Hey there! So, you’re looking for some Mary and Martha activities for kids? I totally get it. Teaching this particular Bible story can be a bit of a balancing act, right? On one hand, you’ve got Martha, the ultimate doer, stressing over the perfect meal. On the other, you’ve got Mary, chilling at Jesus’ feet, soaking it all in. And we’re left wondering, “Which one am I today?” (Spoiler: most days, I’m Martha with a to-do list a mile long).
I’ve been teaching this story to my own kids and in Sunday school for years, and I’ve learned that the only way to make it stick is to get them doing stuff. Not just sitting there listening to me talk. So, I’ve rounded up my top seven favorite activities that actually work. These aren’t just crafts to kill time; they’re designed to help kids (and let’s be honest, us parents too) understand the real point: prioritizing time with Jesus.
Ready to have some fun? Let’s get into it.
Why This Story is a Goldmine for Kids
Before we jump into the activities, I gotta say why I love this particular story from Luke 10:38-42. On the surface, it looks like a simple tale about a dinner party gone wrong. But underneath, it’s a lesson about our hearts.
Kids totally understand the feeling of being busy. They have school, chores, soccer practice, and piano lessons. They know what it’s like to be distracted. This story gives them permission to slow down and realize that just being with Jesus is the most important thing. It’s a game-changer for their little spiritual lives.
1. The “Busy vs. Blessed” Sorting Game
This is hands-down the best way to introduce the concept to younger kids. It’s visual, it’s tactile, and it gets them thinking without feeling like a lecture.
What You’ll Need:
- A large piece of paper or a whiteboard divided into two columns. Label one side “Martha (Busy)” and the other “Mary (Blessed).”
- A stack of index cards or sticky notes with pictures (for non-readers) or words (for readers) of different activities.
How to Play:
I hand out the cards to the kids one by one. The cards have things like:
- A picture of a broom (cleaning)
- A picture of a book (reading the Bible)
- A picture of a pot (cooking)
- A picture of praying hands (praying)
- A picture of a soccer ball (sports)
- A picture of a family watching a movie (watching TV)
They have to decide: is this something that would have made Martha busy, or is it something that would help them be like Mary, focused on Jesus? We stick them in the appropriate columns.
The best part: We always end up with a pile in the middle. Because things like sports or even cleaning aren’t bad. I ask them, “Can you be doing a ‘Martha’ thing with a ‘Mary’ heart?” It blows their minds a little. FYI, that’s exactly where I want them. Confused in the best way. 🙂
2. DIY Prayer Pockets
This activity leans hard into the “Mary” side of things. Mary was focused on Jesus, and one of the best ways for us to do that is through prayer. But telling a kid to “just pray” can feel vague. These Prayer Pockets give them a tangible way to do it.
Here’s the Craft:
- Give each kid a piece of construction paper. They fold it in half like a card.
- On the front, they write or decorate: “Time with Jesus.”
- On the inside, they glue an envelope or create a pocket by taping the sides and bottom of a smaller piece of paper.
- Then, give them small slips of paper. On these, they write:
- Praises: Things they are thankful for.
- Problems: Things they are worried about.
- People: Friends or family who need prayer.
Throughout the week, they can add new slips to their pocket. On Sunday, they can take them out and use them as a guide to pray. It’s simple, but it teaches them to bring everything to Jesus, just like Mary did.
3. The “Listening” Course
Okay, this one is pure genius for burning off energy while teaching a core truth. We all know kids learn better when they’re moving. I set up a simple obstacle course in the living room or backyard. Think crawling under a table, hopping over pillows, running around a tree.
The Twist:
While they are going through the course, I yell out instructions. “Hop on one foot! Crawl under the table! Spin around!” They have to listen to my voice to know what to do next. If they stop listening, they get lost or do the wrong thing.
After they all have a turn, we sit down and I ask the rhetorical question: What does an obstacle course have to do with Mary and Martha?
It clicks for them. Martha was so focused on the “course”—the cooking, the serving, the chaos—that she stopped listening to Jesus. Mary, on the other hand, chose to stop and listen to His voice.
Pro-Tip: You can even make it a “digital” course by playing a game of “Simon Says” with the same principle. Simon (or Jesus) says, “Sit at my feet and listen.” The kids have to be tuned in to the right voice.
