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Liven up children bible stories by acting them out

Telling children bible stories can be made so much more lively and stimulating by dressing up for the part and acting it out. Ask the children to dress up too, they will love it. You may be saying to yourself, "I don't have any clothes that look like they are from bible times." Just a quick rummage through clothes you may not have worn for a while will spark off some ideas.Visit your charity second hand shop you can pick up adult shirts, old belts, sandals etc. An old scarf or shawl makes an excellent headdress, a tie as a headband, an old leather belt can be used as a soldier's waist band. An old vase or ceramic pot carried on the shoulders as a water container holder. A dishcloth, (clean and dry, of course!) as a head dress. The more imagination you use, the more you will enjoy acting and telling children bible stories!

Children bible stories that work well by acting them out are Ruth and Boaz, Adam and Eve, the miracles of Jesus, Joshua and Caleb, Stephen, Paul on his way to Damascus, the birth of Jesus, David and Goliath, Daniel in the lion's den, Jonah and the whale as well as many others. Other useful odds and ends are old sheets, rope, torches, candle holders and candles, chairs, blankets, baskets, soccer balls etc. Children's creativity is stimulated if you hand items to them; it is fascinating to see what they come up with in their children bible stories. If they struggle give them a few ideas to get them going. A sheet can be used as the whale: Pulling the sheet over "Jonah's" head can signify him being swallowed.

Choose a story with between 4 and 6 characters, as too many characters can complicate matters. If you have more children then rather separate into groups which either do the same story or related stories. Teens love making modern day versons of their favourite stories. Let your imagination go wild and above all, have loads of fun doing it.

To make the garment use one that you know fits you and has a loose, flowing style. Mark a pattern on your fabric using material chalk or a pencil. Sew the edges of a coloured or striped fabric strip approximately two to two and a half metres long. This can be used as a drape or finishing touch for your garment. As with any dress code, it is the details that make all the difference: Go through your mother's or granny's old jewelry and trinkets, search the back of the cupboard for forgotten pieces. Much of the fun for these times is in the discovery and the dressing, more than in the final product. Remember to take a few photographs or video to keep a record of the special times that you enjoy together as a family or group.

To make your own garment suitable for old or new testament stories you will need:

- Measuring tape, paper and pencil;

- Marking pencil or fabric chalk;

- Sewing machine;

- Waist band, (use soft rope, thick ribbon or an old belt/ ties);

- Sharp fabric scissors;

- Elastic about 10cm x 1,5m (4 inches by 5 feet);

- Fabric:

Select a fabric that does not run at the cut edges easily as this will make sewing easier. In these pictures, the blue and white is striped T-shirting and the dark blue is tracksuiting fabric.

- A piece of plain fabric large enough to cut out the garment,

1. Long rectangle shape for the front and back panels cut out two measurethe length from shoulder to above ankle, and measure the wdth from shoulder to shoulder and add another 10cm (4 inches)to the one side;

2. Sleeves are two square shapes, measure from top of shoulder to between elbow and wrist as well as from the shoulder to half way between shoulder and waist.

3. Coloured striped fabric works best for the overlay and head cover. Measure the length from back of the knee over the shoulder to the front of the knee, and for the width from shoulder to shoulder. Also out of the striped fabric cut a rectangle of 50cm x 70cm (20 by 32 inches) for the turban;

4. Sew on lace or other suitable fabric such as bias binding and braided trimming for head bands and the bottom of the front of the overlay.

Method:

First use the rectangle shapes and square shapes in number one and two above. Sew the rectangle a quarter of the width to leave an opening for the head. Neaten the opening by sewing a hem.

Next take the two squares fold them in half, place them at the top on either side of the rectangle and sew them onto the rectangle shape. Pin and sew the sleeves into the sleeve position.

Sew bottom of the sleeves closed and continue to sew the sides of the body panel, leaving a slit open just above the knee on both sides. This forms a T-shape. The striped fabric overlay will only need cutting along one side. Find the middle where the overlay will drape over the shoulders. Mark a straight line with the chalk across. Then mark with the chalk down the middle of the front of the overlay. Cut with sharp scissors on this middle line up to the marked shoulder line. Cut in 5cm on each side for the neck to fit into. Head band: Measure head and then subtract 10cm, Cut the length out of braided trimming. Then sew 10cm elastic on either side to made a round head band. Decorate and neaten using bias binding and braiding.

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