity offers the option to print in vibrant full color for an instant, easy-to-assemble tiny booklet or in black and white outlines, allowing kids to add their personal touch by coloring their own.
4.) Los Diez Mandamientos Para Niños
We’re excited to offer a Spanish version of this Miniature Ten Commandments Flipbook Printable, making it accessible and enjoyable for Spanish-speaking Christian kids. This inclusion ensures that language is not a barrier to learning and engaging with these foundational Bible lessons.
Grab Los Diez Mandamientos Para Niños tiny book, perfect for bilingual families, Spanish Sunday school classes, Spanish outreach mission trips, and homeschool activities, this version allows a wider audience to benefit from this early-learning Bible activity, ensuring that more children can understand and cherish the Ten Commandments in their native language.
5) The Ten Commandments Coloring Sheet
Make learning the Ten Commandments a blast for your Christian kids with our engaging Comic Strip Coloring Activity! This Ten Commandments comic book will captivate young minds and foster creativity, this digital download offers 6 printable pages packed with interactive fun. Perfect for Sunday school, homeschooling, or an enriching family activity.
This set features three styles of the Ten Commandments tailored for different age groups: simplified ten commandments for younger children, presented on a comic strip, and left blank for personalization. Each style comes in both vibrant color and black-and-white, offering a total of 6 pages to cater to varying preferences and ages.
These resources are perfect for Christian schools, Sunday school classrooms, Bible studies, or family time. This printable craft and worksheet, both spinner wheel, coloring page, flipbook, and activity sheet, are a valuable resource for any lesson on the Ten Commandments.
By using these methods, teaching the Ten Commandments becomes a memorable and meaningful experience for children, laying the foundation for a lifetime of faith and moral integrity.
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More Children’s Church Resources
Ready for an adventure that’ll make your Sunday School the talk of the town? Dive into our latest blog post, where we unveil a treasure trove of Sunday School lesson ideas perfect for kids of all ages! From tiny tots to eager tweens, we’ve got creative, fun-filled activities that will bring Bible stories to life like never before. Whether you’re looking to craft Noah’s Ark, explore the wonders of creation, or embark on a quest with Moses, our ideas will spark imagination and faith in equal measure. Don’t miss out on the chance to transform your Sunday School into an exhilarating journey through the Bible. Also, visit our Sunday School Printable Shop.
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Last Updated on March 5, 2024 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living