Connecting Kids with Jesus Via Coloring & Activity Books

As we transition into the dog days of summer, kids are likely getting restless, bored, wondering what they can do. And that’s understandable, especially with COVID-19 and many events and activities canceled. No camp. Pools closed. Libraries canceling in-person summer kids’ programming. Minimal, if any, time with friends. The list is lengthy.

So what’s a parent, or grandparent, to do? I suggest checking out the extensive offerings of coloring and activity books for preschoolers to elementary age available from Warner Press. These are more than just a way to fill time and occupy kids. These are hands-on books that teach important lessons from the Bible and can prompt discussion and follow-up activities. All in a fun way.

For example, The Fruit of the Spirit Coloring Book, designed for ages 4-7, teaches children that, when we love Jesus, it shows. Today, more than ever, that message is so important. With a little guidance, kids can easily find ways to show their love. Gather paint, cloth or paper, and an apple (sliced in half) and stamp apple art. Create frame-able fruit prints. Craft greeting cards. And then share those with others. What a wonderful way to express care and kindness.

Likewise, This Little Light of Mine Coloring Book encourages children ages 2-4 to shine the light of Jesus in their everyday lives. Purchase inexpensive mini flashlights. Then go into a dark room or outside at night and show these little people how light breaks through the darkness. Explain how they, too, can be lights. Something as simple as coloring pages in This Little Light of Mine and giving those to a sibling or grandparent or even an elderly neighbor can shine a bright light into someone’s day. That comes from a grandma who always appreciates “art” from her 4-year-old granddaughter to brighten the refrigerator door.

If you’d rather focus a child’s attention inward, Warner Press offers options like The Lord Is My Shepherd Activity Book to help kids ages 6-10 see and understand how deeply they are loved and cared for by Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Mazes, secret codes, and more reinforce that message and help this age group to memorize and understand Psalm 23. No matter your age, and especially during difficult times, it’s good to be reminded that The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want (Psalm 23:1, NIV®).

A similar message defines Too Little (Jesus Blesses the Children) Coloring Book for ages 2-5. Based on Mark 10:13-16, this coloring storybook tells the story of Tasha, who’s told repeatedly that she’s “too little.” When she then also thinks she’s “too little” for Jesus, Tasha learns just how special children are to Jesus. Mark 10:16 (NIV®) emphasizes this: And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. Kids can certainly relate to this—being held and hugged by a parent, grandparent, or other cherished family member. When hugs aren’t an option because of COVID-19, bagged or boxed foil-wrapped candy hugs can substitute for the real thing.

Warner Press cares deeply about the spiritual well-being of God’s precious little ones, and that is clear to me as I scroll through the lengthy line of coloring and activity books with biblical themes. Like parables, prayers, salvation, creation, miracles, and much more. Via simple illustrations to color for the youngest to hidden pictures, mazes, puzzlers, and dot-to-dot for older kids, basic biblical principles are taught and reinforced.

Just recently I showed my 18-month-old grandson how to color. Isaac watched, then pulled his own crayon from the box of colors and scribbled on a coloring sheet. Seconds later Isaac put the crayon back in the box, selected a new one and scribbled briefly on the paper, a process he repeated for a half hour. His attention span impressed me as did his interest. But what surprised me most was the moment Isaac looked at me and said, “You color.” He’d been listening as I repeated the word “color.” How impressionable are these little ones! And how important and invaluable our roles as parents, grandparents, teachers, and others to impress upon our children the love of Jesus, their value to Him, and their importance in this world God created.