Nativity Felt Board
I just love being able to get out this fabulous felt board set each Christmas. My sister-in-law made it for my kids a couple of years ago. The board is a simple mdf square, and the background felt is attached with velcro dots. All of the characters are cut from craft felt. (If fiddling with felt pieces is not for you, check out my friend Narelle‘s suggestion for making nativity felt board characters using printables.)
There are many, many Christmas carols that tell the story of Jesus’ birth, so we often sing as we play. This is a very natural way for children to learn, and an excellent way of reinforcing the story. You don’t have to be a brilliant vocalist – just have a go! If you’re really not confident though stick a CD on in the background.
My daughter’s favourite song to sing with the felt board is Colin Buchanan’s “On That Very First Christmas” (from the album King of Christmas which you can purchase here for $19.95 or at any Christian bookstore). It’s an upbeat, toddler-friendly song with lots of repetition and an easy tune.
Mary and Joseph go to Bethlehem, Bethlehem, Bethlehem,
Mary and Joseph go to Bethlehem, On that very first Christmas.
Baby Jesus born that night, born that night, born that night,
Baby Jesus born that night, on that very first Christmas.
Wise men come to worship him…
Shepherds told that the king is born…
Angels singing glory to God…
***
Have carols started on high rotation in your house yet? What songs do your kids know that tell the story of the first Christmas?
So clever, will be heading over to Narelles page now too!
Is the song to the tune of There was a princess long ago?
Rizoleey´s last blog ..Apparently we are now living inside a grade 1 classroom!
@Rizoleey… Nicole it’s not the same tune, but I just tried it out and you could make it work with the princess long ago tune!!
Lots of carols here in our house – sung, on piano, on flute, in the car…..
Love this nativity.
Could you share it on my Nativity Set Carnival on 21 December? I had/will have again (!) a bloggy button for it ….. having “issues” with blogger today
Wow your sister in law is talented, what a beautiful felt set.
Narelle Nettelbeck´s last blog ..Marriage Challenge 2 ~ Many Mini Challenges!
I have a hand knitted nativity set but I haven’t got it out for Immy just yet, the children I used to teach loved it.
Christie @ Childhood 101´s last blog ..Everyday Glamour: Finding My Inner Yogini
I saw a felt nativity in Aldi earlier this year. They had other ones – I came back with the girly sleepover, the knights and dragons and the space one.
Aldi has some great toys!
Such a special story to share with your children Catherine and a lovely way to tell it too.
Busy Brissy Mum´s last blog ..Mini Chocolate Christmas Puddings
So glad the kids love it
Cath, I still have the patterns I made for the pieces in storage back in Brissie so maybe if you wanted to you could make them available to any of your readers who might be interested next Christmas!
@Karla
That would be awesome! We’ll turn it into a downloadable pdf for readers next year. Thank you!!
I love nativity sets and collect them for inside and outdoors. They are a great way to show your Christmas spirit throughout the holidays.
AJ @ Outdoor Nativity Sets´s last blog ..Do Follow Blog, Comment Luv, Keyword Luv, Top Commenters
That is a beautiful felt nativity! I’ve looked at some felt sets for my site and this rivals any of them.
And yes – sing! Sing with your kids as much as you can. They will remember that!
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