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Build It, Play It: Miracle Lunch Box

  • Writer: Maralee Allen
    Maralee Allen
  • 12 minutes ago
  • 3 min read

A family favorite Bible story is the one where the little boy shared his lunch with Jesus, and Jesus used it to feed over 5,000 people!


When I tell this story to preschoolers, I love to use a bamboo steamer basket.


Bamboo steamer basket

bamboo steamer basket (From freepic.com)


When we get to the part in the story where the little boy shares his lunch with Jesus, I lift the lid to reveal what was in his lunch: 2 little fish and 5 little loaves of bread.


Carefully, we count the 2 fish crackers and the 5 square crackers.


Then, I close the lid and tell the part where Jesus blessed the food. Then, when Jesus starts handing the food to the disciples to share with the crowd, I don’t reopen the lid, I lift the lid and top layer together to reveal the bottom layer, which I’ve secretly loaded with handfuls of crackers!


It’s such a “wow” moment!


BUT…


Instead of buying a steamer basket, your kid could make their very own Miracle Lunch Box!


All you need to get started is a small cardboard box, four Dixie cups and three pipe cleaners.



“Come on, let’s get started!”


Cut off the two small flaps and (if the box is ugly like mine) cover the box with paper.


White dog laying next to a cardboard box covered in white paper

“When is it going to be my turn?”


Kids can use white glue (I call it drippy glue) to glue the Dixie cups in each corner of the box.

                                  


Good job, Milo!


Then, on an extra piece of cardboard, trace around the bottom of the box.


White dog laying next to a cardboard box covered in white paper

“I can do it!”


Cut out the rectangle slightly smaller than the traced lines, so that it will fit inside the box easily.


Poke two holes on each side of the cardboard rectangle and poke two more holes near the top of each box flap. 


Cut one pipe cleaner in half.


White dog laying next to a cardboard box covered in white paper, with pipe cleaners and scissors on the ground.

“Why can’t I use the big scissors?”

 

Now the kids can get back to work, poking the cut pipe cleaner pieces through the holes on each side of the cardboard rectangle.



Twist the ends together to make a small handle on each side.


Now poke the long pipe cleaners through the holes on the box flaps, so that you have a big handle on each flap.

 

While the kids make their Miracle Lunch Box pretty by using markers or crayons (and stickers if you have some on hand), make a picnic lunch that they can put inside their Miracle Lunch Box.


Pack the lunch into the bottom of the box.


Cardboard box filled with snacks.

Put the false bottom in place and add 2 fish crackers and 5 square crackers.



I twisted the handles together to help hold the box closed.


Find your picnic spot!


White dog laying on a blanket outside next to a cardboard box that looks like a lunch box.

Ask: What was in the little boy’s lunch that he shared with Jesus?

Open the Miracle Lunch Box and count the 2 little fish and the 5 little loaves of bread.

                                 

  • Hey, I don’t think Milo counted!
  • I’m not sure he deserves this, but I think he looks sorry?

Then say a lunch prayer, blessing the food.


Now it’s time to lift out the false bottom to discover ALL the food inside!


White dog laying on a blanket outside next to a cardboard box that looks like a lunch box.

Talk about how surprised the disciples must have been when Jesus kept handing out more and more food from the little boy’s lunch.


Ask: How do you think the little boy felt after sharing his lunch with Jesus?

Talk about things that they find easy or difficult to share.

 

Hey Kids!


After your picnic lunch is done, you can use your Miracle Lunch Box in other ways.


Perhaps you have some treasure to hide. Or maybe you want to make a surprise for someone.


Keep using your imagination!

 

 
 
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