John 20:24-29 tells us about one of the disciples, a man named Thomas, who required physical proof that Christ had risen from the dead. This post offers you 15 Doubting Thomas Sunday School crafts about the Bible Story.

Thomas’ doubt teaches children in Sunday school or Kids’ church to bring their worries and fears to God, but more than that, it teaches them how to have faith. The fifteen craft and activity ideas given here will help you teach kids about Doubtful Thomas in an impactful way that's not been done a million times before.

Foundational reading suggestion: Should Children Doubt God? (Why it's important to disciple kids into mature faith that can withstand the questions that will inevitably arise.)

May you find space here to pause, reflect, and abide.

The Sunday School crafts below about Doubtful Thomas are for a wide range of ages from younger children to teens. The first few are simple and it gets more complex as you go down the list!

(Click to go to the one that looks interesting to you, or scroll through and read about each one)

1. Draw a Picture: Doubt VS Faith

2. Paperplate Craft: Empty Tomb

3. Paper Hands: Jesus' pierced hands

4. Coloring Picture: Doubting Thomas

5. Character Drawing: Thomas who doubted

6. Paper Glasses: We have seen the Lord

7. Tennis ball Emoji: What's said in secret

8. Blindfolds: Faith without sight

9. Memory Verse Poster

10. His hands were pierced - Snack Activity

11. Painted Stones: I have faith for...

12. Sidewalk Chalk: Questions for God

13. Coloring Picture: Jesus' ascension

14. Cards with Doubts

15. Video / Make Characters and Puppet Show

Looking for more than just craft ideas?

While this article shares practical activities, the real goal isn't the craft itself - it's helping children respond to God's Word. If you've ever wondered why creative activities matter in Sunday school, I explore the theology, child development, and ministry philosophy behind them here:

→ Why Sunday School Crafts Matter (More Than You Think)

15 Doubting Thomas Crafts for Sunday School with Activities

Doubt versus faith

Supplies Needed: Paper, Crayons, or Pencils

Approximate Time Needed: 8+ minutes

Try Saying: "What do you think faith looks like?"

⭐ Elementary (6–10)

⭐ Preteens (10–12)

🪴 Instructions

Fold construction paper in half. Have Sunday school kids draw a picture of doubt on the one side and faith on the other. This free Bible lesson teaches kids the difference that faith can make in their circumstances.

Meaning of this craft re: Doubting Thomas

The story of Thomas is based on 2 things: doubt and faith. You can explain it to them in these simple statements -

• DOUBT says: Uh oh. I don't know. I'm not sure. Maybe. I hope so...

• FAITH says: Yay! I trust it'll work out. God's got this. I can't see it, but I know He will make a way.

Bonus lesson opportunity: Contrast with the Centurion's Faith

Read about the Centurion who had great faith and discuss how that is different from Thomas' heart posture toward Jesus.

💡Level it up

I've found that most often, kids need to see a visual example when they're tasked to draw something by themselves. You can either print the AI-generated picture above or you can draw your own one before class. If you have a chalkboard or white board, draw it on there. That way the less-confident ones when it comes to art can copy your picture.

 Empty tomb

Supplies Needed: Paper plates, scissors, split pins

Approximate Time Needed: 15+ minutes

Try Saying: "We can believe that Jesus defeated death; He is alive."

⭐ Preschool (3–5)

⭐ Elementary (6–10)

⭐ Preteens (10–12)

🪴 Instructions

Use a paper plate cut in half to symbolize the tomb. Cut out a circle and use a split pin to fasten it to the plate so that the circle becomes a movable tombstone. The joy of Easter is captured in this fun craft. It should look something like this. 

Meaning of this craft re: Doubting Thomas

Thomas doubted whether or not Jesus truly rose from the dead. He doubted whether or not the tomb was really empty.

Bonus lesson opportunity: The Women finding the Empty Tomb

Doubtful Thomas didn't believe that Jesus really rose from the dead. Thomas' story can be linked to the one where the women find Jesus' tomb empty - the witnesses of the resurrection.

