Trinity Mobile

To use mobiles to help the children understand the Trinity

The children will identify the Trinity as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

• Coat hangers (one for each child)
• Hole puncher
• Yarn
• Heavy stock paper cut into rectangles (one 12" x 3" rectangle for each child; three 3" x 6" rectangles for each child)

• After leading the children in the discussion about the Trinity (The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are the Trinity. God our Father made us. Jesus his Son brings us God?s love. The Holy Spirit brings us peace. God made us out of love. Love and peace are God's gifts to us.), tell the children that they are going to make mobiles to show that there are three persons but only one God.
• Distribute the rectangles to the children and have them write the word "God" on the large rectangle and the name of one person of the "Trinity" on each of the small rectangles.
• Then have the children draw a picture or symbol on each of the small rectangles to illustrate the meaning of that person of the Trinity for them. For example, in one rectangle the children might draw some of the gifts of Creation for God the Father. In the next rectangle they might draw a cross for God the Son, and in the third rectangle they might draw a dove or a heart to symbolize God the Holy Spirit.
• Now have the children assemble the mobile using the pieces of yarn. First the children will attach the large "God" rectangle to the hanger by putting yarn through the three holes at the top of the rectangle and tying the yarn to the hanger, leaving space for the rectangle to hang.
• Then have the children put yarn through the hole at the top of the small "Father" rectangle and through the hole on the far left of the bottom of the large "God" rectangle.
• Leaving space for the "Father" rectangle to hang, the children will tie the ends of the yarn together.
• The children will follow these same steps for attaching the small "Son" and "Holy Spirit" rectangles, making sure to attach the "Son" rectangle to the middle of the "God" rectangle and the "Holy Spirit" rectangle to the bottom right side of the "God" rectangle.
• Once the mobiles are finished, have the children show their mobiles to the group and help them talk about the three persons in God as they explain the pictures they drew.

Art/Space Smart

Prepare the rectangles ahead of time by punching holes in them as follows: the large rectangle should have three holes punched at equally spaced intervals across the top and bottom of the 12" width of the rectangle; the small rectangles should have one hole punched at the top center of the 3" width of the rectangle.

Encourage the children to use large, simple symbols in each small rectangle instead of a lot of different objects. One symbol in each small rectangle will be easier to associate with the particular person of the Trinity.

If there are children in your group with special needs (physical, visual, hearing, language, or behavioral disabilities), adapt the activity accordingly.