DÍA DE REYES: 10 Three Kings Day Crafts for Kids
These Three Kings Day Crafts are perfect for kids to celebrate DÍA DE REYES, or the Feast of the Epiphany, an important festival in Latin America!
Christmas and New Year celebrations are done with, and most of us feel a little blue at the end of the holiday season. You honestly want to leave up the decorations and feel the buzz of anticipation, but alas, the party’s over and it’s time to go home.
Or is it?
Well, not at all!! Because right at the end of the twelve days of Christmas, we have another festival, called Epiphany or Three Kings Day, to mark the three kings’ arrival in Bethlehem twelve days after the birth of Jesus. Well, that’s certainly an occasion worth celebrating!
What is Three Kings Day or Día de Reyes?
Three Kings Day marks the day three kings, Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar came to visit Baby Jesus in Bethlehem 12 days after his birth. They did so by using the Star of Bethlehem as a guide. The festival is also known as Epiphany, Theophany, or Little Christmas, and the three kings are also referred to as the wise men or the magi.
The three kings brought with them precious gifts – gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The gifts are supposed to represent significant events in Jesus’ life; gold indicated that he would be king, frankincense represented his divine nature and myrrh was a symbol of the suffering that was to ensue.
While Three Kings Day is a major celebration among Catholics around the world, it is particularly important for those in Latin American countries. In countries like Guatemala and others, this festival is known as Día de los Tres Reyes Magos or Día de Reyes and it signifies the official end of Christmas.
How is Three Kings Day celebrated?
Many children in Latin American countries believe that the three kings come bearing gifts, and they’re more popular than Santa! On the eve of the festival, kids leave their shoes next to the Christmas tree or the nativity. They wake up the next morning to find the shoes filled with gifts!
Some kids are smart and leave little wish lists inside their shoes. Others send a letter to the kings by tying it to a balloon and letting it into the sky. Instead of milk and cookies, they leave out grass and water for the kings’ camels.
The most important part of the celebration is of course – the food! Traditional Latin American dishes are prepared, but the star is the Rosca de Reyes which translates to the ‘king’s wreath’. This is bread baked in the shape of a wreath and decorated with dried fruits. The bread usually contains a little Jesus figurine baked into it, and the one finding it must host a party on the Day of Candlemas!
Well, I’m sure you’re dying to know what special recipes you can make for this special day, and while you’re at it, here are some easy Three Kings Day crafts for kids to try out and have fun with!
DÍA DE REYES: Three Kings Day Crafts for Kids
1. Popsicle Stick Kings
We’re not exactly sure how the three kings looked, but I think we can fairly assume that they had beards. Glued to My Crafts uses this fact to give our Popsicle stick kings some nice, fluffy white beards!
2. Toilet Paper Roll Kings Craft
What we love about Three Kings Day crafts made out of toilet rolls is that you can customize them any way you like! The toilet rolls will make sure the kings stand upright, so you can take some tips from De Su Mama and add other details.
3. Three Kings Ornament Craft
You’ve probably made ornaments featuring angels, elves, or even Santa, so why not make one of the three kings? Check out this tutorial from Catholic Icing that shows us how to make this unique craft.
4. Tissue Paper Kings Puppets
We know that the three kings brought with them some precious gifts, so it’s likely that they were quite well-dressed too. Red Ted Art shows us how to make some grand-looking royal robes out of tissue paper!
5. Three Kings Wooden Spoon Craft
This project from The Gingerbread House shows us that you can make Three Kings Day crafts out of anything – even wooden spoons!
6. Three Kings Paper Chain
This three kings day craft from First Palette is quite interesting. You can color in with oil pastels or crayons, and then you can cut it out to form a paper chain. Use it to decorate your home for this festival!
7. Star of Bethlehem Craft
It is said that the three kings found their way to Jesus’ manger by following the Star of Bethlehem, and they guided their camels accordingly. Modern Mami captures this lovely part of the story in this simple craft.
8. Three Kings Finger Puppets
This list of Three Kings Day crafts isn’t just to make – they’re also for you to play with! Baker Ross brings us a project to make some cute finger puppets representing the three kings – now you’re ready to put on your own nativity show!
9. Three Kings Day Printable Card
Want to wish someone a Happy Three Kings Day? Well, Living Mi Vida Loca has made it really easy for you, with a printable card template!
10. Three Kings Papercraft
We love how Papirklip Og Æsker has beautifully captured the scene of the kings carrying their gifts themselves with this papercraft. You can download the printable and follow the instructions to fold it.
BONUS – 3 Kings Printable Crowns
These adorable crowns are perfect for 3 kings Day or just a fun mythological party at school. Free for all paid members in January, grab them from our January Bundle
These Three Kings Day crafts are a beautiful way to round up the holiday season and provide another opportunity for the family to have fun together. Don’t forget to have some delicious food too, like galettes, candied fruits, tamales, and other Latin American delicacies!
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