Chubby hands and lifted arms were stretched heavenward.  Children’s happy voices rang out the melody.  The title of this post is also the title of a sweet song from my past.  Maybe you remember it from your childhood too?  

In my first recollection of “Praise Him, Praise Him”, I wasn’t much older than a toddler and sitting in a tiny wooden chair next to the piano where Mother was playing at church.  For years, she was the Sunday School pianist during our group opening exercises before we’d divide into age groups for class.  Seated up front beside Mother, I felt special and could see and hear everything.  I could also reach the hem of her dress when I needed to hold on because teachers were hurrying past us taking care of last minute details.  Sometimes I thought I just might be accidentally knocked over!  

In later years, I learned every word to all the verses of “Praise Him, Praise Him” and proudly sang along with the older boys and girls.  Sometimes we’d perform this song with hand motions for our parents during VBS closing ceremonies.  The peppy tune was always a favorite!  The second line in this old children’s hymn tells us, “God is Love, God is Love”.  We’d repeat twice the words above and this line to complete the first verse.  There were five verses total, each always ending  with “God is Love, God is Love”.  It made me smile then ~ and still does.  

Is today a good day to praise God with your children?  I’m glad!  Clues for ways to do this are pictured in the synonyms for praise.  They include celebrate, exalt, magnify, and laud.  I love the many images that come to mind!  No wonder praise bands are so popular, right?

Back to your children.  One, two, or more call them to your side, and with a big hug explain you’re going to have a special time together praising God.  God is the maker of heaven and earth and also our wonderful, powerful, loving Father in heaven.  The Bible exhorts us over and over again in the various Psalms how good it is to praise God!  I especially like Psalm 145 through 150.  

But  what exactly  is praise?  Tell  your children  it’s what  we do to show     that we like something or someone.  An example is clapping  your hands  after  a performance.  So praising God is one way we can show God we love Him.  It also lets Him know we’re thankful for all the good things He’s done for us.  Say your special project today will be to copy the praise examples in the Bible by making some simple instruments to play praise music to God. 

You can easily make praise instruments with your children using common household items.  They need not be elaborate.  The joyful noise is what’s important!  Check out the instructions I’ve included at the end of this blog, or find your own DIY on Pinterest. 

When your praise band instruments are ready, get your Bible and slowly read with enthusiasm Psalm 150 to your children.  Don’t rush.  Allow them to experience the feelings behind each word.  Then ask your children to repeat the last verse after you, breaking it into phrases with emphasis on the words everything, praise, and Lord.  You’re planting sweet seeds of faith! 

Now you’re ready to march around the room praising God.  Yes, let everything that has breath praise the Lord!!!  Perhaps you’d like to add an “Everything Praise the Lord” chant.  You may also want to parade outside with your praise instruments.  Or how about starting a praise God habit every Saturday night in preparation for Sunday morning worship?  Would your children like to march to bed praising God with their music?  Have Fun!!!  Remember, God is worthy of our praise! 

 Instructions to Make Praise Band Instruments

Paper Plate tambourine ~ Hold two paper plates, fronts facing each other.  Punch holes every two inches through the edges of both plates.  Use a piece of yarn or ribbon to tie the plates together at each set of opposing holes.  When you’re almost all the way around the plate edges, put a handful of dry beans inside your tambourine.  Finish the tying job and color or decorate the plates with stickers.

Plastic Egg maracas ~ Fill a plastic egg half full with dry rice.  Tape the egg closed using colorful masking or Washi tape.  Place the egg between the bowls of two plastic spoons, facing towards each other.  Wrap more tape around the spoon ends to secure the egg.  Also wrap tape as needed around the spoon handles of your maraca.  

Shoebox harp ~ Decorate the outside of a shoebox.  (Discard the lid.)  Stretch 5 different sizes and widths of rubber bands – top to bottom – around the opening of the shoebox.  The tighter the rubber band is stretched, the higher the pitch when your harp is plucked.

Soda Bottle trumpet ~ Carefully cut the top spout off a 2-liter plastic bottle.  Tape this trumpet mouthpiece to the end of an empty paper towel tube.  One will fit inside the other.  Now decorate a piece of construction paper and roll it into the shape of a funnel.  Tape the small end of the funnel to the other end of the paper towel tube to complete your trumpet. 

Guest post by Cathy D. Dudley, author of Toddler Theology: Childlike Faith for Everyone and Faith, Family, and Fun.

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