I know, I know…it’s barely been the First Sunday of Lent and I already have a project for the Second Sunday of Lent. I was just too excited about this to not share!!! So, consider this a bonus in that you now have an entire week to pick up the supplies. I promise, there aren’t many. So, without further adieu, I bring you Stations of the Cross for kids magnets!
These magnets are a great teaching tool. They are very easy to make, and have the added benefit of a) providing you an opportunity to teach each station as you make the magnet for that specific station and b) can be played with / reordered / sorted on the fridge as a teaching tool not only during Lent but year-round should you chose to leave them up. As these print small, the second page of the downloadable template is a list of all stations in a font you can keep for reference.
I searched quite a while for the right pattern for the magnets – and found amazing hand-drawn stations by Melissa, over at St. Brigid’s Academy. She’s so talented!
- Stations of the Cross Magnets (14 stations)
- colored pencils or sharp crayons (markers will bleed when glue is applied)
- 14 large 1.5″-2″ glass “jewels”
- clear tacky glue
- strong magnets
- glue gun
HOW TO MAKE
- Color and cut out the 14 circles representing each of the 14 stations (see Figure A)
- Squirt glue directly onto the picture you just colored (the top) part of each paper circle, one at a time (see Figure B)
- Place the glass jewel/marble on top of the photo and lightly press down to get out the air and ensure the glue flows to the edges of the paper circle (see Figure C)
- Repeat 13 times, and let dry
- Glue the magnet on the back of each piece of paper
- Let your magnets dry for a few hours or overnight
Check out all the ways to celebrate Lent and Easter with your family!
This is a wonderful project! I've had those glass beads and magnets to back them for over a year and didn't have a plan in mind. Thank you!
Katie, great! I'm so glad to hear it. Let me know how your project goes, ok?
Now I know why you were psyched about this project. It's perfect for teaching kids. Do you think first graders could make this craft? I'm wondering if they'd be patient enough? When my son was young, we went to a local MOPS program too. We did make this craft with cute scrapbook paper. I think I picked out ones that said faith, love and hope.
Hmm…my son is only 1.5yrs old, so I don't have much experience with first graders 🙂 In terms of ease, it's simple and they could do it. The question would be if they could do it 14 times. Hey, at least they won't try eating the glass marbles like my son did!
By the way, I'm a big fan of Melissa's too!
Hopping over from Catholic Inspired's Linky party. I love the images you used on your magnets! I made these several years ago but used different images and with Mod Podge (found that it sealed the images better; after a while the glue tended to pull away from the gem if I just glued them). I call them prayer gems because I didn't put magnets on the back–we hold them while praying the stations. You can see my blog post here:
http://diary-of-a-sower.blogspot.com/2011/04/craft-project-stations-of-cross-prayer.html
I also made some for the "Stations of Light" which we pray after Easter. These are such a wonderful tool!
Still have a bag of these and am looking for other creative ways to use them!
You have some wonderfully creative ideas! I've added your blog to my feed reader.
Blessings,
Cheryl
http://www.diary-of-a-sower.blogspot.com
Cheryl, I just checked out your stations "gems" – great minds think alike 🙂 I love how clear your images came out – where did you find your gems? The ones I bought at Michaels were clear but the bottom had a slight ripple effect, making them ever so slightly opaque.
Jen,
I think I purchased them at Dollar Tree, but it was several years ago. Occasionally I will find the round ones at Dollar Tree, but now they seem to carry more oblong ones (at least around here).
I love the images you used; very kid-friendly!
I like the idea of putting magnets behind them; then the kids can use them on the refrigerator or a cookie sheet.
Blessings,
Cheryl
http://www.diary-of-a-sower.blogspot.com
Cheryl, I think the Mod Podge is a great idea – this is the first time I've made these and, for now, they're holding…but a great future suggestion. I like the idea of the prayer gems, too. Very creative!
Thanks Jen for making me blush a few times! You too Noreen! I'm so glad that these drawings are going to such great use in teaching the faith. I love the magnet idea, as well as Cheryl's idea to have the children hold the gem as they pray. So beautifully inspired. I really think the Holy Spirit is directing us in each other's paths. God bless!
Aww, you deserve it! Your drawings are wonderful – I couldn't have done this project without you 🙂