Things to talk about while coloring
This scene shows the Christmas story of Jesus born in a stable, with Mary and Joseph beside the manger. A manger is a feeding box for animals, filled here with soft hay. Point to the sheep, the donkey, and the bright star above the stable, and talk about the part the star plays in the story.
Coloring ideas
Warm browns for the wooden stable and golden yellow for the hay and star make the whole scene glow. Mary is often shown in blue, Joseph in brown, and the sheep and donkey can be soft white and gray. Older kids can color the star's light rays in pale yellow, then shade the stable roof in two browns to show the wooden boards.
A little learning
Naming each person and animal, then retelling the story in order, builds listening and retelling skills.