💡Level it up

Add to the craft: Make a few people from paper (like, Jesus, Thomas, and the women at the tomb) or use lego men & act out the story using the tomb craft as a prop.

Jesus’ hands with the marks of the nails

Supplies Needed: colored paper, scissors, crayons or pencils

Approximate Time Needed: 25+ minutes

Try Saying: "Jesus had holes in His hands to show He was really alive - it was Him."

⭐ Preschool (3–5)

⭐ Elementary (6–10)

⭐ Preteens (10–12)

🪴 Instructions

Have kids trace their own hands and cut out the shape. Then cut a hole in the middle of each paper palm. Teach them about the resurrection of Jesus and what that means for us today. Above is an example where a picture of Jesus is added to the hole cut-out.

Meaning of this craft re: Doubting Thomas

The most iconic / unique aspect of THIS Bible story is the visual of Jesus' hands with the holes in them. By focusing on this detail, the kids will always remember the story of Doubtful Thomas.

Bonus lesson opportunity: Link to Easter

I'm assuming this lesson is following one about the joy of Easter. It's important for young kids to understand that Jesus chose to go to the cross because of LOVE. We can leave the focus on blood until much later. Did you know children don't understand figures of speech until they're 7 to 11 years old?

💡Level it up

If you have extra time, have them act out the story using the craft as a prop. For a further visual, you can buy some red dot stickers and stick it on their hands (on both sides).

Doubting Thomas’s faith moment Coloring Picture

Supplies Needed: Printer and printer paper, coloring supplies like crayons or pencils

Approximate Time Needed: 10+ minutes

Try Saying: "Where is Thomas in the picture? And where is Jesus?"

⭐ Preschool (3–5)

⭐ Elementary (6–10)

⭐ Preteens (10–12)

🪴 Instructions

You can download the printable picture I made by saving the image above. This printable activity can be printed on any blank page. It is a very simple activity suitable for any age group. This craft encourages independent work and might introduce a great window of opportunity for volunteers to move through the kids and pray with individuals as they color in. Draw the kids’ attention to certain details in the picture by asking them questions, like the example above. 

Older children can be challenged to take a Bible and copy the text of the story onto their page.

Meaning of this craft re: Doubting Thomas

This coloring page shows the story of Thomas seeing the resurrected Jesus and pointing to the holes in His hands.

Bonus lesson opportunity: The Future of Thomas

Years after his moment of doubt, Thomas traveled to India as a missionary and spent his days proclaiming the Good News of Jesus. His moment of doubt didn't define him - the Gospel did.

💡Level it up

Print the picture smaller and create a mini coloring picture that kids can keep as a bookmark in their Bibles. Encourage them to do Bible journaling to bring the Word to life for them.

Character Drawing of doubting Thomas

Supplies Needed: Paper, crayons or pencils

Approximate Time Needed: 10+ minutes

Try Saying: "What do you think Thomas looked like?"

⭐ Elementary (6–10)

⭐ Preteens (10–12)

🪴 Instructions

For this Sunday School craft, get a few craft supplies together and have kids create a picture of Thomas using a full page. They can draw him with an uncertain expression and body language indicating his doubt.

• a frown on his forehead

• shoulders raised

• palms open (like, whaaat)

Meaning of this craft re: Doubting Thomas

Doubt is a feeling - an emotion. When we give kids the job of drawing 'doubt', they understand the emotion much better.

Bonus lesson opportunity: Bringing all Emotions to Jesus

This lesson also holds the potential for teaching kids about working through bad feelings and how to bring them to Jesus. You can teach the kids about emotional awareness and dealing with emotions with God.

💡Level it up

Older kids who will work faster can draw the other disciples and Jesus too. 

“We have seen the Lord!” Fun Paper Glasses

Supplies Needed: Colored paper, scissors, pencils or markers to write with.

Approximate Time Needed: 15+ minutes

Try Saying: "We have seen the Lord."

