Sensory Learning: Jonah and the Whale Sunday School Lesson

Nothing about the Maker of the Universe, our loving Father, and our beautiful Savior is dull. So why, oh why, do we struggle so much to convey to kids just how amazing He is?

We sing that He's a good, good Father and a friend, but the God we teach them about is stripped of affection, creativity, and fun. Fun matters because children learn through play!

By incorporating sensory learning into our Kids Ministry teachings, we can help kids engage with a God who is tangible and real. Below, I will use the story of Jonah and the Whale to illustrate how you can incorporate sensory learning in how you approach teaching Sunday School lessons that matter.

1: Seeing

Children love visuals. For Jonah’s story, decorate your space with ocean blues, waves, and maybe a large cutout of a whale or big fish. Use images or a felt board to show Jonah’s journey—from running away, to being swallowed, to being spit out. This helps kids see the story unfold and makes the Bible come alive beyond the pages.

2: Hearing

Sound helps bring stories to life. Play ocean sounds—waves crashing, seagulls calling—to set the scene. You could also use a heartbeat sound to represent Jonah’s fear inside the whale’s belly. Singing a catchy song about obedience or God’s mercy can help kids remember the key lessons in a joyful way.

3: Tasting

Taste is often overlooked, but it can be powerful. Offer a simple snack like fish-shaped crackers or blue gelatin to connect with the ocean theme. Maybe serve a fruit snack to symbolize new life and God’s grace after Jonah is delivered safely - or cucumbers and tell them about the cucumber plant in Jonah's story.

4: Smelling

Bring in the salty scent of the sea or a spritz of fresh ocean breeze fragrance. Even a simple bowl of water with lemon zest can give a fresh smell that reminds children of the sea Jonah was surrounded by. This helps them feel the atmosphere of the story. Light a candle that has an 'ocean' smell.

5: Touching

Kids love to explore textures. Provide sand, water play, or even modeling clay to represent the ocean or the whale. You can say, “Let’s feel what it might have been like for Jonah!” This invites them to physically connect with Jonah’s experience and God’s miraculous power.

Recap

By inviting kids to see, hear, taste, smell, and touch the story of Jonah and the Whale, we help them encounter a God who pursues us with love—even when we run away. Kids ministry is not just crafts and snacks; it’s real ministry where children can meet God in tangible, memorable ways.

Will you let your Sunday School lessons become a sensory adventure that deepens kids’ faith?