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Crossing the Red Sea Sunday School Lesson for Kids

A free crossing the Red Sea Sunday school lesson (Exodus 13–15) in four age levels, preschool to preteen: a game, Bible story, questions, verse and take-home.

Preschool–Grade 6

Crossing the Red Sea Sunday School Lesson 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), Preteen (5–6)
Time
20–60 minutes (depends on the age level)
Scripture
Exodus 14–15
Bible story
Crossing the Red Sea

What you need

  • A Bible (mark Exodus 14:13 and Exodus 14:22)
  • Bibles for the kids to look up verses (3rd grade and up)
  • 4 index cards and a marker (memory verse game, kindergarten to 2nd grade)
  • A blue bedsheet or two blue towels (preschool, optional for other ages)
  • A white paper cloud and a flashlight (preschool game)
  • Paper and pencils (3rd grade and up)
  • Printed take-home sheets, one per child
  • Printed Crossing the Red Sea word search and crayons for early finishers

This free Crossing the Red Sea Sunday school lesson teaches kids that God fights for His people, so we can trust Him when we are afraid. It comes in four age levels, each a separate printable teacher lesson, plus one take-home sheet for families. Pick the one that fits your class. Everything is in the order you teach it.

Choose your age level

  • Preschool (ages 3–5), 20–30 minutes, 2 pages: a short story with hand motions and repeat-after-me lines, a blue bedsheet "sea" the kids walk through, three simple questions, a shortened memory verse ("The LORD shall fight for you") with motions, and a drawing activity.
  • Kindergarten to 2nd grade, 45 minutes, 3 pages: the story in simple words, five recall questions with answers, and the Hold Your Peace memory game with four cards and motions.
  • 3rd to 5th grade, 45–60 minutes, 3 pages: kids look up verses in their own Bibles during a fuller story (the long way through the wilderness, the angel and the pillar of cloud, the chariot wheels, Miriam's song), five thinking questions and three recall questions, and a Bible look-up race.
  • Preteens (ages 11–12), 45–60 minutes, 3 pages: students read Exodus 14 and 15:1–2 out loud themselves, then discuss fear, waiting and obeying, and praise. Six discussion questions, a journal page, and two memory verses (Exodus 14:14 and Exodus 15:2).

Lesson at a glance

  • Bible passage: Exodus 13:17–14:31 and 15:1–21
  • Main point: God fights for His people, so we can trust Him when we are afraid.
  • Memory verse: Exodus 14:14 (KJV), with Exodus 15:2 added for preteens
  • Ages: preschool to preteen, in four versions

Lesson outline (the same in every version)

  1. Opening game: a short game about fear, waiting and trusting, like "Stand Still, Go Forward."
  2. Bible story: the pillar of cloud and fire, Pharaoh's army chases Israel, "Fear ye not, stand still," the strong east wind, God's people cross on dry ground, and the song of praise. Every fact has its verse reference so you can check it.
  3. Questions to ask: with answers, at the right level for each age.
  4. Memory verse: a game or motion to help kids learn Exodus 14:14.
  5. What this means for us: trust God when you're afraid, the gospel (Acts 2:38), and a challenge for the week.
  6. Activity: the Crossing the Red Sea word search, a coloring page or craft, a Bible look-up race or a journal page, depending on the age.
  7. Prayer.

Tips for teaching the Red Sea

  • Read Exodus 14:13–14 straight from your Bible. Moses' words, "Fear ye not, stand still," are the heart of the story.
  • The Bible says God used a strong east wind blowing all night (Exodus 14:21). Kids love that detail, and it is in the text.
  • Keep the Egyptian army's end brief and calm. Each lesson gives you a short, gentle answer if a child asks about it.
  • Short on time? Do the story, three questions and the memory verse. That is a solid 25-minute lesson.

Frequently asked questions

How long does this Red Sea lesson take?

It depends on the age level. The preschool lesson takes 20 to 30 minutes, the kindergarten to 2nd grade lesson about 45 minutes, and the 3rd to 5th grade and preteen lessons 45 to 60 minutes. For a short class, do the story, three questions and the memory verse.

What age is this lesson for?

All ages from preschool to preteen. The lesson comes in four separate teacher PDFs: preschool (ages 3 to 5), kindergarten to 2nd grade, 3rd to 5th grade, and preteens (ages 11 to 12). Each one tells the same Bible story at the right length and reading level, with its own questions and activity.

What is the main point of the Red Sea story for kids?

When the Israelites were trapped and afraid, God fought for them and made a way through the sea. Moses told the people, "The LORD shall fight for you" (Exodus 14:14). God is with us when we are afraid.

Did the Israelites really cross the Red Sea on dry ground?

Yes, that is what the Bible says. God sent a strong east wind all night, and the people walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground with the water like a wall on their right and left (Exodus 14:21–22, 14:29).

Is this Sunday school lesson really free?

Yes. Print as many copies as you need for your church, school or home. Please don't resell it.

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