Gulp! Jonah gets swallowed by a giant fish, and three days later, he’s back on dry land. This easy Jonah and the whale craft lets children retell the story with their own hands. Using our free printable template and a paper plate, kids make a whale with a mouth that opens to reveal Jonah inside. We’ve also included two bonus craft ideas for different ages.
Ages 3–10 · 20–30 minutes · Includes a free printable template with whale, Jonah and waves pieces.
Read the Jonah and the Whale story together before you start, so children understand what they’re making.
Download the Jonah and the Whale craft template (PDF) — 3 pages: whale tail and fin, Jonah figures (plus a mini Jonah and fish for the bonus crafts), waves and memory-verse strips. US Letter size.
The Story of Jonah in Short (Jonah 1–3)
God asked Jonah to go to the great city of Nineveh and tell the people to stop doing wrong. But Jonah didn’t want to go. Instead, he jumped on a ship sailing in the opposite direction.
Soon, a terrible storm hit the sea. The sailors were scared the ship would sink. Jonah knew the storm was because he had run away from God, so he told the sailors to throw him into the sea. As soon as they did, the storm stopped.
God sent a huge fish to swallow Jonah. For three days and three nights, Jonah sat inside the fish’s belly. He prayed to God, said sorry, and thanked God for saving him. Then God commanded the fish, and it spat Jonah out onto dry land.
This time, Jonah obeyed. He went to Nineveh, and the people listened, said sorry to God, and changed their ways. God forgave them, because He loves everyone.
Did you know? The Bible actually says a “huge fish”, not a whale. Many people call it a whale because it was so enormous.
Main Craft: Paper Plate Whale with Jonah Inside
What You Need
- 2 paper plates
- The printable template (whale tail, fin, Jonah and waves)
- Blue and gray paint or crayons
- Scissors and glue stick
- A brass paper fastener (split pin), or tape
- Googly eye (optional)
- Blue tissue paper or cellophane (optional, for water spray)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Paint the plates. Paint the bottom of both paper plates blue or gray. Let them dry.
- Make the mouth. Cut one plate in half. The full plate is the whale’s body, and the half plate is the top jaw.
- Attach the jaw. Place the half plate over the top of the full plate, painted side out. Push a paper fastener through one side so the jaw can swing open and closed. (Tape also works as a hinge.)
- Add the tail and fin. Color and cut out the whale tail and fin from the template. Glue the tail to one side of the plate and the fin on the jaw.
- Give the whale a face. Stick on a googly eye or draw one, and add a big smile.
- Put Jonah inside. Color and cut out the Jonah figure. Glue him to the inside of the full plate, so he’s hidden when the jaw is closed.
- Add water spray. Glue strips of blue tissue paper on top of the whale’s head for a spout.
- Add the verse. Glue the memory-verse strip along the bottom: “Salvation is of the LORD.” (Jonah 2:9, KJV)
Now children can open the whale’s mouth to show Jonah inside, and close it again as they retell the story!
Download the craft template (PDF) — print all 3 pages, then color and cut out the pieces.
Bonus Craft 1: Paper Bag Whale Puppet (Ages 3–6)
Perfect for little ones who love to play pretend.
- Color a brown paper lunch bag blue or gray.
- Glue the whale tail and fin from the template to the bag.
- Draw a big mouth along the flap of the bag.
- Put Jonah on a craft stick so children can pop him in and out of the whale’s mouth.
Bonus Craft 2: Jonah in a Bottle “Storm at Sea” (Ages 6–10)
This one helps children picture the storm.
- Fill a clear plastic bottle two-thirds full with water and add a few drops of blue food coloring.
- Add a tablespoon of baby oil or cooking oil and some glitter.
- Laminate a tiny paper Jonah and a small paper fish (or use a plastic toy fish) and drop them in.
- Screw the lid on tightly and seal it with tape (an adult should do this).
- Shake the bottle to make a storm, then watch the sea become calm, just like when the sailors threw Jonah overboard.
Lessons from Jonah for Kids
- Listen to God: Jonah learned it’s better to obey God than to run away.
- God is everywhere: Even inside a fish at the bottom of the sea, God heard Jonah’s prayer.
- Saying sorry: When Jonah prayed and said sorry, God gave him a second chance.
- God loves everyone: God cared about the people of Nineveh too, even though Jonah didn’t think they deserved it.
Discussion Questions
- Why did Jonah run away?
- What happened to the ship when Jonah was on board?
- How long was Jonah inside the fish?
- What did Jonah do while he was inside the fish?
- Have you ever been given a second chance? How did it feel?
Tips for Teachers and Parents
- Prep ahead: Pre-cut the plates and templates for younger groups.
- Use the craft to retell: Let each child tell the story using their whale. It’s a great way to check understanding.
- Make it musical: Sing a simple song about Jonah while the paint dries.
- Mess-free option: Use crayons instead of paint for Sunday school.
- Display them: Hang finished whales on a blue “ocean” bulletin board with paper waves.
More Bible Stories About the Sea
Jonah isn’t the only Bible story with stormy waters. Try Noah’s Ark or Jesus calms the storm, and find many more in our Bible stories for kids collection.
FAQ: Jonah and the Whale Craft
What is an easy Jonah and the whale craft for preschoolers?
The paper bag whale puppet is the easiest. Kids simply color the bag, glue on the tail and pop Jonah in and out of the mouth.
Was it really a whale that swallowed Jonah?
The Bible calls it a “huge fish” or “great fish”. People often say “whale” because it was so big, but the Bible doesn’t say exactly what kind of creature it was.
Is the craft template free?
Yes. The printable template is free for home, church and classroom use.
How long does this craft take?
The paper plate whale takes about 20–30 minutes if you use crayons. If you paint the plates, allow extra time for the paint to dry.