⭐ Elementary (6–10)

⭐ Preteens (10–12)

🪴 Instructions

Have the kids make paper glasses (spectacles) and write on the frames. Teach them about responding with faith versus doubt.

Meaning of this craft re: Doubting Thomas

Here the focus is on the other disciples. If you read the full Bible passage, you’ll see that they respond with this faith-fuelled statement: "We have seen the Lord".

Bonus lesson opportunity: Fix your eyes on Jesus

Talk to the kids about Hebrews 12 and how important it is for them to keep looking at Jesus. Option to link it to Peter walking on the water, who did not sink until he looked away.

💡Level it up

Troubleshooting tip: In order to get the glasses to be firm, you can either use a thicker paper, cardboard, or glue an ice-lolly stick behind the glasses - where the person's eyebrows will be. If it's still flimsy, you can use string or rope and tie the glasses around their heads...

What’s said in secret… Learn from Doubting Thomas and make a zipped lips emoji

Supplies Needed: Tennis balls, marker

Approximate Time Needed: 15+ minutes

Try Saying: "God, please place a guard in front of our mouths."

⭐ Elementary (6–10)

⭐ Preteens (10–12)

🪴 Instructions

Teach the kids about not saying things you do not mean and have them create an emoji with zipped lips by drawing on a yellow tennis ball to create it. 

Meaning of this craft re: Doubting Thomas

Thomas told the disciples something he’d probably not have said to Jesus’ face (verse 25), but Jesus ended up knowing what He said (verse 27). The craft of the zipped lips emoji hints at choosing your words wisely.

Bonus lesson opportunity: Luke 12:3

The verse, Luke 12:3, says "What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight". This kind of lesson will also work well with older kids because tweens and teenagers often struggle with peer pressure when it comes to "secrets" like gossip or spreading rumors.

💡Level it up

Play a game where they toss the emoji ball they made to a friend. Each time they throw the ball, they have to say something true, like: "I love my brother". For a more advanced game (for older kids): They can say something true some of the time and some of the time they can tell a lie, like: "I don't have a brother". When they lie, the other friend must not catch the ball but let it fall to the ground. If it's the truth, catch the ball.

“Blessed are those who have not seen” Sunday School craft

Supplies Needed: Material for blindfolds, Marker or paint or printed paper slips (for adding the words)

Approximate Time Needed: 25+ minutes

Try Saying: "We live by faith and not by sight."

⭐ Elementary (6–10)

⭐ Preteens (10–12)

🪴 Instructions

Have the kids make blindfolds with the words “faith without sight” on them. You can paint the words on or print it on a piece of paper that you pin to the material before class.

Meaning of this craft re: Doubting Thomas

This echoes Jesus’ words at the end of this passage when He said: “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Bonus lesson opportunity: The woman who touched Jesus' robe

Opportunity to talk to the kids about the great faith of a woman who thought: "If only I could touch Him, I'd be healed". What might it look like for them to have faith even in the unseen?

💡Level it up

It could be fun to do a scavenger hunt, trust fall, or other blindfolded activity too!

Doubting Thomas Memory Verse Craft

Supplies Needed: Posters, Markers, Crayons, other craft supplies...

Approximate Time Needed: 15+ minutes

Try Saying: "Cover one word at a time and see if you can finish the sentence."

⭐ Elementary (6–10)

⭐ Preteens (10–12)

🪴 Instructions

Use Hebrews 11:1 as a memory verse and teach that the opposite of doubt is faith. The Easy-to-Read Version is great for younger kids: “Faith is what makes real the things we hope for. It is proof of what we cannot see.” Have the kids make posters with these words.

Meaning of this craft re: Doubting Thomas

The memory verse teaches kids about doubt versus faith. It gives a definition of faith.

Bonus lesson opportunity: Hebrews 11:1

This memory verse craft connects Doubtful Thomas (an example of doubt) with the popular verse on what faith is. You can make a strong case by presenting both together.

