Since Jesus was crucified on the cross, it is an important symbol in the Christian faith. Have your preschool students make torn paper crosses while teaching them about the importance of this symbol. Cut out cross shapes from poster board and distribute them to children. Provide kids with pieces of different colored construction or crepe paper and instruct them to tear the paper into pieces. Have them glue the torn pieces of paper to their crosses, adding color and interest to the images.
Prayer is an important part of the Lenten period, as Christians believe it helps connect them to Jesus. Help your students create a craft that illustrates the importance of prayer and reminds them to pray during the Lenten season. Instruct children to press their fingers on each hand together and trace around each hand, up to the wrist, on a piece of black construction paper. Cut out the images and glue them onto a piece of white paper -- the hands should be slightly overlapping one another, creating the look of hands that are pressed together in prayer.
Recreate Jesus' crown of thorns using floral foam and toothpicks. Provide children with floral wreath forms and toothpicks. Encourage children to paint the wreath forms with brown paint. Once the paint dries, offer children toothpicks and help them press the toothpicks into the wreath forms, creating the look of thorns. In order to avoid injury, opt for rounded toothpicks instead of the pointed variety.
Christians often give up or sacrifice something important to them during the Lenten season in order to honor the sacrifices that Jesus made for his people. Discuss the importance of giving something up or making a sacrifice during the season of Lent with your students and ask them to think of something that they may sacrifice. For this age, some options may include ice cream, candy, playing with a specific toy and so forth. Once children decide on what it is that they are going to give up, provide them with construction paper and crayons and ask them to draw a picture that illustrates their sacrifice. Have children share their pictures and use them as a reminder of what they have chosen to sacrifice during Lent.