Shavuot Kids Crafts

Here are kids crafts and activities for the Biblical holiday of Shavuot or Pentecost. As a believer in Messiah, Shavuot is a time to remember and celebrate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2. Crafts related to the Holy Spirit or fruit of the Spirit are appropriate for Shavuot, as well as things like the ten commandments, story of Ruth, loaves of bread, or even the number 50! Making crafts like these can be fun and memorable ways for kids to learn about what the Bible says and celebrate this Biblical holiday!

Please note that I am recommending the craft, and not necessarily every detail of the lesson that goes with it. The crafts are great starting points, and I'm sure we can come up with appropriate Biblical lessons to go with them if needed. If you're not sure what that lesson could be - please reach out!

Shavuot kids crafts:

Fire Headbands for Pentecost from Crafting the Word of God

Fruit of the Spirit Necklace from Mrs. Jones' Creation Station

Ruth Barley Harvest Bookmark from Jesus Without Language 

White Dove from Crafting the Word of God

Parable of the Banquet Guests from Jesus Without Language

Pentecost Coloring Page from Crafting the Word of God

Ten Commandments Gummies from Land of Honey

Acts 2 Fire Sun Catchers from Crafting the Word of God

Bread of Life Pinwheel from Jesus Without Language

Acts 2 Flame Spinners from Jesus Without Language

Ten Commandments craft from Mrs. Jones' Creation Station

Ruth Harvest Basket from Jesus Without Language

If you're struggling to come up with a lesson regarding a certain craft, please comment below and we can all share ideas to encourage each other!

More Shavuot fun:
DIY Shavuot Basket
Celebrating the Fruit of the Spirit at Shavuot
Shavuot Surprise Gift Exchange Game

The Beginner's Guide to the Biblical Holidays

This post is an overview of the Biblical holidays from Scripture, explaining what the holidays are according to passages like Leviticus 23, and Deuteronomy 16. These are not traditional Christian holidays like Easter and Christmas, but rather set apart times created by the Living God. We will go over the basics of each holiday from Passover to Shavuot to the Feast of Tabernacles, what happened on them historically and what they symbolize.

In addition to the weekly Sabbath, there are seven different holidays that we are instructed by Scripture to set apart. These times are special, and not only because we are told to celebrate them. Each holiday has significance historically, prophetically, and in the life of the Messiah. Paul wrote in Colossians that these times are a shadow of things to come. That means we have a lot to learn from these holidays.

The Biblical holidays are:

Passover
Feast of Unleavened Bread
First Fruits

The Feast of Weeks / Shavuot / Pentecost

Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah

Day of Covering / Day of Atonement / Yom Kippur

Feast of Tabernacles / Sukkot

While specific dates are given in Scripture, the Biblical calendar doesn't mesh perfectly with the Gregorian so the dates move a bit each year. Land of Honey posts the dates for the upcoming holidays at the beginning of each year.

Please note that Bible holidays are for Bible believers. 

Many people are under the mistaken belief that the holidays that YHWH instructed us to keep were somehow only for the Jewish people, but that idea is not supported by Scripture. Deuteronomy 16:14 expressly tells us that foreigners who join the community of YHWH's people should celebrate these days too, so no matter your background, ethnicity, or family traditions the Creator invites you to these times.

When we learn about each Biblical holiday, we learn more about Scripture. It's truly stunning how much meaning is jam-packed into each of these times. And studying these holidays means we remember what YHWH did on these days. The holidays are, as N.T. Wright says, 'kingdom moments' and God has always performed amazing miracles on these days throughout history. Celebrating these holidays is celebrating what God has done.

A brief overview of the set apart times:

Passover: In the Biblical year Passover is the very first feast. We see the Israelites keep Passover just before the Egyptian exodus. They were instructed to brush the doors of their homes with blood from a lamb, we are reminded that the Messiah was the perfect sacrificial lamb. That's not just an allegory either, Yahusha was killed on Passover. 

The Feast of Unleavened Bread: This is a week long celebration that starts the day after Passover. Leavened/yeast bread and other products are forbidden this week. As yeast is a very small ingredient that rabidly transforms all the dough, we are reminded that the small things in our life make a huge impact. And this lack of leaven reminds us to purge the sin from our lives, which is made possible through the Messiah's sacrifice.

First Fruits: This day happens the day after the Sabbath during the week of Unleavened Bread. This is when the first of the barley harvest was to be presented before YHWH. First Fruits is the day the Messiah resurrected from the dead and presented himself to the Father. It is also when we are to start counting fifty days.

