I realize this is a bit late for Corpus Christi, (I’ve been keeping busy.) But it’s not too late to teach kids the awesome mystery of the Most Holy Eucharist!

This is a simple art project to help kids practice painting straight lines. Practice makes perfect and even young kids can learn to paint straight lines, with a little practice! But the best part of this simple art project is that it’s a great reminder that Jesus is truly present in the Host at church during Mass.

You will need:

  • Stock paper or construction paper or canvas paper
    (color of your choice – We used black and white)
  • paint: – white and yellow on black paper
    -yellow and red on white paper
  • paintbrush
  • paper plate or cups for holding paint
  • Host printable – Available Here (includes printable instructions)
  • glue
  • newspaper to cover the work area
  • brown paint or brown paper for “Cross Version” (optional)
First, add a quarter-size “glop” (that’s art talk for large drop) of paint to the middle of your paper. Leave enough room for the rays and area for the monstrance base.
Now work the paint out in straight lines. Start at the center and go straight out from the center. Do this all the way around. ALWAYS start in the center and go straight out away from the center. This is the straight-line practice.
My kids made a chant, “Middle, go straight out…Middle, go straight out…Middle, go straight out.” It worked well for them! I held my 5-year-old’s hand and directed her paintbrush the first few strokes. Then she was able to do the painting on her own. Now add a second color to the middle and do the same as the first.
You might want to do another drop of the first color again and the second color again – depending on how much the children fills in the area.
Add the stem and base to the monstrance. The stem goes straight down and the base goes straight across. The children can make the base curved (if they have the ability).Now have the children cut out a host circle. (Available Here)
After the paint is dry the children can add the host circle to the center of the rays!

Cross Version:
You may prefer to simply make the rays and add a cross.
Add the cross with brown paint or glue down two strips
of brown paper (as pictured).

Download the printable instructions and host HERE

There you have it!
I hope you enjoy!

11 Comments

  2. It looks so pretty =)congrats to your kids greetings from México

  3. I love visiting… I'm getting such great ideas! We have used several already! JMJ

  4. Hi Jennifer, your children's monstrances turned out so pretty! Love the looks of the paint on both the white and black backgrounds. How fun for them!

  5. What a fun craft—with a beautiful and unique end result! When I was growing up, any craft that involved paint was a winner for me, and I think most of my children's ministry students feel the same way. So I'm sure that they're going to fall in love with this craft! Thank you so much for sharing—I can't wait to jump in and try it.

  6. I'm so excited you adding this post to the Our Favorite Things Link Party. I just love this. Thanks

  7. I can't wait to try this! Thank you for another wonderful idea.

  8. Painting Jesus is always a great summer project…We just set up a painting station outside:) Love this, thank you!

  10. Hi Jennifer, we made monstrances in my RE class this past weekend but used chalk instead of paint. We have a short class time and sometimes paint doesn't dry well enough before the end of class. They would have liked using paint but it may have made going home a mess. I posted about it today and linked back to you. Thank you Jennifer! God bless!

  11. Love it! Hope to teach 2nd grade again. If so, will use this. Maybe will make the Eucharist of glow-in-the-dark material so it can glow in the bedroom even as lights are out. Jesus is always with us.

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