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Armor of God Crafts for Kids

An easy paper plate shield of faith craft for kids in three levels, preschool to 5th grade, with a free printable armor of God template, supplies and steps.

Preschool–Grade 5

Armor of God Crafts for Kids
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Free to print and copy for your church, classroom, VBS and home. Please don't resell or re-post our files; link to the page instead.

Ages
Preschool (3–5), Early Elementary (K–2), Upper Elementary (3–5)
Time
15 to 30 minutes
Scripture
Ephesians 6:10–18
Bible story
The Armor of God

What you need

  • 1 white paper plate per child (9-inch)
  • The printed shield template (page 2), one per child (cardstock is sturdiest)
  • Crayons or markers in red, blue, green, orange, purple and yellow
  • Scissors, a glue stick and clear tape
  • The printed armor badges page (page 3), one per child (harder level)

Steps

  1. Color the five sections of the shield red, blue, green, orange and purple, one color each. Color the middle circle and the little dots around the edge yellow.Color the five sections of the shield red, blue, green, orange and purple, one color each. Color the middle circle and the little dots around the edge yellow.
  2. Cut out the shield, the handle strip and the verse strip on the dashed lines. Help younger children with the cutting.Cut out the shield, the handle strip and the verse strip on the dashed lines. Help younger children with the cutting.
  3. Turn the paper plate upside down and glue the shield in the middle of the bottom.
  4. Turn the plate over. Fold both ends of the handle on the dotted lines and tape the ends to the inside of the plate, about 3 inches apart, so the strip bends up into a loop for your hand.
  5. Glue the verse strip inside the plate, under the handle, and read it together.
  6. Hold your shield of faith by the handle and say, "Above all, taking the shield of faith" (Ephesians 6:16).Hold your shield of faith by the handle and say, "Above all, taking the shield of faith" (Ephesians 6:16).

This armor of God craft turns a paper plate into a shield of faith (Ephesians 6:16). Kids color a printed shield, glue it on the plate and add a paper handle and the verse strip on the back, so they can hold it up like a real shield. It costs under 50 cents a child, takes about 20 minutes and comes with a free printable template. It comes in three levels, from preschool to 5th grade.

The finished craft, easy and medium level

The finished craft, harder level

What it looks like finished: easy and medium (first photo) and harder (second photo).

Why this craft works

  • Cheap and simple: a paper plate, one printed page, tape and crayons.
  • It teaches the passage: the shield of faith, and at the harder level all five other pieces of armor from Ephesians 6:14–17.
  • It carries the verse home: the template includes Ephesians 6:16 (KJV) on a strip to glue on the back.

Three ways to make it

  • Easy (preschool, ages 3–5): you cut out the pieces ahead of time. Kids color the shield and glue it on the plate, and you add the handle and verse. No scissors.
  • Medium (grades K–2): kids color the shield in five colors, cut out the pieces, glue the shield on the plate and add the handle and verse strip on the back.
  • Harder (grades 3–5): kids also color and cut out five armor badges (belt, breastplate, shoe, helmet and sword) and glue one in each section of the shield, naming each piece from Ephesians 6:14–17. Then they say Ephesians 6:11 from memory.

Questions to ask

While kids work, ask what faith means (trusting God), what the shield of faith can quench, or put out (all the fiery darts of the wicked, Ephesians 6:16), and who makes us strong (the Lord, Ephesians 6:10).

Tips for the classroom

Print the template on cardstock if you can, so the handles are sturdy. For preschoolers, cut out the pieces too, so all they do is color and glue. After the craft, play the Shield of Faith game with crumpled paper balls.

Teaching the passage first? Use the free armor of God Sunday school lesson and the armor of God word search.

Frequently asked questions

How do you make a simple armor of God craft for preschoolers?

Cut out the shield, handle and verse strip ahead of time. Preschoolers color the shield and glue it onto the bottom of a paper plate, and you tape on the handle and glue the verse on the back. It takes about 15 minutes with no cutting by the kids.

How much does this armor of God craft cost?

Under 50 cents a child: one paper plate, one printed page, a little tape and crayons you already have. The template is free to print.

What Bible verse goes with a shield of faith craft?

Ephesians 6:16 (KJV), "Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." It is printed on the verse strip that goes on the back of the shield.

How can older kids make this armor of God craft harder?

Use the harder level for grades 3–5. Kids color and cut out five armor badges (the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoe for the gospel of peace, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit) and glue one in each section of the shield, naming each piece and its verse from Ephesians 6:14–17. Then they say Ephesians 6:11 from memory.

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