Here are some fun ways to make the story come alive for the kids.- Rivers, streams, creeks, even water in the buckets turns to blood killing all the fish and the water will stink.
Hold out a stick/rod/staff over the pretend river. "Watch" it turn to blood. Ask your child what color would it be. Ask them what color should it be. Have them hold their noses b/c the smell is so awful.
Now jump around like frogs. Talk about where they Egyptians might have found frogs - on their tables, in their seats, in their dishes, in their ovens, etc.
Now strike your stick/rod/staff on the ground. Explain that when Aaron (Moses' helper) did this the dust became gnats. Help your child understand what a gnat is and how they fly in your face, they get up by your eyes, they just pester your skin and how you have to swat them. Have them swat them everywhere.
Continue with swatting the gnats but explain now there was flies everywhere. Buzzing here and there. Buzz with your child. But explain that God did not send flies where the Israelites where; He kept them safe. Make a "safe" zone in your house and fly there, buzzing as you go and then stop buzzing and moving once in the safe zone.
Act like different animals. Cows. Donkeys. Camels. Then explain that God caused all the animals to die. Fall down on the ground dead. But remember that God protected the Israelites' animals and move to the safe zone where you begin acting like animals again.
- Boils/sores on their skins
Now hold your arm or leg like it is hurting, like it is burning. Explain that God sent boils and sores on all of the men and any animals left.
Describe what it is to them: hard ice that falls from the ground. God send hail all over the land. God warned everyone that they should find shelter and bring all their animals because the hail would be so bad that anyone or any animal left outside when be hurt and die. Run around the try to "hide" and find shelter before the storm comes.
- Locusts everywhere who eat everything
Explain what locusts.. Animals that fly and make noise and they fly in great groups - sometimes there are so many they look like one big giant black cloud. They like to eat up crops. So the locusts came and ate up all the crops - corn, wheat, fruit and all the trees. Pretend to duck as you make the noise of the locusts- humming softly at first and then louder as they come closer.
Then God made it dark outside for three whole days. None of the Egyptians could leave their house because they couldn't see any thing. It was so dark. But the Israelites had light where they lived. Stand on one side of your room and close your eyes and pretend to find an object or make your way to the other side of the room where there is light.
- Death of the first-born child of all Egyptian families
Have the kids sit down and explain that the last plague is a very sad plague. The Pharaoh wouldn't let the Israelites go and be free. He wouldn't obey God so God said that the first child of every family, of every animal would die. Talk about how sad the Egyptians must have been, even the Pharaoh. Explain because of this the Pharaoh decided to listen and let the Israelites go.
End this discussion of the plagues by discussing how powerful God is - He control everything - animals, the water, the sun, even life. And God was powerful enough to protect the Israelites.
Word of Caution - when telling the last plague, remember the focus is that God is powerful and can do anything. At this age do not stay too long on this last plague b/c you do not want your child being scared or thinking if they disobey God He will strike them dead. The focus should be on the fact that God controls everything - even life and that He was able to protect the Israelites and even Moses and Aaron while they talked to the Pharaoh.
