Nur’s Nook: Create a Castle of Courage
“Strive . . . to turn wholly toward the Kingdom, that ye may acquire innate courage and ideal power.”
—‘Abdu’l-Bahá
Do you always feel brave? I try to, but sometimes it’s not easy. Being brave doesn’t mean I’m never scared. It’s a power I use to help me face my fears. If I’m afraid, I like to talk things over with family or friends. Saying prayers helps, too. When I’m calm, it’s easier to be courageous and make smart choices.
Sometimes bravery means saying no—like the time mean mosquitoes wanted me to bully a beetle. What are some challenges you’ve had? Did they give you a chance to build up your courage?
My cool castle craft can boost courage, too. You can make one and fill it with quotes, prayers, and ideas that inspire you. Include actions that can empower you to make your neighborhood and the world more noble.
You’ll Need:
Large shoebox with secured lid, smaller boxes and paper tubes, scissors, pencil, tacky glue, ruler, clear tape, markers, 4" (10.2 cm) paper circles or doilies, two pieces of 11½" (29.2 cm) string, wrapping paper, card stock, toothpicks
What You Do:
Step 1(a): Set largest portion of large box on wrapping paper. Trace around it.
Step 1(b): Cut tracing out. Spread glue evenly on top of box lid and cover with paper.
Step 2: Draw 6½" x 5" (16.5 x 12.7 cm) rectangle for drawbridge at bottom edge of box. Carefully cut top and sides to make a flap (leave bottom edge attached).
Step 3(a): Cut slits ½" (1.3 cm) from each top corner of drawbridge. Thread strings through slits, so most of each string is inside castle. Tape short ends to drawbridge.
Step 3(b): Tape other string ends inside top corners of doorway, so drawbridge lies flat and strings are taut.
Step 4: Glue wrapping paper to other sides of box, and to smaller boxes and tubes for rooms and towers.
Step 5(a): For smaller cone-shaped rooftops, cut paper circles in half. For larger cones, cut straight line from outer edge to circle’s center.
Step 5(b): From corners, wrap cut ends of half or whole circle snugly around each other to form cones. Secure with tape.
Step 6: For flags, glue 1" (2.5 cm) card stock triangles to toothpicks. Cut tiny portion off tip of some cones and insert flagpoles in openings. Glue flagpoles to cones, and glue cones to towers.
Step 7: Use glue to attach smaller rooms and towers to castle.
Step 8: Cut out windows, doors, bricks, and trim from card stock and glue to castle. Add details with markers.
Step 9: On slips of card stock, invite family to write quotes, prayers, and ideas for building courage. You could include ideas for brave actions, like “Speak up against racism” or “Tell someone about your faith.” Store slips inside castle and read them for encouragement or new challenges.
For a printable version, download a PDF of this craft.
Characters466 Nur143 Arts and Crafts203 Crafts201 Castles4 Bravery24 Courage64 Play and Create742 Creativity245 Communities46 Bullying54