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King Joash Craft for Kids

An easy King Joash craft for kids in three levels, a paper crown to wear, because Jehoiada "put the crown upon him" (2 Kings 11:12). Free printable template.

Preschool–Grade 5

King Joash Craft 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
2 Kings 11:1–12:2
Bible story
Joash the Boy King

What you need

  • The printed template (page 2), one per child (cardstock is sturdiest)
  • Crayons or markers in yellow, red and blue
  • Scissors, a glue stick and clear tape
  • A strip of plain paper, if a crown needs to be bigger
  • The printed testimony scroll page (page 3), one per child, plus a pencil, a light brown crayon and a piece of brown yarn about 12 inches long (harder level)

Steps

  1. Color both crown pieces and the back band yellow. Color the four circles on each crown piece blue and the eight diamonds on each band red.Color both crown pieces and the back band yellow. Color the four circles on each crown piece blue and the eight diamonds on each band red.
  2. Cut out the two crown pieces, the back band and the verse strip on the dashed lines.
  3. Glue the verse strip on the back band.
  4. Lay the two crown pieces side by side and tape them together where the bottom corners meet, so the points make one long row.
  5. Wrap the crown around the child's head. Tape the back band to both ends, with the verse facing out at the back. If it is too small, tape in a strip of plain paper.
  6. Tell it: Jehoiada the priest brought out Joash and put the crown upon him (2 Kings 11:12). Take turns crowning each other while the class claps and says, "God save the king."Tell it: Jehoiada the priest brought out Joash and put the crown upon him (2 Kings 11:12). Take turns crowning each other while the class claps and says, "God save the king."

This King Joash craft turns one printed page into a paper crown that kids wear. Little Joash was hidden in the house of the LORD for six years. Then Jehoiada the priest "brought forth the king’s son, and put the crown upon him," and the people "clapped their hands, and said, God save the king" (2 Kings 11:12). Kids color and tape their crowns, then crown each other as they tell the story. The memory verse, 2 Kings 12:2, is glued on the back band. It costs under 50 cents a child.

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, three crayon colors, scissors, glue and tape.
  • Kids act out the story: each child is crowned while the class claps and says, "God save the king" (2 Kings 11:12).
  • It points to God's Word: older kids also make the testimony scroll, because Jehoiada gave Joash the crown and the testimony on the same day (11:12).
  • No people drawn: the craft is only a crown and a scroll. Kids become the king when they wear it.
  • It carries the verse home: 2 Kings 12:2 (KJV), the memory verse for the whole set, is glued on the back of the crown.

Three ways to make it

  • Easy (preschool, ages 3–5): you cut out the pieces and tape the crown together. Kids color, and you fit the back band to their heads. No scissors.
  • Medium (grades K–2): the craft in the first photo. Kids color, cut out the pieces, tape the crown together and get crowned.
  • Harder (grades 3–5): the craft in the second photo. Kids also make the testimony scroll from page 3, copy the memory verse on it, roll it up from both ends and tie it with yarn.

Questions to ask

While kids work, ask who hid little Joash (2 Kings 11:2), where he was hidden and for how long (11:3), who put the crown upon him (11:9–12), what the people said (11:12), how old he was (11:21) and when he did what was right (12:2). Then read 2 Kings 12:2 together.

Tips for the classroom

For preschoolers, cut out the pieces and tape the crowns together ahead of time, so all they do is color and get crowned. Keep a few strips of plain paper ready for bigger heads. Cardstock makes the crown last longest.

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

Frequently asked questions

How do you make a simple King Joash craft for preschoolers?

Cut out each child's pieces ahead of time, glue the verse strip on the back band, and tape the two crown pieces together. Preschoolers color the crown yellow, the circles blue and the diamonds red. Then you fit the back band to each child's head. About 15 minutes, no cutting by the kids.

How much does this King Joash craft cost?

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

What Bible verse goes with this craft?

2 Kings 12:2 (KJV), "And Jehoash did that which was right in the sight of the LORD all his days wherein Jehoiada the priest instructed him." It is the memory verse for the whole set, and it is printed on the verse strip on the back of the crown.

How can older kids make this craft harder?

Use the harder level for grades 3–5. Kids also make the testimony scroll from page 3. Jehoiada "put the crown upon him, and gave him the testimony" (2 Kings 11:12), which means God's Word. Kids copy the memory verse on the scroll, roll it up from both ends and tie it with yarn.

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