Feast of Weeks: Fifty days after First Fruits we are to celebrate Shavuot. This is a day of great significance as the instructions on how to live were given at Mount Sinai and then shortly after the Messiah's ascension into heaven, the Holy Spirit was given on the day of Shavuot. The Feast of Weeks is a celebration of having God's word and the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Feast of Trumpets: The first of the fall feasts, Yom Teruah means something like Day of Sounding. All those verses that talk about a trumpet sounding when the Messiah returns? It will happen on that day. Perhaps the most joyous time in history will be on Yom Teruah at the return of the Messiah!

Yom Kippur: Under the Levitical priesthood this was a very significant day because it's the day that the priests made atonement for all of Israel's sin with the two goats. Today we can celebrate that the Messiah has atoned for our sins. Prophetically, it is thought that this will be the day that the earth is judged and the people who have been atoned for by Messiah will be separated from those who have not.

Feast of Tabernacles: This is a beautiful look ahead to when YHWH will dwell or camp with us. With that in mind, it's no surprise that it is believed the Messiah was born during this time. This eight day celebration usually looks like a camping trip, with the commandment being to dwell in tents. Others build a temporary structure on their property and spend time there throughout Sukkot. We reflect on this world being a temporary place for us, while we look forward to the day when the Messiah returns to dwell with his people!

Related posts:
Why the Bible Holidays are for All Believers
Reasons Why Believers Should Keep the Feasts
Why I Started Celebrating the Biblical Holidays

The Beginner's Guide to Shavuot

Taking part in the Creator's set apart time of Shavuot is an option for you, even if it's not something you have ever done before! The Biblical holidays were given to all believers, regardless of ethnicity or nationality, and they are a joy to take part in. I believe that the Creator communicates much to us through these special times, and that our faith will grow by participating in them. Here's how to get started.

What you need to know about Shavuot:

-It is a one day holiday that happens fifty days after First Fruits.

-It is considered a Sabbath and we are not to work on it.

-This holiday is sometimes called Pentecost or the Feast of Weeks.

-The phrase, "counting of the omer," regards the counting of the fifty days leading up to Shavuot after the holiday of First Fruits, which is shortly after Passover.

-Biblically, Shavuot happens at the time of the wheat harvest, and Scripture instructs two loaves of bread to be presented to YHWH as an offering. This is a visual reminder of YHWH's provision for his people.

-It is a time for feasting, rejoicing, worship, and celebration.

Spiritual significance of Shavuot:

-Shavuot is the day of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that happened in Acts 2. Believers were baptized in the Holy Spirit on a widescale that day.

-The giving of the Holy Spirit and the giving of the Torah (commandments or instructions of the Bible) - are both celebrated at this time.

-It is directly connected to the Messiah's resurrection, since the counting of the omer leading up to Shavuot starts on First Fruits - the day Yahusha rose from the grave.

-As the fourth Biblical holiday of the year, Shavuot can be viewed as the middle lamp of the menorah - the part connecting Heaven and earth. We see the written Torah and the Holy Spirit as Heaven coming to earth.

-The bringing of two loaves of bread is a reminder of YHWH's physical provision in our lives, as well as spiritual provision through the Holy Spirit. Shavuot reminds us that YHWH is the one who supplies our needs.

How to observe Shavuot:

-Take the day off from work, errands, homework, and household chores, so that you can rest and honor YHWH with your full attention.

-Take joy in worshiping YHWH, and studying the Bible. This is a great opportunity to go over the ten commandments with family, or to host a Bible study. Attend service at a congregation if possible.

-Invite the Holy Spirit into your mind, relationships, home, etc. Ask YHWH for a fresh outpouring and insight into how you can be a clean temple that is fit for his presence. Pray about if you need to change your thinking to be more align with the truth of Scripture, or if you have ungodly habits or addictions that need to be healed. You could also take inventory of your home and make sure the movies, books, decorations, etc. are honoring to the Living God.

-Consider being baptized in water. This can be symbolic of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, or you can view it as rededicating yourself to the Messiah and following his ways.

-Have two loaves of bread. Scripture talks about presenting a wave offering of two loaves of bread. A day or two before Shavuot, make or purchase bread as a celebration of the physical and spiritual provision in your life. You could go with a regular loaf or try something intriguing from an artisan bakery. Whatever kind of bread you like is appropriate for this - it could be sourdough, brioche, focaccia, rye, or gluten-free if needed. 

-Enjoy a special meal. It doesn't have to be fancy or a lot of work! Invite friends to join you for a potluck. If you want to stick with the bread theme, a build-your-own sandwich bar or different types of bruschetta would be fabulous. Or slice up that bread and serve cheese board style, with fruits, dips, fresh veggies, and other relishes. Dairy products and honey are traditionally served at Shavuot, as reminders of the "land of milk and honey," and the richness and sweetness of the word of YHWH. Having ice cream sundaes for dinner would be extremely memorable for kids, or try one of these recipes for dessert.