💡Level it up

You can also hand out magazines and scissors if you want them to cut out letters and do that kind of collage poster. There's no limit here! When working with younger kids (who can't write yet), I'll usually print the words on a page beforehand that they can just decorate with craft supplies like stickers / crayons.

His hands were pierced - Snack Activity

Supplies Needed: Circular snacks (think O-shaped gummy rings, cereal, or even donuts)

Approximate Time Needed: 8+ minutes

Try Saying: "Can you place the circles on your hands and feet?"

⭐ Preschool (3–5)

⭐ Elementary (6–10)

⭐ Preteens (10–12)

🪴 Instructions

Hand out the snack and tell the kids where to place it to resemble the wounds of Jesus. Then, they can physically poke their fingers through the holes like Thomas did.

Meaning of this craft re: Doubting Thomas

This activity helps kids imagine what Jesus' wounds looked like and understand Thomas' response better.

Bonus lesson opportunity: Taste and See God's Goodness

Read Psalm 34:8 "Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him." Talk to them about how they can truly experience (encounter) God in real ways.  If the idea of sensory learning interests you, read this post I wrote about it.

💡Level it up

Go into other Bible characters' diets and the Scriptures about them. This is not so much a craft, but it is a great way to teach something in a way that middle school children will understand. And it's not boring!

Doubting Thomas Painted stones

Supplies Needed: Smooth stones, paint, paintbrushes, water, wet wipes (to clean hands), craft aprons (to keep clothes clean)

Approximate Time Needed: 30+ minutes

Try Saying: "What do you doubt that God can restore?"

⭐ Elementary (6–10)

⭐ Preteens (10–12)

🪴 Instructions

Hand out stones and have each kid paint something that they are trusting God for on their stone.

For example, if they are trusting for restoration in their family, they might paint their family portrait where everyone’s happy and at peace. They get to take it home with them as a reminder to pray and trust God.

Take a photograph of the completed craft and put it up in your Sunday school classroom for a reminder about what faith is really about. 

Meaning of this craft re: Doubting Thomas

The story of doubting Thomas is about the opposite of faith... DOUBT. This Bible story brings us a unique approach to teaching kids about faith by looking at what the opposite of faith is.

Bonus lesson opportunity: Joshua's stones of remembrance

Before the Israelites entered the Promised Land, they went through the Jordan river. God commanded Joshua to collect stones to help the people remember what God did for them - We need reminders of God's promises.

💡Level it up

Painting can be messy... but also lots of fun! I'd suggest pulling in an extra volunteer or two on a day where you attempt this kind of craft. I've also found it helpful to not pack out things like paint beforehand. It helps to do 1 color at a time. "OK, everyone let's start by painting the grass under our family portrait."

God’s Word is the answer to doubt

Supplies Needed: Chalk, Bible

Approximate Time Needed: 8+ minutes

Try Saying: "God wants to answer your questions and doubts."

⭐ Elementary (6–10)

⭐ Preteens (10–12)

🪴 Instructions

Draw a huge question mark on the ground or pavement using chalk. Then hand out a piece of chalk to each individual and have them write their doubts and questions inside the question mark. During that week, go through each thing they wrote and write a Bible verse that answers it underneath. The following Sunday, the kids need to look up their Bible verse and talk with a friend / volunteer about how it addresses their doubt.

Meaning of this craft re: Doubting Thomas

Jesus allowed Thomas to touch His wounds - He welcomes your questions as well.

Bonus lesson opportunity: How often was Jesus interrupted?

Look with the kids at how many times in the Gospels Jesus would be on His way somewhere, when suddenly He'd be interrupted. People brought many doubts, concerns, and questions to Him - and He always stopped what He was doing, stood still, and gave them an answer.

💡Level it up

If your kids ministry doesn't have an outdoor space, you can always do this activity using paper on the floor... (When I worked as Children's Ministry Coordinator, we did kids church outside for 3 whole years. So we had to get creative with the kinds of things you could do outside rather than inside.)

