Grab some paper plates from your pantry and tap along with this fun Build an Ark Paper Plates pattern! This pattern follows the natural rhythm of the song and makes for an engaging singing time idea that your primary children are sure to love!
**See ALL Build an Ark Singing Time Ideas Here!**
Build an Ark Paper Plates
Paper Plates are just about some of the cheapest instruments swaps out there! Whether you are just getting started as a music leader or are a seasoned pro, you’ll want to keep a set of paper plates tucked in your primary closet, along with some of our favorite singing time supplies!
As you teach Build an Ark (archives) in primary this month, focus on the rhythm with this fun pattern using homemade paper plate instruments! You will love how cheap and easy this activity is. Just bring in enough paper plates for each child to have a set of two.
I’ve created a fun rhythm pattern using just 4 different actions that works beautifully with any verse you are teaching!
Sing through Build an Ark with this flip chart once before passing out the paper plates. I chose to focus specifically on the first verse for this activity.
Pass out paper plates and demonstrate the first action in the pattern by tapping in a big circle while singing, “Noah was a prophet, a man who did not fear.” Have the kids echo sing after you.
Next, pat your lap for the line: “When he taught repentance, the people would not hear.” Pat once for each beat.
For the next action, cross your right hand over to tap your left knee. Switch to your left hand/right knee and tap on each emphasized beat of the line, “So the Lord told him to build a boat that could hold a ton and stay afloat.”
The last action is a simple swish. Swish your plates back and forth while singing, “Noah started building and said within his heart.”
Nice job! Let’s try all 4 actions again. Who can remember the very first part of the pattern? Sing through the first 5 lines using the paper plate actions. Then, just repeat the same pattern for the last 4 lines of the song! Way to go!
Have some fun singing through the song as you follow the rhythm pattern. Be sure to collect all the paper plates at the end so that you can use them next time!
Paper Plates Pattern:
Here’s a quick run-down of the paper plates pattern for this activity. I’ve also included a short demonstration video to make your singing time prep even easier! This pattern repeats a total of two times for the verse.
- Tap in a Circle – “Noah was a prophet, a man who did not fear”
- Pat Lap – “When he taught repentance, the people would not hear”
- Diagonal Knee Pats (Right hand to left knee) – “So the Lord told him to build a boat that could hold a ton and stay afloat”
- Swish – “Noah started building and said within his heart”
*Repeat all 4 actions for the last 4 lines
Extension Activities:
- Assign one action/line to each class. Have each class do their paper plate actions and sing along with their assigned line. Then, try out a new action.
- Listen and tap on keywords instead! Tap on words like: Noah, Prophet, Repentance, Lord, Building, Heart, Ark, Rain, Follow, Prepare, Walk, Righteous, Ready.
- Rearrange the order of actions! This pattern is pretty flexible and the actions can be adapted to fit any part of the song. Try the pattern backwards or swap two rhythms!
Build an Ark Paper Plates Demo Video!
Watch this short demonstration video to clear up any questions you might have about this pattern and practice a few times before primary! In this video, I’ll explain all 4 rhythm actions and demonstrate the entire paper plates pattern using the first verse as an example.
–> Build an Ark Paper Plates Demo Video <–
For another fun similar activity, head over to see this Choose to Serve the Lord Paper Plates singing time activity!
Build an Ark Paper Plates Printable Song Helps
This free in-post printable includes a single-page paper plates pattern.
This activity has extended printables available including … These bonus printables are included in the INSTANT Primary Singing membership when Build an Ark is the featured song of the month.
Get more out of singing time with the INSTANT Primary Singing membership that includes printable lesson plans, tons of extended printables and an ad-free experience for each featured song of the month, or get immediate access to the entire song list for the year!
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Try this fun Build an Ark Eraser Pass activity and focus on the lyrics by crossing out all the wrong words!
What other fun ways will you use this paper plates singing time activity in your Primary room?
Great ideas!