Zippy the Bat with the Special Tail – A Preschool Bible Lesson on Being Different
🦇 Zippy the Bat with the Special Tail
(A Preschool Bible Lesson About Being Different and Knowing God Made You Special)
With a toddler-friendly Bible story, hands-on craft, movement game, and catchy song, this lesson is perfect for Sunday School, preschool, children’s church, and homeschool!
📖 Bible Theme:
God made everyone special
✝️ Bible Verse (Toddler Version):
“I am wonderfully made.” – Psalm 139:14
💬 Main Point to Repeat with Kids:
“God made me special — just the way I am!”
📚 Story – “Zippy the Bat with the Special Tail”
Deep inside a cozy cave in the hills of Kentucky lived a little bat named Zippy.
Zippy was cheerful and liked to zoom and zip (that’s how he got his name!). But there was one thing that made him different from all the other bats at school — Zippy had a tail.
It was a long tail that stuck out when he flew. The other bats would giggle sometimes.
“Bats don’t have tails, Zippy!” they’d say.
Zippy tried to tuck it in, hide it under his wings, or twist it out of sight.
He even whispered one night, “God, why did You give me this tail? Why am I different?”
Zippy felt sad. He didn’t want to stand out — he just wanted to be like everyone else.
🌙 One Windy Night…
During flying practice, a strong wind whooshed through the cave.
The little bats squeaked in fright as their school papers went spinning through the air.
“Help! My map flew away!” cried Bella the Bat.
But Zippy’s tail caught the corner of Bella’s paper just before it fluttered away.
He grinned. “Got it!”
The teacher, Mrs. Flutterwing, smiled. “That was quick thinking, Zippy!”
🌾 The Next Morning…
When the bats went to gather fruit for their snack time, one of the baskets was way down in a small hole.
“Oh no! It’s too deep to reach!” said Benny.
Zippy peeked over the edge. “Maybe I can help…”
He lowered his long tail down, wrapped it around the handle, and tugged.
Up came the fruit basket! 🍇🍎
“Wow!” said Benny. “Zippy’s tail saved snack time!”
Zippy started to feel something warm in his heart.
Maybe his tail wasn’t a mistake after all.
🌤️ A Few Days Later…
A tiny baby bat was learning to fly and got tangled in the vines outside the cave.
Zippy flew out fast. He looped his tail gently around the vine and pulled it loose.
The baby was free!
All the bats cheered.
“Zippy’s tail helped again!” said Mrs. Flutterwing.
Zippy smiled big this time. His tail was special — God had a plan for it all along!
🦇💛
That night, as the stars twinkled high above the cave, Zippy looked at his reflection in a little puddle and said,
“Thank You, God, for making me just the way I am. My tail helps me help others — and that’s pretty amazing.”
He zipped through the cave with joy, tail wiggling proudly behind him.
🧡 Lesson Thought for Preschoolers:
Being different isn’t bad — it’s beautiful!
God made each one of us special, with different gifts and ways to help others.
Repeat together:
“God made me special — and He loves me just the same!”
📘 Teacher’s Guide Note:
Use these answers to help guide your class discussion after reading the story. Encourage preschoolers to share their own thoughts, even if the answers sound simple or silly! Remind them that everyone is learning about God’s love together. These short answers will help you reinforce the Bible truth that God made each of us special for a reason.
💬 Let’s Talk About It (with Answers):
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Why was Zippy different from the other bats?
➡️ Zippy had a tail, and none of the other bats did. That made him feel different and sometimes sad. -
How did Zippy use his tail to help others?
➡️ He used it to catch papers in the wind, lift a fruit basket, and rescue a baby bat from vines. His tail helped others in special ways! -
What did Zippy learn about God?
➡️ Zippy learned that God made him special on purpose — and that being different is part of God’s wonderful plan. God loves him just the same as everyone else!
🎲 Activity – “Tail Tag!”
Supplies: Strips of yarn or ribbon
Tie a short piece of yarn to the back of each child’s shirt as their “tail.”
Have them pretend to be bats fluttering around the room.
