As we approach Christmas, here is an idea for a simple nativity that preschoolers can touch and explore.  This project came together very quickly, and Owen and Jonathan (ages 4.5 and almost 2) have really enjoyed playing with it.  The hay in the bottom of the tub is what really makes it fun for little hands.

Easy Wooden Peg Nativity

I used wooden pegs for the people, and I decorated them with felt, hot glue, thread, a couple of pipe cleaners, and a sharpie.  And that was it!  The stable is a shoe box covered with brown paper lunch bags.

Easy Wooden Peg Nativity

I used the bottom of a jewelry box for the manger, but Aidan discovered that Mary and Joseph can also hold Baby Jesus if they work together!

Easy Wooden Peg Nativity

For each person, I wrapped some felt around their body and then trimmed the excess around the bottom.  The I hot glued the felt onto the wood, wrapped the felt around, and glued the other end down.  This is what the felt looked like after trimming.  The straight edge goes around the top.

Easy Wooden Peg Nativity

For the shepherd and angel, I added a couple of pipe cleaners for details.

Easy Wooden Peg Nativity

The part that really keeps toddlers engaged is the hay.  I bought a bag of raffia at the craft store, and Owen helped me to cut it up into short segments.  Owen is an especially tactile kind of guy, and he has spent a lot of time playing with the hay – running his fingers through it, filling up the manger, covering the animals and then uncovering them, feeding the animals, etc.  Yesterday he even added a couple of measuring cups to fill with hay!  It has made a minor mess when they play with it, but nothing that the vacuum can’t quickly fix.  (And our rule is that if you are just dumping out the contents of the tub, you are done playing.)

The tub was all set up for Jonathan to explore after his nap, and he loved it!  Especially the baby.

Easy Wooden Peg Nativity

Jonathan has been listening in to our Advent tree devotions, but at his age (23 months), a lot of it is over his head.  This tub is a great way to play with him and talk about the story of Christ’s birth!

3 Comments

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  1. Melissa Deming Dec 15, 2013

    oh, this is adorable! I'll have to look for wooden pegs!!!

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  2. Anna@The Measured Mom Dec 16, 2013

    I think our 23 month old would especially like this if Mary and Joseph could travel by car! We just had an almost identical craft done by the 2nd and 3rd graders at our church's Christmas for Kids event. It's great to see a toddler having fun with it!

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  3. Megan Saben Dec 5, 2014

    This is great! I linked to this post in my review of JESUS IS MOST SPECIAL for those (like me) who don't have a child-friendly nativity set yet. Now all I have to do is make one...
    Thanks!
    http://www.redeemedreader.com/2014/12/jesus-is-most-special-by-sally-michael-illustrated-by-fred-apps

    Reply

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