These sand crosses are simple to make and a lot of fun. They also carry a powerful message.

Jesus knows what it is to hurt, to suffer, and to want what one cannot have! He understands and is there for us during our most trying times on earth.

While kids glue and apply sand, take a moment to reflect on the many burdens Jesus is willing to carry for us. Crafts like this one are fabulous not just for occupying little ones hands, but for spurring big conversations about our Lord.

Create: Sand Cross

Supplies

cross cutout*
colored sands*
glue

*Supplied by Christian Curriculum Experience God.

Create the Cross and Chat

My plan was for him to use the glue, then the sand. His plan was to mix it all together. He had a blast!

Ask: What is more valuable than money?

Jesus wandered in the wilderness for 40 days and was tempted by Satan.
Jesus knows how it feels to be hungry and to feel pain. Because He suffered, He understands how to help us when we suffer.
Using the glue, decorate the cross with sand.
Remember that when you are hungry, alone, or wish you had something that you don’t, Jesus understands.

Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Hebrews 2:19

Pray

This little guy is getting so good at using glue!

Invite children to share what they learned about temptations.
Pray together.
- “Father God, thank you for being the one true God. Help me to keep my eyes on you and to not be tempted by anyone or anything else. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Play a song about faith, such as “Surely God is With You,” from the Experience God Truth Tunes III CD.
- Try dancing while balancing the cross art project on your head. If it falls off, pick it up and hold it close.

Explain

God is bigger than our suffering and will make us strong in the hard times.

Look closely, my daughter is convinced that the top of her cross has a red Olympian figure skater coming through on the cross!

Our Experience

All three kids (5, 4, and 2) loved using glue and sand to decorate their crosses. Each utilized a different technique.

My four year old was all about applying glue, then sand, then glue, then sand, and so forth. He had quite an interesting look to his cross by the end. He was certain that Jesus would love his cross and we both sent up a prayer that we could get all the glue and sand off his hands.

My two year old was thrilled to be able to get the glue to cooperate! He used more finite movements than I have seem him use previously. He is starting to pray aloud with us. His favorite part of this activity was undoubtedly signing and balancing the cross on his head.

My daughter is a fantastic cloud watcher. She can find almost anything up in the clouds; dragons, pigs, or even a stove top. She did the same with this project and located an Olympian figure skater in her sand. Having watched the Olympics recently, she got a glimpse at just how hard those athletes train. We discussed how Jesus can carry an athlete through training, competing, success, injury, and defeat.

Our family greatly enjoys learning about our Lord and praising Him through stories, songs, and crafts!

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