Wondering how to teach the bible to toddler and preschool age children? Today, I’ve rounded up our favorite resources for teaching the bible to our 2 and 4 year old children.
We’ve tried several different bibles and bible story books, and we’ve found what works best for toddler and preschool age kids.
So, you can save yourself some money and time and check these out, instead of wasting your money on books that aren’t the best for this age.
How to Teach Bible Lessons to Toddlers and Preschoolers: 9 Favorite Bible Resources for Kids
For this age, I really think it is best to keep it simple and repeat the lessons and stories often. If you go too fast or teach the more complicated stories, your kids won’t know the basics as well.
We start at the beginning, start small, keep it simple, and keep growing and adding more as they are ready.
How do you teach young kids the bible?
I would recommend finding a time of day that works for your family, so you can get into a simple routine.
What about bible stories at breakfast time? You can read while your kiddos eat, and then do a coloring page when they finish.
Or, at snack time? Set up a snack tray and a basket with your materials.
Or after dinner as a whole family? Clear the table after dinner and get everyone involved in some great family time.
Having a bible basket is a great way to keep your materials organized, and easy to grab when you are ready to have your lesson together.
Your kids might sit and lesson better if they are having a snack, or a coloring page to work on while they listen.
9 Favorite Bible Resources for Kids:
Here are the bible resources I have loved the most teaching our young kids the bible stories and lessons.
I hope you find the helpful for your toddler, preschool, and early elementary aged kids, too.
Here are my favorite ways to teach toddlers and preschoolers Bible stories:
1. The Beginner’s Bible (with coloring book)
This bible has been wonderful for my kids and the kids I’ve taught in Sunday School.
All of the major bible stories are included, and some have more than one chapter for each story. This has been a great way to break the lessons up into manageable chunks appropriate for this age.
The text is clear and simple, and the illustrations and inviting for children and clearly describe what’s happening in the story.
This is my go-to bible for most lessons.
I also love The Beginner’s Bible coloring book, however it does not contain a coloring page for each story – just a few coloring page options for the major stories of the bible. The coloring pages are simple and fun, and have been a great addition to our story time.
You can get The Beginner’s Bible here (updated copy with different illustrations).
You can get The Beginner’s Bible coloring book here.
This is a great place to start, and really all you need at the age if you just want to read the stories with your kids.
Here’s an inside look at the bible:
And here’s a look at the inside of the coloring book:
I make copies of the pages, so I can use it over and over again!
2. The Preschooler’s Bible
This is another great bible for preschool age children. It includes all the major stories with simple text and beautiful pictures.
The wording in this one is more conversational that The Beginner’s Bible with simple questions, telling who is obeying, or how the people might be feeling.
You can get The Preschooler’s Bible here.
And here’s a peek inside The Preschooler’s Bible:
I always like to see a sample of something to know what it’s really like!
3. My First Hands-On Bible
This is a new one for us, but I am loving it. I would say it’s a little more advanced for the toddler age kids, and more appropriate for preschool, pre-kindergarten and early elementary age kids.
This bible includes the major stories with really fun illustrations, and lots of actual text taken straight from the bible. It summarizes, but also includes “real” bible passages.
Each story has a few handprints along the way, with a side note that tells a fun short activity to try, or a question to ask the kids.
For example, in the story of creation, it said to have the kids turn the light off and say “In the beginning it was dark”, and then turn the light on and say, “Then God said, let there be light. My kids LOVED that and still do that daily.
At the end of each story, there is a short prayer, a couple of discussion questions, and a couple of activities to further the lesson.
It’s been a great way for us to discuss the lessons further, and bring the stories to life.
You can get the My First Hands-On Bible here.
And here are a couple of samples from the My First Hands-On Bible:
4. Bible Stories to Read + Bible Pictures to Color
If you want a simple workbook style program to follow, the Bible Stories to Read paperback book and the activity book that goes with it, Bible Pictures to Color is a wonderful choice. These are from Christian Light and a really great resource.
