Exile and Restoration Bible Crafts for Sunday School Kids
In this post, you will find:
A simple retelling of the story of Israel’s exile and restoration.
4 printable Exile and Restoration Bible crafts (Jeremiah in the Cistern, Ezekiel’s Valley of Dry Bones, Daniel in the Lions’ Den, and the Restoration of Worship).
Discussion questions and Bible verses for each activity.
A free, printable Bible coloring page featuring Jeremiah 29:14.
The story of Israel’s exile and restoration is filled with difficult moments, powerful promises, and reminders of God’s faithfulness. Even when Jerusalem was destroyed and God’s people were taken far from home, God did not abandon them. He continued to speak through His prophets, protect those who trusted Him, and promise that His people would one day return.
These printable Exile and Restoration Bible crafts help children explore four important stories from this period of Bible history: Jeremiah in the Cistern, Ezekiel and the Valley of Dry Bones, Daniel in the Lions’ Den, and the rebuilding of worship after the exile.
They are great for Sunday School, children’s church, homeschool Bible lessons, Christian classrooms, and Old Testament Bible units.
Click below to skip to the resource you’d like:
The Bible Story of Exile and Restoration
For many years, God sent prophets to warn the people of Judah to turn away from sin and return to Him.
One of these prophets was Jeremiah. Jeremiah faithfully delivered God’s message, but many people did not want to listen. At one point, officials accused Jeremiah of discouraging the people and had him lowered into a deep cistern.
There was no water in the cistern, but Jeremiah sank into the mud. He was left there until Ebed-Melek bravely asked the king for permission to rescue him. Jeremiah was lifted out with ropes and old cloths.
Eventually, Jerusalem was conquered by Babylon, and many of the people were taken into exile.
During this difficult period, God continued to speak through His prophets.
The prophet Ezekiel received a vision of a valley filled with dry bones. God asked Ezekiel whether the bones could live again. Ezekiel spoke the words God gave him, and the bones came together. Flesh covered them, and God breathed life into them.
The vision was a message of hope. God’s people felt as though everything had been lost, but God promised that He could restore them and give them new life.
Another person living during the exile was Daniel. Daniel served in a foreign kingdom but continued to worship God faithfully.
When a law was made that temporarily prohibited prayer to anyone except the king, Daniel continued to pray to God. Because of this, he was thrown into a den of lions.
God sent His angel and shut the mouths of the lions. Daniel was protected because he trusted God.
Years later, God allowed His people to return from exile. They began the work of rebuilding their community and restoring worship.
The people rebuilt the altar and once again offered sacrifices to God. Later, the Temple and the walls of Jerusalem were also rebuilt.
God had not forgotten His people.
Through the prophets, He had promised that exile would not last forever. Jeremiah recorded God’s promise:
“I will bring you back from captivity.”
— Jeremiah 29:14
The story of exile and restoration reminds children that even during difficult times, God remains faithful. He can bring hope where things appear hopeless and restore what has been broken.
Jeremiah in the Cistern Craft
The Jeremiah in the Cistern Craft tells the story of the prophet Jeremiah being lowered into a muddy cistern because people did not want to hear his message.
Children can color and assemble the interactive craft, then move Jeremiah up and down inside the cistern. The activity gives children a memorable visual for the story of Jeremiah’s courage and rescue.
Jeremiah faced opposition because he faithfully spoke the message God had given him. Even when people rejected his words and treated him badly, he continued his work as a prophet.
The story also introduces children to Ebed-Melek, who showed courage and compassion by speaking up for Jeremiah and helping rescue him.
Best for: Kindergarten and elementary children
Lesson theme: Courage and remaining faithful to God
Bible passage: Jeremiah 38:1–13
Discussion question: Why was it difficult for Jeremiah to continue sharing God’s message?
Ezekiel and the Valley of Dry Bones Craft
The Valley of Dry Bones Craft illustrates one of the most memorable visions in the Book of Ezekiel.
Children can color and assemble the scene showing Ezekiel beside the valley. The interactive design helps children visualize the transformation from dry bones to living people.
God showed Ezekiel a valley filled with bones and asked:
“Son of man, can these bones live?”
Ezekiel answered that God alone knew the answer.
God told Ezekiel to speak to the bones. They came together, were covered with flesh, and finally received breath and came to life.
The vision represented the people of Israel. They believed their hope was gone, but God promised that He could restore them.
Best for: Kindergarten and elementary children
Lesson theme: God gives hope and can restore what seems lost
Bible passage: Ezekiel 37:1–14
Discussion question: What did the dry bones represent in Ezekiel’s vision?
Daniel in the Lions’ Den Craft
The Daniel in the Lions’ Den Craft helps children remember how Daniel remained faithful to God while living in exile.
Children can color and assemble the scene showing Daniel safely surrounded by lions. The craft provides a visual way to discuss Daniel’s commitment to prayer and his trust in God.
Daniel knew that praying to God could lead to punishment, but he continued his regular practice of prayer.
Because of this, Daniel was thrown into the lions’ den. God sent an angel to shut the lions’ mouths, and Daniel was not harmed.
Daniel’s story is an important part of the exile period because it shows that God’s people could remain faithful to Him even while living far from Jerusalem.
Best for: Preschool, kindergarten, and elementary children
Lesson theme: Trusting God and remaining faithful
Bible passage: Daniel 6:10–23
Discussion question: Why did Daniel continue to pray even though he knew it was dangerous?
Restoration of Worship Craft
The Restoration of Worship Craft focuses on the return of God’s people from exile and the rebuilding of their spiritual life.
Children can color and assemble the scene showing the people gathering around the rebuilt altar.
After returning to Jerusalem, one of the first important things the people did was rebuild the altar and begin worshiping God again.
The city was still damaged, and the Temple had not yet been completely rebuilt, but the people began restoring worship.
This story helps children understand that the return from exile was not only about returning to a place. It was also about restoring the people’s relationship with God and rebuilding their community.
Best for: Kindergarten and elementary children
Lesson theme: Returning to God and beginning again
Bible passage: Ezra 3:1–6
Discussion question: Why do you think rebuilding the altar was so important to the people?
Free “I Will Bring You Back from Captivity” Coloring Page
The free Exile and Restoration coloring page features the words:
I Will Bring You Back from Captivity
Jeremiah 29:14
The large outlined letters give children plenty of room to color.
The illustrations around the verse represent important stories and themes from the period of exile and restoration, including a cistern, bones, a lion, scrolls, the floating axe head imagery from the prophetic period, and symbols connected with Jerusalem and return.
This verse summarizes the central message of the collection: exile was not the end of the story. God promised that His people would return.
The coloring page reminds children that God remained faithful to His promises even during a long and difficult period.
This coloring page works well as:
- An opening activity while children arrive
- A quiet activity during the Bible story
- An option for younger children
- A take-home reminder of the lesson
- A free printable for parents and Sunday School teachers
