U Is For Universe – Bible Craft For Preschoolers

Catholic ABC’s Week: 25
Letter of the week: U
Theme: Universe
Saint of the Week: St. Ursula
Craft: Glowing Universe Lamp

This is a super fun craft! The outside looks like this…

But when you put a little battery operated votive inside, it lights up, and casts stars onto your walls! Kids absolutely love this!

Supplies Needed:

• Clear plastic punch cups
• Aluminum foil
• Tooth picks, pencils, skewers, or whatever can punch holes in foil (we also used those cocktail umbrellas to poke holes, u also being for umbrella)
• Clear tape
• Battery operated votive candles (4 for $1 at the Dollar Tree)
• Print out of “U is for Universe” for the front (optional, and unfortunately I don’t have a download to offer you, as the picture I used didn’t belong to me.)
• Towel or thick blanket to spread out
• Dark sheet or blanket to make a “tent” for viewing (optional)

Before class started, I cut the foil into strips of foil that would fit inside the cups, and I cut circles the sizes of the top and bottom of the punch cups. Less cutting during class is always a good thing. If you have trouble figuring out how to cut strips to go into the cups, search google for how to cut fabric to cover a lamp shade. Same concept.

Start by spreading out a towel on the table where the kids will be working. Give them each a strip of foil to fit in the inside of their punch cup, and let them start poking holes for the stars. This is best when they vary in size, so you can use several different things to punch them.

We used primarily cocktail umbrellas to punch the holes go along with the theme of the letter u.

Let them also punch holes in the circle that will go on top.

First, push a circle of foil into the bottom of the cup. Then, wrap the foil strip along the inside of the cup, and hold it in place with a few pieces of tape.

Put your votive candle inside. Use your other foil circle to put on top, and adhere with just one small piece of tape. You’ll be able to open and close the top, using the tape like a hinge, so you can turn your candle on and off.

We taped some paper to the front of ours that said “U is for Universe” to finish it off.

We set up a tent inside of our classroom where the kids could take turns going in and seeing their universe glow. They loved this!

Kids will love making these, and using them as a nightlight. This was one of our favorites. 🙂

For More Resources, including free printable ABC scripture cards and a matching set of Catholic Saint crafts for preschoolers, check out the Catholic ABC’s Offical Resource Page.