DLTK's Bible Crafts for Kids
Parchment Commandments

This project gives the children the opportunity to "rewrite" the ten commandments in more modern language.  Combining this exercise with creating their own parchment makes for a fun and educational craft.

Materials:

• cold coffee or tea (about 1/2 cup), 
• piece of white paper, 
• a blow-dryer, 
• some markers.

Instructions:

• Take a piece of nice white paper and rip off all the edges (don't cut them with scissors, rip them!)  If you rip the paper a bit more than you meant to, it's not the end of the world.
• Crumple the paper up as tightly as you can into a ball.
• Flatten the paper out again and put onto a plate or cookie sheet.  (if you haven't told the kids what you're doing, they'll start thinking you're really weird right about now).
• Pour coffee or tea over the paper.  Swoosh around with your hands to make sure it covers everything.
• If you're doing this with a large group of kids, you may want to get it to this point and set them aside for a couple minutes (get the children arranged at the table for writing out their commandments).  Then pull out some finished, dried sheets that you premade.  It keeps the kids from having to sit through the "waiting/drying" parts of the project.
• Let it sit for about 5 minutes 
  • if you're doing it with a group, you don't have to let it sit so long... 2 minutes is enough to give it a little colour.
  • During this time you can brainstorm on a white board or large piece of paper with the children to come up with the 10 commandments in more modern language.
• Pour the coffee or tea off into the sink.
• Blow dry with a hand held blowdryer on high for about 5 minutes (leave it sitting on the plate while blowdrying or it will tear to pieces).  When it's pretty dry (and starts to lift a bit) switch the blowdryer to low to finish off (about another 2 minutes).
• Have the children write out the modernized 10 commandments on their parchment (or use the original ones if that is your preference).
• OPTIONAL:  You can roll the parchment up and slip into a 1/4 toilet paper roll holder which you can decorate with markers or stickers or you can tie with a ribbon to make a rolled up scroll
• OPTIONAL:  Add some invisible ink messages to spice up the project even further.  Use lemon juice and a paint brush to print God Loves You to your parchment.  Then, when an ADULT holds it over a candle or hot lightbulb, the invisible ink turns visible and brown.
• Here is an idea of what your modernized 10 commandments might look like:

1. Put God first
2. Worship only God
3. Use God's name with respect
4. Remember God's Sabbath
5. Respect your parents
6. Don't hurt others
7. Be faithful in marriage
8. Don't steal
9. Don't lie
10. Don't be envious of others

Thanks to Rachel for the following great idea!

If your in a hurry (maybe trying to prepare for a birthday party?), a quicker alternative would be to use pieces of paper grocery bags.  They turn out great also.

Thanks to Marsha for her additional comments!

I have taken the brown craft paper, or grocery bag, tore them into shape I wanted, and then dunked them in water and wadded them up. Squish awhile and then half-heartedly smooth out and let air dry.  They become almost leathery. It's very easy to write on and really looks old.

Printable version of these instructions