The Bible Stories to Read book has simple to read bible stories, and some follow up questions to strengthen the child’s understanding. There is also a bible verse to learn.
The coloring book that goes along with the stories, Bible Pictures to Color, has simple coloring pages that correspond perfectly with the stories.
This is a great program to add to your preschool, pre-kindergarten, or kindergarten homeschool work.
You can find the Bible Stories to Read book here.
You can find the Bible Pictures to Color book here.
Here’s a look in the Bible Stories to Read book:
Here’s a look inside the Bible Pictures to Color book:
If you are wanting a bible program for homeschooling, I am using this Bible 101 set from Christian Light with my 4.5 year old. It’s listed under Grade 1, but it’s worked really well for us.
5. The Beginner’s Bible books
We have Noah’s Ark and Stories About Jesus. These are great to really focus on specific stories.
You can make a whole week out of these books, and incorporate crafts, coloring pages, and fun activities to really drive home the lesson.
I believe some of my copies are outdated, but you can search for these type story books here.
6. VeggieTales Very Veggie Devos for Little Ones
This is a wonderful devotional book for toddler and preschool ages. It’s simple to understand, fun to look at, and includes a great devotional and prayer that young kids can follow along with.
A devotional book is a great way to bring the bible into our lives and learn more about God. I love the simple prayers that kids can learn overtime, as well.
You can get the VeggieTales Very Veggie Devos for Little Ones here.
And here’s a look inside to see how fun this VeggieTales devotional is:
7. The One Year Devotions for Preschoolers
This devotional book follows a group of kids, and includes great lessons, beautiful pictures, a bible verse, and a short prayer each day.
This is a one-year devotional, so it goes along with the calendar if you prefer that format.
You can spark some great questions with this book!
Get The One Year Devotions for Preschoolers here.
You can see a sample page of The One Year Devotions for Preschoolers here:
8. First Virtues 12 Stories for Toddlers
This book has 12 stories with a different animal, character trait, and a story to go along with it.
This is a great way to teach children about being patient, obeying, being a good friend, and so many other great traits.
Each story has a bible verse to go with it. You could read one story a week, and focus on that bible verse and character trait for the week.
You can get the First Virtues 12 Stories for Toddlers here.
And here’s a look inside:
9. Abeka Bible Verse Picture Cards
I have been using these with my pre-kindergarten child and they have been a wonderful tool to help her remember bible verses.
We just work on one at a time with our homeschool work, until she has memorized it, then I go to the next one.
One side has a beautiful picture, and the other has a verse on it.
You can find these bible verse memory cards here.
What should I pick to teach my toddler and preschooler the bible?
Decide which of the above resources most interests you, and aligns with how you want to teach the bible lessons.
Do you want to keep it super simple? Just grab The Beginner’s Bible and coloring book.
Want a program that fits with your homeschool time? Try the Bible Stories to Read and Bible Pictures to Color books.
Eager to go a little deeper? Add a devotional like the VeggieTales one.
Want to teach bible verses to your older preschooler or pre-k kid? Grab the bible verse picture cards.
How do I get started teaching my kids the bible?
1.Choose a time of day that works best for your family: breakfast, snack time, after dinner, etc.
2. Set up a basket with your materials (bible, memory verse cards, devotional book, coloring pages and crayons, etc.)
3. Commit to it. Work with your children multiple times a week. You can teach the same lesson all week, or work through the beginner’s bible one story at a time.
4. Keep adding as your children grow and learn. As you see they are ready for more, add a devotional, or ask more questions with the Hands-On bible.
You can teach your kids the bible, Mama!
You can do this! Get you a basket, add your materials, and make it a fun time that you and your kids look forward to.
Add some snacks or special treats to your basket, so this is an enjoyable time that you can sit, relax, and learn together.
You’ve got this, Mama!
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