Jonah and the Whale Activities for Preschoolers

Adding faith-based stories to our lessons always brings a new layer of meaning. Jonah and the Whale Activities for Preschoolers became one of those memorable units in our week when we needed something both meaningful and hands-on. It turned out to be the perfect blend of storytelling, crafts, and conversation.

I’ve always found that Bible stories provide numerous opportunities to incorporate character building while we’re learning. Jonah’s story is packed with lessons about listening, obedience, and second chances. It’s easy to connect it to real-life situations, even those faced by young children, such as choosing to do what’s right even when it’s hard.

Below, you will find a list of my favorite Jonah-themed activities for young learners. From printable mini books to fun crafts, there are plenty of ways to keep your kids learning and creating. Keep reading to find new ways to bring this classic Bible story to life in your homeschool.

This post may contain affiliate links meaning I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Read my disclosure policy here.

Interesting Facts About Jonah and the Whale

Jonah’s story has been told for generations, but some lesser-known details are pretty fascinating. These interesting facts can help spark curiosity and shed new light on the story for your preschooler.

• Jonah was trying to escape from his calling: God gave Jonah a mission, but instead of following it, he ran in the opposite direction. He boarded a ship headed for Tarshish, which was the farthest place he could go from where God wanted him to be.
• The fish wasn’t necessarily a whale: The original Hebrew word meant “big fish.” So, while many retellings refer to the creature as a “whale,” the actual species isn’t specified.
• Jonah’s prayer inside the fish is a whole Psalm: While he was inside the fish for three days, Jonah prayed. That prayer is written like a psalm, and it reveals deep reflection and trust in God, even in the darkest moments.

Recommended Bible Story Books

For this story and many others, I always reach for our favorite Bible storybooks that keep things age-appropriate while staying true to the message.

The Biggest Story Bible StorybookThe Complete Illustrated Children’s Bible (The Complete Illustrated Children’s Bible Library)By Kevin DeYoung, Don Clark The Biggest Story: How the Snake Crusher Brings Us Back to the Garden Hardcover – September 2015365 Bible Stories and Prayers Padded Treasury – Gift for Easter, Christmas, Communions, Baptism, Birthdays (Little Sunbeams)Best-Loved Bible Stories – 8-Book Library Boxed Gift Set for Children: Including stories of Noah’s Ark, The Birth of Jesus, The Creation Story, Daniel … Lion’s Den, Jonah, and More (Little Sunbeams)The Biggest Story ABC

 

Why do kids need to learn about the story of Jonah?

The story of Jonah is more than just a dramatic tale of a man and a big fish. It teaches timeless truths that preschoolers can begin to grasp at an early age.

• It introduces obedience: Jonah’s story is a clear picture of what happens when we go our own way instead of listening to God.
• Second chances matter: God gave Jonah another opportunity to do the right thing. Kids can relate to making mistakes and getting another try.
• God cares about everyone: The people of Nineveh were not liked by others, but God still cared about them. It’s a good reminder of God’s love for all.

Recommended Early Learning Packs

When I plan out our week, I always include printable activities that help with writing and fine motor skills. These early learning packs are simple to use and perfect for busy homeschool days.

Supplies Kids Will Need for the Story of Jonah Activities

Gathering everything beforehand makes things run a lot smoother. Here’s what I usually set out:

• Paper plates
• Construction paper
• Scissors
• Glue sticks
• Crayons or washable markers
• Cotton balls
• Clothespins
• Printable pages
• and more, depending on the activity

My Recommended Bible Toys

I like to keep a few Bible-themed toys on hand to help reinforce what we’re learning through stories and play.

BibleToys Tales of Glory Galilee Boat 15 Piece Playset by BibleToysNoah’s Ark Educational Balancing Board Game for Kids & Toddlers – Christian Bible Animal Toy with Rocking Balance – Fun and Learning for KidsWATINC Portable Bible Felt Stories Set – 6pack Religious Story Adam and Eve Learning Noah’s Ark Story Board Gift, Early Educational Travel Storytelling Interactive Play Kit for Classroom Kids ToddlersThe Action Bible Guess-It GameKangaToys Water Reveal Coloring Scripture Book for Kids Ages 3+. New Testament Bible Stories: Preschool, Elementary, Primary, Christian, ReligionKarenhi 24 Pcs Religious Finger Puppets for Easter Christian Nativity Bible Toys Felt Jesus Toys for Easter Party Easter Egg Fillers Sunday School Activity Supplies Bible Study Set, 8 Styles

 

Fun Ways to Teach the Jonah and the Big Fish Story

When we learned about Jonah, I tried switching things up every day to keep the story engaging. Here are some creative ways to share the story with preschoolers:

• Story retelling with toys: We used soft animal toys to act out the story. My preschooler loved pretending to be the whale!
• Create a Jonah puppet: Using a clothespin and some paper, we made a Jonah puppet that could “go into the fish.”
• Sensory bin: Fill a bin with blue rice or water beads, add a fish and a Jonah figure, and let them explore while you chat about the story.

More Fun Preschool Activities to Try

Here are some additional ideas to add to your homeschool week when you’re looking for something quick, simple, and fun.

• Jonah and the Whale Printable Mini Book
• Free Printable Ten Commandments Worksheets
• Creation Worksheet for Kids
• Preschool Tracing Activities
• Preschool Food Theme Sorting Activities by Homeschool Preschool
• K Cup Elephant Craft by Artsy Momma

You can check out my list of fun Preschool Activities for more ideas.

I hope this post gave you a few new ideas to try during your next Bible unit. Teaching this story through these Jonah and the Whale bible lesson ideas made it more relatable and easier for preschoolers to understand. It became more than a story—it was a whole experience.