VBS HQ
Menu
Craft

Dorcas Craft for Kids

A Dorcas craft for kids in three levels, a paper coat hanging on a peg in the upper chamber, like the coats Dorcas made (Acts 9:39). Free printable template.

Preschool–Grade 5

Dorcas Craft for Kids
📌 Save to Pinterest

Download

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
Acts 9:36–43
Bible story
Peter Raises Dorcas (Tabitha)

What you need

  • The printed template (page 2), one per child (cardstock is sturdiest)
  • Crayons or markers in yellow, light blue, brown, gray, blue and red
  • Scissors and a glue stick
  • The printed garment page (page 3) and a green crayon, one per child (harder level)

Steps

  1. Color the card: the wall yellow, the window light blue, the peg rail and the pegs brown, and the floor gray.Color the card: the wall yellow, the window light blue, the peg rail and the pegs brown, and the floor gray.
  2. Color the coat: the coat blue, the two stripes red, and the hem band and the cuffs yellow.
  3. Cut out the card, the coat and the verse strip on the dashed lines. Help younger children with the cutting.Cut out the card, the coat and the verse strip on the dashed lines. Help younger children with the cutting.
  4. Find the dotted coat shape under the left peg. Put glue on the back of the coat and press it on the dotted shape, so the coat hangs from the peg.
  5. Turn the card over. Glue the verse strip on the back and read it together.
  6. Tell it: hold up the card and show the coat, the way the widows stood by Peter "shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them" (Acts 9:39).Tell it: hold up the card and show the coat, the way the widows stood by Peter "shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them" (Acts 9:39).

This Dorcas craft turns one printed page into the upper chamber at Joppa with a coat hanging on a peg. Dorcas, also called Tabitha, "was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did" (Acts 9:36). When she died, the widows stood by Peter "shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made" (9:39). Then Peter kneeled down and prayed, and said, "Tabitha, arise" (9:40). Kids color a coat with stripes and hang it on the peg, with the memory verse on the back. It comes in three levels, with the template and teacher notes in one free PDF.

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, glue, crayons and scissors.
  • Kids can tell the story with it: hold up the card and show the coat, the way the widows showed Peter what Dorcas made (Acts 9:39).
  • It follows the Bible closely: the upper chamber, the coats and the garments come from Acts 9:37–39, and nothing is added to the story.
  • It teaches serving others: Dorcas was "full of good works" (9:36), and kids talk about a kind deed they can do this week.
  • It carries the verse home: Acts 9:36 (KJV) is glued on the back of the card.

Three ways to make it

  • Easy (preschool, ages 3–5): you cut out the pieces. Kids color and glue the coat on the peg. No scissors.
  • Medium (grades K–2): the craft in the first photo. Kids color, cut out and glue the pieces themselves.
  • Harder (grades 3–5): the craft in the second photo. Kids also add a long garment with a sash from page 3 on the right peg, for "the coats and garments which Dorcas made" (Acts 9:39).

Questions to ask

While kids work, ask what Dorcas was full of (Acts 9:36), where they laid her (9:37), what the widows showed Peter (9:39), what Peter did before he spoke (9:40), what he said (9:40), and what happened when people in Joppa heard (9:42). Then read Acts 9:36 together.

Tips for the classroom

Cardstock keeps the card stiff enough to hold up and show. For preschoolers, cut out the pieces ahead of time. Keep the sad part of the story short and gentle, and the good news big: Peter prayed, and God raised Dorcas up.

Teaching the story first? Use the free Dorcas lesson and the word search.

Frequently asked questions

How do you make a simple Dorcas craft for preschoolers?

Cut out each child's card, coat and verse strip ahead of time. Preschoolers color the coat and the room, then glue the coat under the left peg with your help, and you glue the verse on the back. It takes about 15 minutes with no cutting by the kids.

How much does this Dorcas craft cost?

Under 50 cents a child: one printed page, a little glue, and crayons you already have. The template is free to print. The harder level adds a second page.

What Bible verse goes with this craft?

Acts 9:36 (KJV): "Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did." It is printed on the verse strip that goes on the back of the card.

How can older kids make this craft harder?

Use the harder level for grades 3–5. Kids also color and cut out a long garment with a sash from page 3 and hang it on the right peg, because the widows showed Peter "the coats and garments which Dorcas made" (Acts 9:39).

More for this Bible story