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Moses and Pharaoh Craft for Kids

An easy Moses and Pharaoh craft for kids in three levels, a paper serpent pocket that swallows up the magicians' rods (Exodus 7:12). Free printable template.

Preschool–Grade 5

Moses and Pharaoh 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
Exodus 7:8–13
Bible story
Moses and Pharaoh

What you need

  • The printed template (page 2), one per child (cardstock is sturdiest)
  • Crayons or markers in brown, green and gray
  • Scissors and a glue stick
  • The printed small serpents page (page 3), one per child, plus a pencil (harder level)

Steps

  1. Color Aaron's rod brown. Color the serpent back and the serpent front green. Color the three magicians' rods gray.Color Aaron's rod brown. Color the serpent back and the serpent front green. Color the three magicians' rods gray.
  2. Cut out Aaron's rod, the serpent back, the serpent front, the three magicians' rods and the verse strip on the dashed lines.
  3. Make the serpent: put glue only on the dotted line of the serpent back. Press the serpent front on top so the edges line up. Leave the mouth open, so the serpent is a pocket.
  4. Turn the serpent over and glue the verse strip on the back. Read it together.
  5. Tell it: lay Aaron's rod on the table. Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, "and it became a serpent" (Exodus 7:10), so take the rod away and lay the serpent in its place. Lay the three magicians' rods in front of it (7:11–12).
  6. Slide the magicians' rods into the serpent's open mouth, one at a time, until they are gone: "Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods" (7:12).Slide the magicians' rods into the serpent's open mouth, one at a time, until they are gone: "Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods" (7:12).

This Moses and Pharaoh craft turns one printed page into a paper serpent with an open mouth that swallows up the magicians' rods. God sent Moses and Aaron to Pharaoh, and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, "and it became a serpent" (Exodus 7:10). Pharaoh's magicians cast down their rods, and they became serpents too, "but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods" (7:12). Kids slide the gray rods into the serpent's mouth to show that God's power is greater. The memory verse, Exodus 7:12, is glued on the back. 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 and a glue stick.
  • Kids act out the story: they lay down the rod, put the serpent in its place, and make it swallow up the magicians' rods, just as Exodus 7:10–12 tells it.
  • It shows God is greater: older kids make rods that turn over into serpents, then watch Aaron's serpent swallow every one, and write "God is greater!" on Aaron's rod.
  • No people drawn, and no magic: the craft shows only rods and serpents, and the focus stays on God's power.
  • It carries the verse home: Exodus 7:12 (KJV), the memory verse for the whole set, is glued on the back of the serpent.

Three ways to make it

  • Easy (preschool, ages 3–5): you cut out the pieces and glue the serpent pocket. Kids color and slide the rods into the serpent's mouth. No scissors.
  • Medium (grades K–2): the craft in the first photo. Kids color, cut out the pieces, glue the serpent pocket and tell the story with the rods.
  • Harder (grades 3–5): the craft in the second photo. Kids also glue a small serpent from page 3 on the back of each magician's rod, so each one turns from rod to serpent.

Questions to ask

While kids work, ask who God sent to Pharaoh (Exodus 7:1–2), how old Moses and Aaron were (7:7), what Aaron's rod became (7:10), who Pharaoh called (7:11), what happened to the magicians' rods (7:12) and whether Pharaoh listened (7:13). Then read Exodus 7:12 together.

Tips for the classroom

For preschoolers, cut out the pieces and glue the serpent pockets ahead of time, so all they do is color and tell the story. Keep the serpents friendly and the focus on God's power. Cardstock makes the serpent last longest.

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

Frequently asked questions

How do you make a simple Moses and Pharaoh craft for preschoolers?

Cut out each child's pieces ahead of time, glue the serpent front on the serpent back to make a pocket, and glue the verse strip on the back. Preschoolers color the rod brown, the serpent green and the magicians' rods gray, and then slide the gray rods into the serpent's mouth. About 15 minutes, no cutting by the kids.

How much does this Moses and Pharaoh 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?

Exodus 7:12 (KJV), "For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods." It is the memory verse for the whole set, and it is printed on the verse strip that kids glue on the back of the serpent.

How can older kids make this craft harder?

Use the harder level for grades 3–5. Kids glue a small gray serpent from page 3 on the back of each magician's rod, so each piece is a rod on one side and a serpent on the other. They tell Exodus 7:10–12 in order: the rods are cast down, they become serpents, and Aaron's serpent swallows them up.

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