Craft

Books of the Bible Craft for Kids

An easy books of the Bible craft for kids in three levels, a paper open Bible with 66 books on its shelves to color by group, with a free printable template.

Preschool–Grade 5

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⬇ Craft template + instructions (PDF) · 6 pages

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 35 minutes
Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16; Psalm 119:105
Bible story: The Books of the Bible

What you need

The printed open Bible and back card template (page 2), one per child (cardstock is sturdiest)
1 sheet of light green construction paper per child (9 by 12 inches)
Crayons or markers in red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, pink, brown, light blue and black
Scissors and a glue stick
The printed lamp, path and memory card page (page 3), a gray crayon and a pencil, one per child (harder level)

Steps

Color the books on the left page, the Old Testament. Top shelf: the first 5 books red and the next 12 orange. Middle shelf: 5 yellow, then 5 green. Bottom shelf: all 12 blue.
Color the books on the right page, the New Testament. Top shelf: 4 purple, then 1 orange. Middle shelf: all 13 pink. Bottom shelf: 8 brown, then 1 light blue.
Color the cover edge around the two pages black. Leave the pages white.
Cut out the open Bible and the back card on the dashed lines. Help younger children with the cutting.
Hold the light green paper the wide way. Glue the whole back of the open Bible and press it in the middle of the paper.
Glue the back card on the back of the green paper. Read the verse and the book names together.
Count the books together, 39 on the left page and 27 on the right page. That makes 66 books in one Bible.

This books of the Bible craft turns one printed page into a little open Bible with all 66 books standing on its shelves: 39 Old Testament books on the left page and 27 New Testament books on the right. Kids color the books by group (Law, History, Poetry and Wisdom, Prophets, Gospels, Letters and Prophecy), glue the Bible on construction paper and carry home a back card with every book name and 2 Timothy 3:16. It costs under 50 cents a child, takes about 25 minutes and 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: one printed page, one sheet of construction paper and crayons.
Kids see the whole Bible at once: one Book with 66 books inside, in two parts. Coloring by group shows how big each group is, and counting the books makes 39 and 27 stick.
It teaches what the Bible says about itself: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God" (2 Timothy 3:16). The group names are a study help, not Bible text, and the teacher pages say so.
It carries the verse home: the back card has 2 Timothy 3:16 (KJV) and all 66 book names in King James order, so families can practice together.

Three ways to make it

Easy (preschool, ages 3–5): you cut out and glue the pieces. Kids color the books any colors they like and count some together. No scissors.
Medium (grades K–2): the craft in the first photo. Kids color the books by group, cut out the open Bible and back card, and glue them on.
Harder (grades 3–5): kids also make a lamp and a path from page 3 for Psalm 119:105, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path," and write the five books of the Law and the four Gospels from memory on a card for the back.

Questions to ask

While kids work, ask what the first five books are called (the Law), what the four Gospels tell about (Jesus, John 20:31) and who gave us all the scripture (God, 2 Timothy 3:16). The teacher pages list every group with its color and number of books.

Tips for the classroom

Print page 2 on cardstock if you can. For preschoolers, cut out and glue everything ahead of time, so all they do is color and count. The little gaps on each shelf show where one group ends and the next begins.

Teaching the lesson first? Use the free books of the Bible Sunday school lesson, the books of the Bible word search and the books of the Bible printable chart.

Frequently asked questions

How do you make a simple books of the Bible craft for preschoolers?

Cut out each child's open Bible ahead of time and glue it on the light green paper. Preschoolers color the books on the shelves any colors they like while you count them together. You glue the back card on. It takes about 15 minutes with no cutting by the kids.

How much does this books of the Bible craft cost?

Under 50 cents a child: one printed page (cardstock is best), one sheet of construction paper and crayons you already have. The template is free to print.

What Bible verse goes with a books of the Bible craft?

2 Timothy 3:16 (KJV), "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." It is printed on the back card with all 66 book names. The harder level adds Psalm 119:105.

How can older kids make this books of the Bible craft harder?

Use the harder level for grades 3–5. Kids also make a lamp and a path from page 3 for Psalm 119:105, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path," and write the five books of the Law and the four Gospels from memory on a card for the back.