Have you ever struggled to find a way to teach an abstract concept to your kids? Object lessons for kids can be a great way to help them understand.

Object lessons can be a great, hands-on approach for teaching history, studying nature, building character, learning the Bible, and so much more.

What is an object lesson?

Simply put, an object lesson is a lesson that teaches an abstract concept using tangible objects. For example, if you want to teach your kids about the Holy Trinity, you might show them an apple.

You would explain that there are three parts of an apple (skin, flesh, and core) and together the parts make up a whole apple. In the same way, God has three parts (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) but together they make one God.

Object lessons for kids, simply put, gives a visual representation of a somewhat complex idea.

What are some good Bible concepts to teach using object lessons?

Today I’m going to share some bible object lessons that I’ve used with my kids or ones that I have seen other people do. Once you see how simple and easy object lessons for kids are, hopefully you will come up with some of your own!

Object lessons can be used to teach all sorts of concepts in any area of study. Here is a list of abstract Bible or character building ideas that can be taught using the object lesson style of teaching:

• Self-control
• The Holy Trinity
• The wise and foolish man
• Salvation
• Words Can’t be Undone
• New Life in Christ
• We are the Light of the World
• A Clean Heart
• Temptation
• Forgiveness
• Pray from anywhere
• Give your burdens to Jesus
• Water into wine miracle
• Spiritual Gifts
• Lying
• The Armor of God
• Creation
• Sin
• Gratitude
• Humility
• Studying God’s Word
• Patience
• God gives Rest

Awesome Bible Object lessons for Kids

1. Volcano of Anger Object lesson

Let’s start off our object lessons for kids by making a homemade volcano using a baking soda and vinegar to demonstrate how anger can fester inside of us then explode, surprising and possibly hurting those around us. “A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.” Proverbs 19:11 (NIV)

2 . The Trinity Apple

Talk about the three parts of an apple: the skin, the flesh, and the core. Each part is different yet they all make up a whole. The Holy Trinity has three parts, (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) yet they all make up the whole person of God.

3. Build Your House on the Rock Not the Sand

Jesus said the one who reads his Word and does it is like a man who builds his house upon a rock and the one who hears the word but does nothing with it, is like a foolish man who builds his house upon the sand. (Matthew 7:24-27)

Using two Tupperware containers, one with sand in the bottom and one with a large rock on the bottom, place a trinket house or one built from Lincoln Logs or Popsicle sticks on each of the foundations.

Then, using a hose or watering can, send the rain and see which house does not falter. Learn about building on the rock with this bible object lesson.

4. The Free Gift of Salvation Object lesson

Using money, this is a simple salvation object lesson using money. Offer your kids a five or ten dollar bill. Explain that that dollar a free gift, and like salvation, the only thing you have to do is receive it. (Romans 6:23)

5. Watch What You Say- Words can’t be undone

Have your kids squeeze out some toothpaste onto a paper plate, then ask them to try and put it back into the tube. It doesn’t work, does it? Once our words are spoken they are out there for good. Therefore, be careful what you say because your words bring life, or hurt someone. (Proverbs 15:4)

6. New Life in Christ- Butterfly Object Lesson for Kids

Show you kids a plain old coffee filter and talk about 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 “There for if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”

Then show them a coffee filter that you have colored with bright colored markers, sprayed with water, let dry, and shaped into a beautiful butterfly.

Explain how Christ works in us to make us new creations in Him.

7. We Are the Light of the World Bible Object Lessons

Turn off the lights and light one small candle. Read Matthew 5:14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.” Then, observe how much light one candle can offer to a dark space. In the same way, the light we share of Jesus can light up a dark world.

8. A Clean Penny is Like a Clean Heart

Using a handful of dirty old pennies, white vinegar, and ionized salt, demonstrate Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” (ESV). Explain that Jesus changes our lives and can make our hearts clean again.

9. Temptation Tug of War Object Lesson

Break up into two teams and give them a rope with a handkerchief (temptation) tied in the middle. Explain that we will feel the tug and tension of temptation throughout our lives, but God has given us the power the overcome (1 Cor. 10:13).

