At a wedding in Cana, the wine ran out. Jesus had the servants fill six stone jars with water, and the water became wine. It was the first of His miracles, and His disciples believed in Him (John 2:1-11). This free preschool lesson teaches little ones one big truth: Jesus can do miracles because He is God’s Son.
Use this lesson with preschoolers in children’s church or Sunday school. It runs about 90 minutes if you do every activity, and it is easy to shorten. It has a Kool-Aid color-change object lesson, a freeze-and-act memory verse game, play-doh, wedding dress-up play and a color-changing rice bottle craft.
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What Was Jesus’ First Miracle?
Jesus’ first miracle was turning water into wine at a wedding in Cana. John calls it “the first of the signs” Jesus did (John 2:11). Jesus did it when He was grown up, at the start of His ministry with His disciples. The Bible does not tell of any miracles He did as a child.
Water Into Wine Preschool Lesson at a Glance
Lesson Title: Jesus Turns Water Into Wine
Bible Reference: John 2:1-11
Target Age Group: Preschool
Learning Context: Children’s Church
Target Time Frame: 1 ½ hour
Bible Verse: “and His disciples believed in Him.” John 2:11b
Learning Aim: Jesus can do miracles.
Materials Needed:
- Two clear cups
- Kool-aid mix
- Play-doh
- Dramatic Play items for a wedding: veil, flowers, cup and jugs, etc.
- Clear bottle or jar for each child
- Rice
- Paint
- Strong tape
Optional: Download our Water into Wine Coloring Page (pictured above)
Related: For older children, you might use our “Jesus Turns Water into Wine” Sunday School lesson
You say the Italicized words. Non-italicized words are directions.
Bible Story: Jesus Turns Water Into Wine (John 2:1-11)
You will need two clear cups. Fill one with water. Put red Kool-aid mix in the other cup.
Say, We know that Jesus is both human and God’s son and that is amazing. Today we are going to learn one more thing about Jesus. Jesus can do miracles!
One day when Jesus was all grown up, He and His disciples were invited to a wedding. While the guests were celebrating, they ran out of drinks. Mary, Jesus’ mother found Jesus and asked Him to help. There were some stone water jugs nearby and Jesus told the servants to fill them with water. Once the jugs were full something amazing happened.
At this point pour the water into the cup with the Kool-aid as a visual for what happened at the wedding. The water should turn red/pink when it hits the Kool-aid mix.
When the servants drew water out of the jugs it had turned to wine. Look at how our water turned red. We turned our water red by adding Kool-aid to the mix, but when Jesus turned water into wine it was a miracle. Jesus can do miracles. Once the disciples saw Jesus’ miracle, they believed that He was really God’s son.
Water Into Wine Activities for Preschool
Be Something New Memory Verse Game
No supplies needed. You will play a charades-style game to help the class learn the memory verse. Have everyone stand in an open area. Say, Jesus turned water into wine. I want you to pretend to be a ____________. You can fill in the blank with any animal or object that you want. The class will act like that animal/object. While they are acting, you will say the Bible verse, “and His disciples believed in Him.” John 2:11. When you finish saying the verse the kids have to freeze. Basically, they are acting like an animal when you are saying the verse then freezing when you are done. After a few rounds switch it and the kids say, Jesus turned water into wine. I want you to pretend to be a ________. And then say John 2:11. Make sure everyone has a turn to be the leader and say the verse.
Say, When Jesus did His first miracle, everyone knew that He was someone special. His miracle helped the disciples believe that He truly was God’s son.
Make Something New with Play-Doh
Play with play-doh. Encourage the kids to make something new.
While you play say, We are using play-doh to make something new, but no matter what you make, you are still using play-doh. When Jesus turned the water into wine it was a miracle because the water actually turned into wine. He didn’t add Kool-aid or paint or anything to it. Jesus did a miracle and He can do miracles because He is God’s son.
Wedding at Cana Dramatic Play
Provide items for the class to pretend that they are at the wedding. Possible items include a veil and flowers for the bride, and cups and water jugs for when Jesus performs His miracle. Let the kids play but as they do ask them to act happy to be at a wedding, sad because they ran out of drinks, and amazed at Jesus’ miracle. If possible, retell the story as they play. Continue to emphasize that Jesus can do miracles because He is God’s son.
Changing Rice Bottle Craft
You will need a clear, empty water bottle for each child, rice, paint, and tape. Let the kids fill their bottle with rice until it is ½ to ¾ full. Help them put a few drops of paint in the bottle. Put the lid on it and secure the lid with tape. Let the kids shake their bottles and watch their rice turn from white to colorful.
Say: Jesus’ first miracle was turning water into wine. We just changed the color of our rice but it wasn’t a miracle. Jesus can do miracles because He is God’s son. Every time you see this bottle remember that Jesus can do miracles.
Wedding at Cana Videos
Watch our children’s sermon on John 2:1-11, then our craft ideas video for more ways to teach the wedding at Cana.
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