Noah and the Ark: Preschool Sunday School Lesson (Ages 3-5)
Ages 3-5 · 30 minutes · free lesson plan · Genesis 6:9-22
Preschoolers hear how God told Noah to build an ark and how Noah listened and obeyed. They play a pairs game, make a paper plate ark and learn Genesis 6:22.
Memory verse
Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he. (Genesis 6:22, KJV)
Lesson objectives
- Children will say that God told Noah to build an ark.
- Children will know that Noah listened to God and obeyed.
- Children will trust that God keeps His people safe.
The full lesson plan
Welcome and Wiggle (4 min)
Setup: Place the box or blanket 'ark' in the corner.
Greet each child by name. Then sing or chant while doing the actions: 'Hammer, hammer, bang, bang, bang. Saw, saw, saw, saw, saw. Noah listened to God!'
Say: Today we will hear about a man named Noah.
Say: God spoke to Noah, and Noah listened.
Say: Let's put on our listening ears. Touch your ears. Good listening!
Say: Now let's hear what God told Noah to do.
God Talks to Noah (5 min)
Tell the story in order. Use actions.
Say: Noah was a just man, and he walked with God. (Walk in place.)
Say: Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth. (Hold up three fingers.)
Say: The earth had become very bad. God told Noah, 'Make an ark.' (Pretend to hammer.)
Say: God told Noah how to make it, with rooms inside and a door in the side. (Draw a door in the air.)
Say: God said a flood was coming. God also said, 'I will keep you safe with My promise.' (Hug yourself.)
Say: Noah would bring his family into the ark. Two of every kind of animal would come too. (Hold up two fingers.)
Say: Noah would also bring food for them all. (Pretend to carry a basket.)
Say: Noah did everything God told him. (Nod.)
Noah Did What God Said (4 min)
Sit in a circle. Hold up a toy hammer or a pair of animals.
Say: God gave Noah a big job. Noah did not skip it.
Say: Noah listened, and then he did what God said.
Say: When we listen to God and do what He says, we are like Noah.
Ask: 'Who told Noah to build the ark?' (God!)
Ask: 'Did Noah listen?' (Yes!)
Say: God made a safe place for Noah. God makes a safe way for us too. Jesus is God's gift to keep us close to Him.
Have children repeat: 'God keeps us safe!'
Pairs Go Into the Ark (5 min)
Setup: Scatter the stuffed animals around the room, with two of each kind. Place the box 'ark' at one end.
Time: 5 minutes.
Steps:
1. Say: 'Noah's helpers, listen!' Give one simple direction at a time, such as 'Find a lion.'
2. Each child walks (no running) to pick up one animal.
3. Say: 'Find its partner!' Children match the pairs.
4. Walk the pair to the ark and place it inside.
5. Finish by saying the verse together: 'Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.' Say it in short pieces and repeat twice.
Safety: Use only large, soft toys. Keep the walking path clear.
Paper Plate Ark (6 min)
Setup: Fold each paper plate in half like a boat, or leave it flat. Pre-cut animal pairs from paper (teacher only). Put a few glue sticks on each table.
Time: 6 minutes.
Steps:
1. Give each child a plate. Help them color it brown like a boat.
2. Let them draw a door on the side.
3. Hand out the paper animal pairs.
4. Help them glue the pairs onto or inside the ark.
5. Write each child's name on the back.
Say: Count your animals. Two by two!
Safety: Use glue sticks only. Teachers do all the cutting. Check for allergies to art supplies. Keep small pieces away from children under 3.
Talk About It (3 min)
Sit together and ask:
1. 'Who talked to Noah?' (God.)
2. 'What did God tell Noah to build?' (An ark, a big boat.)
3. 'Did Noah do what God said?' (Yes, he did.)
4. 'How can we listen to God?' (Obey mom and dad, be kind, pray.)
Praise every answer. If a child is quiet, let them show an answer with an action.
Thank You, God (3 min)
Say: Let's say our verse one more time. 'Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.'
Say: Now fold your hands and close your eyes. Repeat after me.
Prayer: 'Dear God, thank You for keeping Noah safe. Thank You for keeping us safe. Help us to listen to You and obey. In Jesus' name, amen.'
Say: Great job today! Take your ark home and show someone.
Dismiss children one at a time to their parents.
Materials
- Large cardboard box or blanket for a pretend ark
- Stuffed animals (two of several kinds, bigger than a fist)
- Paper plates (one per child)
- Pre-cut paper animal pairs
- Glue sticks
- Crayons
Teacher notes
- Keep the flood gentle for young children. Stress that God kept Noah and his family safe. Do not act out danger.
- Allergy and safety: Check for art-supply allergies and ask parents first. Teachers do all cutting. Keep small pieces and small toys away from children under 3.
- Adaptation: Use picture cards of the story steps for visual learners. Pair a shy or special-needs child with a buddy. Offer a quiet seat for the animal game.
- Background: The ark's measurements are in the text, but they are too abstract for preschoolers, so this lesson leaves them out.
Send it home with parents
Today we heard how God told Noah to build an ark, and Noah did exactly what God said. Children learned that God keeps His people safe and that we show love for God by listening and obeying.
- What did God ask Noah to build?
- What is one thing you can do this week to listen and obey, like Noah?
Build a blanket 'ark' at home. Take turns choosing two stuffed animals to bring in. Say the memory verse together inside.
Each day, when your child obeys the first time, say 'You did what you were told, just like Noah!' Pray together for God's help to listen.
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