Activities for teaching children about the three wise men can be done creatively and tell abut their significance in the Christmas story detailing the birth of the baby, Jesus of Nazareth. Engaging activities around the wise men theme can be presented with a few creative lessons for children of all ages. The number of activities available is vast, but using a few selective ones can be successfully done by both novice and seasoned

Make a Crown

Adding a robe with the crown helps bring the wise men's story to life.
The three gift presenters, also known as magi or wise men, are noted as having crowns on their head, as kings would. To make a crown, children can use a variety materials, including colored construction paper or poster board wrapped with shiny wrapping paper or aluminum foil. This material, 3 inches high and 24 inches long, is glued at the nds or tied with ribbon. Adding silk sheets or velvet for robes creates a dramatic effect to the wise men wardrobe presentation, which can be part of a Nativity play.

Paper Puppet Play
Children will also enjoy making a play of the Nativity story using paper doll props. The story becomes more concrete with cardboard or poster board cut in the shape of the baby Jesus and three wise men, and with wrapping paper for the robes and clothing of the cutouts. The larger the cutouts are, the easier they are to use in telling the story. Children can cut out a large star from the cardboard or poster board and wrap it in aluminum foil to make the North Star, which is significant in the story.

Act Out in Song

Singing the story of the Nativity helps children remember the lesson.
Children love to sing, and a "call-and-response" song of the story is a wonderful way to engage children in learning about the story. A teacher or older child can lead with a question sung, with the children responding to each question in a chorus. This activity teaches memory, joy in song, and listening skills for the call-and-response segment.

Participate in a Feast

A story told at a feast is memorable for children.
For a classroom or other large group of children, the organizing of a potluck feast demonstrates the coming together of people to see the new baby Jesus. The children can act as village members and observers, then participate in the sharing of food in celebration of the baby's birth. A teacher can narrate the story of the Nativity and then lead off the celebration with the breaking of bread.