There is some learning curve when you start to observe a new holiday, so give yourself grace about that. It takes time to get used to celebrating the feasts of the Creator and next year it will seem more natural and be even more fun! The Living God is honored by your efforts to take part in his set apart times!

More about the Biblical holiday of Shavuot:

Seven Ways to Celebrate Shavuot
Shavuot Scripture Reading List
Questions and Answers on Shavuot

Shavuot Surprise Gift Exchange Game

At Shavuot we celebrate the giving of both the Torah and instructions for living, and the giving of the Holy Spirit. Giving our own gift to someone else can be a fun way for believers to commemorate these significant gifts from the Creator. Note that giving gifts at any of the holidays is not a commandment; this is strictly optional and meant to be an enjoyable activity to make Shavuot special or memorable. It always brings out the laughs at our congregation!

Shavuot Surprise Gift Exchange Game

This is played similarly to white elephant or Yankee Swap gift exchanges. You can play this with your congregation, Bible study, family, or even coworkers if you'd like! Often gag gifts are given during white elephants. You could go that route if you wanted, but our congregation likes to give inexpensive gifts that are still nice. Set a dollar limit per gift and make sure everyone playing is aware of that. Setting the limit at $5 or $10 has worked well for us - no one expects the gifts to be amazing, and it takes the pressure off having to find something that a specific person will definitely like. The expense is low enough that it's not a financial stress for most people to participate.

Gift ideas:
Chocolate bar
Small plant
Refrigerator magnet with Bible verse
Handmade soap bar
Mug
Ingredients for a recipe
Handmade greeting cards
Framed Bible verse
Dried herbs
Homemade cookies, etc.
Bible book tabs
Kitchen towel
Stickers

To play the game:

Have each person bring their gift wrapped up. Place the wrapped items in the center of your group - on the floor or a table.

Assign numbers to each participant - we opt to draw them out of a hat. There should be the same number of gifts and participants. (If you're hosting, think about having an extra gift or two in case someone forgets or you have an unexpected visitor.)

The person with number one gets to choose one gift to open. The next person can opt to 'steal' that gift from them, or choose a new one to open. If a gift is stolen from player one, then they get to choose another gift to open. Once that round is settled, it's on to player three, and so on. A gift can only be stolen once per round. Once a gift is stolen three times it cannot be stolen again - so strategy is part of the fun!

Once everyone has a gift, player one can opt to steal from someone else or to keep the gift they have. Player one's decision is the final round.

This game would work well at any of the Biblical holidays, and can be easily modified as you see fit!

More on the Shavuot:
Reasons Why Believers Should Keep the Biblical Holidays
Shavuot Provision: Celebrating Enough
DIY Shavuot Basket

Questions and Answers on Shavuot

I want to take the time to address some frequently asked questions about the Biblical set apart time of Shavuot, and how it pertains to us as believers in Messiah.

Are Shavuot and Pentecost the same thing?

The words Shavuot and Pentecost are used interchangeably in Scripture. Shavuot is the Hebrew word for "Feast of Weeks," whereas Pentecost is Greek for "fiftieth." Both are referring to the set apart time that happens fifty days after the counting of the omer begins during the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

Of course, different people mean different things by each, but in Scripture they are the same.

Is Shavuot a Sabbath day?Yes, Shavuot is no-work day, and should be treated like the weekly Sabbath. So avoid professional work, shopping, home maintenance, etc. More information on no-work days can be found here.

How do you celebrate it? This is my first year celebrating the feast days.To anyone celebrating for the first time - yay! - I am so proud of you for taking this step of faith and cheering you on as you do it!Take the pressure off of yourself to do everything perfectly and shoot to have a nice day of rest, while remembering the incredible gifts we have been given - the written word and the Holy Spirit!Have some good food, read your Bible, get together with other believers if possible, give an offering to YHWH, give gifts if you wish, pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and make or buy two loaves of bread to remember YHWH's abundant provision that we celebrate during this time.

What day is it?It varies depending on what calendar you go by, but most people will celebrate Shavuot from the evening of May 25 to the evening of May 27. Others will celebrate it May 28. (These dates are for 2023!) Shavuot always happens fifty days after the First Fruits offering after Passover.