4. Side-by-Side Role Play (With a Modern Twist)
Role-playing a Bible story can sometimes feel a bit… stale. Like, “Okay, you be Martha, you be Jesus, go.” So, I like to spice it up. We act out the original story first, which is fun. I use a bathrobe for a costume and everything. 😀
But then, we do a modern version. I set up two scenes side-by-side.
- Scene A (Martha’s House Today): I have a bunch of toys, a tablet buzzing, a fake phone ringing, some laundry to fold, and a messy room. One kid plays “Modern Martha,” frantically trying to clean up and answer the phone while another kid plays “The Friend” trying to talk to her.
- Scene B (Mary’s House Today): It’s the same setup, but “Modern Mary” pushes the distractions aside, turns off the tablet, and sits down to really listen to the friend.
Watching them act this out is hilarious and heartbreaking at the same time. They immediately see how the story plays out in their own lives. They realize how often they ignore their parents, siblings, or even their own quiet time because they’re “too busy.”
5. Baking “Martha’s Bread” (With a Heart Check)
I know, I know. The last thing you might want to do with a bunch of kids is bake. It’s messy. It’s chaotic. It’s very… Martha. But that’s exactly the point!
The Activity:
Get some pre-made bread dough or a simple mix. As you’re making it with the kids, really lean into the chaos. Let them measure, stir, and knead. Talk about how Martha was probably an amazing cook and hostess. She wanted everything to be perfect for Jesus.
The Heart Check (This is crucial):
While the bread is baking and filling the house with that amazing smell, sit the kids down. Ask them:
- Do you think Jesus appreciated Martha’s hard work?
- Why do you think he said Mary chose the “better” thing?
Then, as you eat the warm bread together, explain that it’s not wrong to be busy serving. It’s wrong when the serving makes us worried, upset, and distracted from the very person we’re trying to serve. IMO, this is a lesson we adults need to hear just as much as the kids do. We eat the bread, we thank God for it, and we remember to keep our hearts focused on Him, even in the kitchen.
6. “What’s Distracting You?” Doodle Page
Sometimes, kids can’t articulate their distractions, but they can draw them. This is a quiet, reflective activity that’s perfect for winding down.
Setup:
Give each child a piece of paper with a simple drawing of a kid in the center. Around the kid, there are empty circles or “thought bubbles.” At the top of the page, write the question: “What keeps you from sitting at Jesus’ feet?”
Give them crayons, markers, or colored pencils. Ask them to fill the bubbles with the things that distract them. It could be a video game controller, a TV, worries about a test, fighting with a sibling, or wanting a new toy.
Why this works:
It makes an abstract idea concrete. They can see their distractions on paper. After they’re done, they can bring their papers to a prayer corner. This is a powerful way for them to symbolically give those distractions to God, choosing to be like Mary for a few quiet moments.
7. The “One Thing” Memory Verse Challenge
Mary chose the “one thing” that was needed. Jesus said her choice wouldn’t be taken away from her. I love tying this directly to a memory verse to lock it in.
We use Luke 10:42 (NIV): “but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
The Challenge:
- Write it out: We write the verse on an index card. The kids can decorate it with a big number “1” to remind them of the “one thing.”
- Set a Timer: I set a timer for exactly one minute. For that one minute, we all sit silently. No talking. No fidgeting. Just thinking about Jesus. I tell them, “This is your ‘one thing’ time.”
- Recite: After the minute is up, we try to say the verse together from memory.
It’s amazing how powerful that one silent minute can be in a room full of kids. It teaches them that choosing the “one thing” isn’t just a concept; it’s an action they can take, right here, right now.
Wrapping It Up: Choosing the Better Part
So, there you have it. Seven activities that have saved my sanity and taught my kids some pretty profound truths. The beauty of the Mary and Martha story is that it never gets old. Every time I read it, I’m convicted all over again.
My hope is that these activities help you and your kids see that it’s not about being either a Mary or a Martha. It’s about recognizing when our inner Martha is taking over and choosing, on purpose, to sit down and be with Jesus. Even for just a few minutes. Even when the dishes are piled up.
Now, I’d love to hear from you! Do you have a favorite go-to activity for this story? Or are you planning to try one of these? Drop a comment and let me know. 🙂 Happy teaching, friend!