The ascension of Jesus coloring picture

Supplies Needed: Printer, printer paper, coloring supplies like crayons or pencils

Approximate Time Needed: 15+ minutes

Try Saying: "What do you notice on Jesus' hands in the picture?"

⭐ Preschool (3–5)

⭐ Elementary (6–10)

⭐ Preteens (10–12)

🪴 Instructions

Print out the coloring picture above and hand it out. If you use this coloring picture, the focus can be on how Thomas' doubt was replaced with faith later on.

Meaning of this craft re: Doubting Thomas

Here we take a step forward in the story to when Jesus ascended into Heaven. This picture offers an alternative to the other one of Thomas. The picture still shows the holes in Jesus' hands and the disciples looking at Him.

Bonus lesson opportunity: The angels cry 'Holy, holy, holy'

While He was on Earth, Jesus faced many doubts from people - but in Heaven He is seated on the right hand of God, being worshipped by angels who do not doubt because they know His powerful glory.

💡Level it up

Alternatively, doodle your own coloring picture for the kids by using a thick black marker and a plain white page. You can take a photo of your picture with your phone and print it, or scan it in on your printer. Tada! Your very own custom coloring picture. Pro tip: Edit the 'contrast' of the photo of your drawing so that the white bits don't print as gray.

Teen discussions and prayer card

Supplies Needed: Cards, Pens

Approximate Time Needed: 15+ minutes

Try Saying: "God can handle everything you bring to Him."

⭐ Preteens (10–12)

🪴 Instructions

To teach this story to teens, focus on the keyword doubt. Hand out paper and pens and have them write a prayer down to God talking to Him about their own doubts – the things they find it hard to have faith for. You can prompt them with some “complete the sentence” ideas, like: 

• I am worried about…

• Something about God that I don’t understand is…

• Sometimes I doubt that God will really...

Meaning of this craft re: Doubting Thomas

It's important to tell younger generations how Jesus responded to Thomas' doubts. He did not laugh at him or push him away. They can also come to Him with all their questions and concerns.

Bonus lesson opportunity: Job questioned God

Let the teens read the Book of Job as an assignment and see how Job brought all his doubts before God - Find God's response to Job's doubts at the end of the book.

💡Level it up

Some kids will be able to do this kind of activity unassisted, but most will need some hand-holding. Perhaps you can have volunteers 'floating' in the room (I mean, walking around) and if they notice someone is stuck they can give a prompt to everyone out loud:

• If you're stuck, that's okay. You're experiencing doubt, just like Thomas did. How would you describe what you're feeling right now? Write that down.

Respond to video below about doubtful Thomas

Supplies Needed: Digital: Screen and speaker to show video. Craft: Paper, scissors, glue, and drawing supplies

Approximate Time Needed: 20+ minutes

Try Saying: "We're going to watch a video about Thomas now and then respond."

⭐ Preschool (3–5)

⭐ Elementary (6–10)

⭐ Preteens (10–12)

🪴 Instructions Test the video and audio before your program begins. Watch the video together. By including the video, you engage more of the kids' senses. This makes the lesson more memorable for them! The craft here is to make characters that look like the ones in this video and act out the story told in the video, using their own paper characters/ puppets. They can either perform it for the group like a puppet show, or do it on their own, or in little groups.

Meaning of this craft re: Doubting Thomas

They are making the characters in the Doubtful Thomas story.

💡Level it up Note: Older kids might prefer to act out the Doubtful Thomas story as a skit over making paper crafts, but it depends on the group you're working with.

Unsure which one to choose?

Whether you choose a simple coloring page or a hands-on planting activity, remember that the goal isn't creating perfect crafts—it's helping children see Jesus more clearly.

Go to the 'Should Children Doubt God?' article next to discover how to teach children about bringing doubts to God and why it's important.

Before you go...

Crafts are wonderful tools, but they aren't the goal. The goal is helping children move from hearing God's Word to participating in it. I recently wrote an article explaining why meaningful response activities are such an important part of discipleship.

Read next: Why Sunday School Crafts Matter (More Than You Think)

P.S.

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