What kind of bread or other foods do you make?I like to make strawberry salad or strawberry shortcake! Strawberries are great in my area at this time of year and I like the reminder of the fruit of the Spirit!Milk and honey are often used to symbolize the sweetness of Scripture in our lives, so desserts like cheesecake or fruit tarts are popular as well. See this post for milk and honey dessert recipes!

I also think it's fun to do two loaves of bread of any kind in honor of Leviticus 23:17 that says to offer two loaves to YHWH. This is a great reminder that he provides more than enough for our needs. You could make or buy fancy breads made with herbs or olives or cheese or you an ultimate make your own grilled cheese bar, with lots of different cheeses, veggies, and condiments! Babka is another fun bread for Shavuot.

What Bible passages are good for this time?Great things to study during Shavuot would be the covenant, and the Holy Spirit. The book of Ruth is traditionally studied at this time of year. Leviticus 23:15-21, Acts 2, 1 Corinthians 12, Exodus 20:1-17, and Galatians 5:22 are some of my favorites.

Here are some more verses to check out! See this post.

What do you do to celebrate?Take the day off work, spend time with loved ones, talk about the ways you have seen the Holy Spirit at work in your life, read Acts 2, go see wheat being harvested if possible, make a big fruit salad to symbolize the fruit of the Spirit, get immersed, host a Bible study!

What verses tell us that believers in Messiah should observe the feasts?Exodus 34:22 - "You shall observe the festival of Shavuot."We should celebrate Shavuot because Scripture tells us to! Nowhere in Scripture does it tell us that the set apart times are done away with! This post goes into more details about why we as believers in Messiah should keep the feasts.

Or as Torah Sisters says: the giving of the law and the giving of the Spirit are big deals!

When do we actually start counting?Scripture instructs us to count fifty days and then celebrate Shavuot. Our starting point for that is the Sunday after Passover, which is known as First Fruits. This is the day the Messiah rose from the grave!

Ways to celebrate with toddlers?Crafts and Bible stories around the fruit of the Spirit, the giving of the Holy Spirit, and the ten commandments are all very appropriate!Bible Pathway Adventures has free activity and coloring sheets for kids too!

Does the lamp stand all over the Bible have any significance with this?The lamp stand that the Bible talks about is a seven branched menorah! This correlates with the seven Biblical holidays.

How to celebrate?This is a day to remember the giving of Scripture and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit! I enjoy getting together at a lake with other believers (the lake is a great opportunity for immersion), we share a meal and read/discuss Bible stories related to these times.I also like finding ways to 'give the word' to others - sharing a printable Bible verse, memorizing a passage to share with others, gathering Bibles to donate etc.

What is the meaning of it?On Shavuot we remember both the giving of the written word and commandments, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2. It is also a time when we celebrate that YHWH provides for our needs! Shavuot happens when wheat is being harvested. During Bible times, wheat was a significant part of the daily diet, and the harvest being brought in was a tangible reminder of YHWH providing for them! On Shavuot we look back at the ways YHWH provided in Scripture and in our own lives.
More on Shavuot:
Celebrating the Fruit of the Spirit at Shavuot
Shavuot Provision
Seven Ways to Celebrate Shavuot

Celebrating the Fruit of the Spirit at Shavuot

Here's a great theme idea for Shavuot: fruit! Since Shavuot is a celebration of the giving of the Holy Spirit (as well as the giving of the Torah), what better time to celebrate the fruit of the Spirit?

Galatians 5:22-23 tells us the the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self control. Take time to reflect on these and where you're seeing fruit in your life. And then consider incorporating fruit into your celebration of the Biblical holiday of Shavuot! 

DIY Fruit Slice Balloons from Studio DIY

Fruit Pizza from Pinch of Yum

Fruit Infused Water from Studio DIY

Dragon Fruit Soap Popsicles from A Beautiful Mess

Fruit Slice Cakes from Studio DIY

Agua Fresca from Cookie and Kate

DIY Fruit Necklaces from Sugar & Cloth

Tropical Papaya Bowls from Minimalist Baker

DIY Fruit Balloon Garland from Studio DIY

Strawberry Salsa from Cookie and Kate

DIY Foldable Paper Strawberry Garland from Studio DIY

Fruit Honeycombs from The House That Lars Built

Lemon Ginger Fruit Salad from A Beautiful Mess

DIY Fruit Koozies from Sugar & Cloth

DIY Fruit-Inspired Mini Party Hats from Studio DIY

May the fruit of the Holy Spirit be seen in your life!

Want to learn more about Shavuot and the other Biblical holidays?
-Here's an introduction of the Biblical holidays.
-What is Shavuot all about?
-Shavuot is found in the New Testament!
-Learn about ideas for celebrating Shavuot here.
-These Scriptures are great to read at Shavuot.