This John 3:16 folded puzzle is a fun little origami craft that unfolds to reveal the message of John 3:16. It only requires a one page template printed double sided, and the folding is fairly easy. This puzzle is unique enough, though, that older kids will enjoy it as well.
My understanding is that these little puzzles were originally called “purse puzzles” and given as love letters in Victorian times. The recipient would discover the message as they unfolded the puzzle.
What better message to put on one of these puzzles than the message of God’s love for us?
Download the John 3:16 Folded Puzzle in ESV
Download the Folded Puzzle in KJV
Download the Folded Puzzle in NASB
Download the Folded Puzzle in NIV
Download the Folded Puzzle in NKJV
As you make this puzzle, you will notice that you are folding the verse backwards, starting at the end of the verse. When you are finished, you will unfold the puzzle and it will read in the correct order.
Materials Needed for the John 3:16 Folded Puzzle:
- One copied template for each student, printed double sided.
- Scissors
- Crayons, colored pencils, or washable markers, if desired. (The puzzle comes in both black and white outline so kids can color their own or full color if kids prefer to fold only.)
Directions for the John 3:16 Folded Puzzle:
- Print the folded puzzle template, double sided.
2. Cut the folded puzzle square out along the outer black edges.
3. Turn the puzzle over so that the children are facing up.
4. Fold the puzzle in half vertically. Open it back up. Fold it in half horizontally. Open it back up.
5. Fold one corner up so that the point is touching the center of the square, using your folded lines as a guide. Repeat with all four corners.
6. This is what you should now see!
7. Again, fold all four corners up to the center.
8. This will be the new image.
9. Again, fold all four corners up to the center.
10. Your folded puzzle is done! Unfold to read the verse. Refold, and play again!
Will you be using this John 3:16 folded puzzle? If so, I would love to hear how it goes, or if you have any suggestions for how to use it. Please scroll down to comment.
May God bless you!
This is so fun and something the kids will share. I am using for AWANAS
This is such a great idea!!! Thank you for sharing this!
Buenas tardes Bendiciones!!!
Está súper está manualidad, será que tienen las plantillas en español
Thank you so much for this puzzle! We will be using it as a new way to learn John 3:16. God bless you.
Hi, any chance that this is available in Spanish?
Thank you for providing this for free.. your creativity provides yet another fun tool for teaching children God's important message.
Any chance that this is available in Spanish?
Hi, any chance that this is available in Spanish?
This is wonderful- thank you!
This is so cool!!!! I’ve printed me a copy 😊 thank you for sharing your talent. I love people like you that create such beautiful ideas to help others know Christ. Bless your heart and time 🥰
I was looking for something unusual or different to use to teach my Sunday School class a most familiar verse that I'm sure they have all memorized. My lesson book text was the story of Nicodemus meeting with Jesus and the key verse was, of course, John 3:16. I stumbled across your little booklet to make and thought it was absolutely adorable! I will pre-make my own then have it unfolded to introduce the lesson. I will say, (as I pretend to have a hard time putting it together) " So many people in the world find it puzzling how we can know for certain that we will one day have eternal life. (I will pretend to be exhausted and have no success in getting the booklet folded correctly. ) "Perhaps, you know of a verse that could help people understand the puzzle. Does John 3:16 tell us? Let's say it together." As we quote it, I will very skillfully be folding the booklet correctly. "Oh, how simple, we just have to read the Bible and believe in Jesus!. Eternal life is really no puzzle at all! " I will then direct them how to solve the puzzle by putting together their own little booklets.
Thank you so much for sharing such a clever little booklet! I'm sure they will love making one for themselves. God bless!
This is brilliant as I used the verse as our memory verse in our online Sunday school and this will be a great way for them to remember the verse. I will be giving these to the children in our services on Easter Sunday. Thank you very much Anna Joy!
Happy Easter to you and your family.
Blessings
Patricia
Could you make this available in Black and white to reduce printing costs?
Cheryl, yes! Black and white outline are included in the downloadable files on pages 2 and 3. Full color is on pages 4 and 5. May God bless you! – Anna Joy
My son was intrigued with this. carried it in his pocket all today. Thank you
Oh, that is so sweet! I am so glad he liked it! Thanks for letting me know. May God bless you! – Anna Joy
I absolutely love this idea! What a great way to introduce key scriptures to kids. Your pictures are great. I appreciate that you provided it in different versions since I stick with the King James Version. I'm excited to do this with the grandchildren.
Oh, Diane, I am so glad that you can use this with your grandchildren. May God bless you! – Anna Joy
Thank you so much! I'm planning on using this with our Wednesday night Kids Club class, I'm sure they will love it!
I am so glad you can use this, Gayle. May God bless you as you minister to these precious kids on Wednesday nights! – Anna Joy
This is really good! However, it becomes too small for little hands to fold – I found it quite hard to make the final folds. Really good artwork though. Not sure I'll use it for preschool or Kindergarten, Primary or Elementary kids with better dexterity.
Thank you for the freebies!
P.S. I had no problem downloading this file and printing it two sided.
Thank you Anna Joy! This is so awesome!
I’m sure my grandchildren will have so much fun playing with it and learning the scripture at the same time. I love it!
Awww, I’m so glad you can use this with your grandchildren. May God bless you! – Anna Joy
Can’t open the file. Disappointed
Oh, no, Donna. I am sorry to hear this. I just included an image below the download links above that, I hope, will help with this problem – if this is the problem you were experiencing. Please let me know if you are still having troubles. May God bless you! – Anna Joy
That is so awesome. Would love them for a child's craft at church but I can't figure out how to download the two sided pictures. Thank you and Happy Easter.
Debbie, I included a picture below the links to see if that helps to clarify how to download. After you have downloaded or opened the print dialogue box, you can choose to print. If you have a printer that has a double sided feature, choose the two pages that you want to print (full color or black and white outline) and click the box next to “print double sided”. If you don’t have that option, you may need to print one side, then flip the paper manually and print the other side. You could also print a copy of each side on separate paper, then make copies of side one on however many pages you need, replace the copy paper back into your printer and make copies of the other side. You will need to experiment so you know which way your printer feeds the paper through. I hope this helps. May God bless you! – Anna Joy
Thank you! ?