Children's Activities About Saint Peter

Saint Peter was an amazing man: a disciple of Christ, a compassionate teacher and an inspiration to millions of people. Peter, though, was also human, with human weaknesses. That dichotomy is one thing that makes Peter such a great subject for teaching children--the idea that God can use each of us, even though we have weaknesses. These activities about Saint Peter can be adapted to children of all ages.

Children might not be able to walk on water like Jesus did, or like he instructed Peter to do in Matthew 14:22-23, but they can learn about the miracle. Provide plastic toy boats for your kids to float in a sink or small pool. Talk about how Peter could only walk on water when he kept his eyes on Jesus and how he began to sink as soon as he took his focus off of Christ. Push a boat beneath the surface of the water and talk about what truly kept Peter walking on water.

Jesus told Peter that by the time the rooster crowed, Peter would deny knowing Jesus three times. Mark 14:66-72 tells the story of how it came to be. Give each child a rooster cut out of either of plywood or cardboard. Set out beans of all shapes, sizes and types, and allow children to glue them to their roosters until it's covered with colorful beans. Tell the children that even though Peter's denial was something he was ashamed of, he repented, God forgave him, and he went on to have a meaningful life and ministry.

Acts 3:1-9 tells the story of Peter and John passing by a lame beggar. Peter tells the man he has no money for him but gives him the gift of healing. This is a great lesson for children to learn about gifts that really matter. A new child in school would rather have the gift of friendship than a gift of money. Another child in the neighborhood would rather be included in a game than given a toy. Write names of neighborhood children or other kids your children know on small slips of paper and place the names in a bowl. Have each child draw a name. Ask the children to think of one nice thing they can do for the child whose name they drew.

Re-enact Acts 12:1-18, when an angel comes to Peter in jail and helps him escape. Use a large appliance or moving box to make a "jail," complete with a door, window and bars. Allow the children to take turns pretending to be Peter and the angel sent from God.