10. Waves of Forgiveness

You can do this object lesson at the beach, at church, or at home. If you are at church or home, fill a 8×8 pan with sand. Have the kids write a sin in the sand, then pour water (waves) over it and explain that God washes away our sin, never to be seen or heard of again. (1 John 1:9)

11. Bible Object Lessons for Kids – Sticky lies

Pour some maple or chocolate syrup into the palm of your hand. Talk about how lies can lead to more and more lies and get us into a very sticky situation…fast. (1 Peter 3:10-11)

12. Pray from Anywhere Object Lesson

Show kids your cell phone and talk about all the different places you can call people from. Explain that prayer works in the same way, we can talk to God from any place at any time. (1Thessalonians 5:16-18)

13. Give Your Burdens to Jesus Object Lesson

Get some large rocks and write some of your burdens or worries on them. Then get a backpack and label it “God”. Have the kids give their heavy burdens over to “God” while they focus on things they are thankful for. (Philippians 4:6-7)

14. Water into Wine Object lessons for kids

Transform a boring picture of water into a tasty drink using a flavored powder. Then talk about how Jesus transformed water into wine. But instead of using flavored powder, Jesus used His heavenly power to perform His first miracle. (John 2:1-11)

15. Spiritual gifts M & M Object Lesson

For this M & M object lesson, show a jar full of M&M’s and observe the similarities and differences of the candy. Explain that like M&M’s we all have different talents, skills, and interests yet we are all filled with the same Spirit and are called to work together as one. (1 Corinthians 12)

16. Watch what you absorb Bible Object Lessons for Kids

Use celery to illustrate the garbage in garbage out concept. Place a few stalks of celery (root down) in a glass full of water and food coloring. Come back the next day to see the celery absorb the food coloring from the water.

Take the opportunity to encourage kids to feed their minds with good, truthful, and beautiful things. (2 Cor. 10:5)

17. Connected to the Vine Bible Object Lesson

Get some grapes on a vine and talk about how the grapes will continue growing and thriving if they stay connected to the Vine. On the other hand, if they are removed they will quickly shrivel up and die. In the same way, if we stay connect to God and his Word we will continue to grow in our faith. (John 15)

18. Floating Oranges and the Armor of God

For this Armor of God object lesson, put a whole orange and one peeled orange in a large bowl of water. The one with the “armor” (peel) still one is able to stand strong and stay afloat but the one who “took off his armor” sinks and finds himself having trouble. (Ephesians 6:10-18)

19. Friendship Object Lesson

Bring a trusty pair of salt and pepper shakers to this lesson. Talk about how salt and pepper are different but they compliment each other at the table. In the same way, our friends are all unique and different, yet they compliment our lives. (Romans 12:10)

20. Bible Object Lessons for Kids- Sin Spoils

To demonstrate how sin spoils take some green food dye and put it on a few pieces of bread to give it the moldy look. Then start to make a sandwich using the “moldy” bread. Talk about how even a little bit of mold can ruin a perfectly good sandwich. In the same way, a tiny bit of our sin can keep us from heaven, if we don’t have Jesus to take the sin away. (Romans 3:23)

21. Creation Scavenger Hunt

Go on a hunt to find objects that God made. Not just objects you can hold, but things you can see, smell, taste, and hear as well. Observe the details and enjoy the variety of things found. (Genesis 1)

22. Giving Thanks Is Still In Style

Bring a stack of thank you cards and talk about how people used to handwrite a thank you note for gifts, or kindnesses that had been done to them as a way to say thank you to the giver. While writing thank you notes has almost become a lost art, saying thank you is still very much in style. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

23. Humility and Dirty Feet Object lesson for Kids

Show a pair of sandals or flip flops and talk about how they are good at keeping your feet cool during the summer but not necessarily clean. Talk about how Jesus demonstrated humility with his friends and the people around him by washing their dirty feet. Jesus is our example of serving others with humility. (John 13)

24. Study God’s Word a Little Closer

Have fun observing things through a pair of binoculars. What details were you able to see? In the same way, we should look at Gods word. Not necessarily through binoculars but rather, getting in the habit of taking a closer look and spending time in God’s Word. You never know what things you might notice! (Joshua 1:8)

25. Object Lesson on Patience – It’s Worth the Wait

Present a cold glass of lemonade (with ice) and an ice cube tray. Talk about how much more refreshing this summer drink is when there is ice to cool it off. Then talk about waiting for the cubes to freeze. Note that sometimes waiting is hard (especially when its hot or we are uncomfortable) but patience (and trusting in the Lord) is always worth the wait. (Isaiah 40:31)

26. We Can Rest in Jesus – Bible Object Lessons for Kids

What does a soft pillow remind you of? Good night’s rest? A cozy catnap? Comfort? Peace? Rest? In Matthew 11:28 Jesus said, “Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” In the same way our pillow is a place of comfort, Jesus is also a place we can always go when we need true rest.

More Bible Resources for Kids

• Adam and Eve Craft Ideas
• Fruit of the Spirit Copywork
• Top Christian Devotional Books for Kids
• 10 Easy Ways to Teach Kids about God Through Nature
• Simple Ways to Foster Faith in Your Family
• Printable Nativity Busy Book

What are your favorite Bible object lessons for kids?