Encourage them to use their “tails” to “help” each other — maybe they hand a toy to a friend, pick something up, or just make each other laugh!
💬 Say together: “God made my tail — or hands, or smile — to help others!”
🎨 Craft – “Zippy the Bat Craft”
Supplies:
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Paper plates or black construction paper
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Glue, crayons, scissors
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Googly eyes
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Black paper wings
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Brown or black yarn (for Zippy’s tail)
Instructions:
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Cut out a bat shape from a paper plate or black paper.
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Add eyes and wings.
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Glue a short piece of yarn on the back for Zippy’s tail.
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Write across the bat:
👉 “God made me special!” – Psalm 139:14
🎵 Zippy’s Special Tail
(Original Preschool Bible Song – By Church House Collection. All Rights Reserved.)
Verse 1
Zippy the bat had a tail that twirled,
He wished it wasn’t part of his world.
He flapped his wings and sighed a bit,
Not knowing God had plans for it.
🌟 Chorus
God made me special — that’s okay!
He loves me just the same each day.
Different wings or tails that spin,
God’s great plan is working within!
Verse 2
The wind blew strong, the cave turned loud,
Papers flew past the flapping crowd.
Zippy reached out with his tail so fast,
He caught those pages as they passed!
🌟 Chorus
God made me special — that’s okay!
He loves me just the same each day.
Different wings or tails that spin,
God’s great plan is working within!
Verse 3
A baby bat was stuck in vines,
Zippy heard the frightened whines.
He used his tail to set him free,
And all the bats cheered joyfully!
🌟 Chorus
God made me special — that’s okay!
He loves me just the same each day.
Different wings or tails that spin,
God’s great plan is working within!
Verse 4
Now Zippy sings beneath the moon,
He flaps his wings to God’s sweet tune!
He twirls his tail with joy and grace,
God’s love shines bright on every face.
🌟 Final Chorus
God made me special — that’s okay!
He loves me just the same each day.
Different wings or tails that spin,
God’s great plan is working within!
💡 Classroom Tip for Teachers
While your students color their Zippy the Bat coloring page or craft, you can keep the classroom atmosphere calm and engaging by playing the YouTube song softly in the background on repeat.
The gentle, repetitive music helps:
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Maintain a peaceful and focused environment
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Reinforce the story theme through the song’s message
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Keep students happily humming along as they work
Set the video to loop/replay mode, and let it play continuously during the activity time. This simple addition turns craft time into a cozy, faith-filled moment where kids can reflect on God’s truth while creating something joyful with their hands.
🎵 Song – “God Made Me Special”
(Tune: “Jesus Loves Me”)
God made me, yes it’s true,
He made me and He made you!
Different wings and tails and hair,
God’s great love is everywhere!
🎶 Yes, God made me!
🎶 Yes, God made me!
🎶 Yes, God made me —
Just the way I’m meant to be!
📝 Poem – “Zippy’s Tail”
Zippy had a little tail,
He thought it made him odd or frail.
But God had planned that tail to be—
A helping tool for all to see!
🎭 Pretend Play Game – “Bat Cave Helpers”
Turn your classroom into a “bat cave”!
Use chairs and blankets to make pretend tunnels.
Let the kids fly (walk or crawl) through the cave pretending to help each other find fruit, save baby bats, or carry snacks with their “tails.”
End by shouting together:
“God made me special!”
🍎 Snack Idea – “Batty Trail Mix”
Supplies:
Small cups, cereal, pretzels, mini marshmallows, raisins, and chocolate chips.
Mix together and call it “Zippy’s Trail Snack.”
Talk about how each piece is different, but they all go together — just like how God made us all unique!
🖍️ Coloring Page – Zippy the Bat with the Special Tail
Let children color their very own Zippy! Remind them that God made everyone special — tails, wings, and all. 🦇✨ Grab the free pdf download right here: CLICK HERE
🙏 Closing Prayer (Repeat After Me)
Dear God,
Thank You for making me special.
Thank You for loving me just the way I am.
Help me to use my gifts to help others.
Amen.
📬 Take-Home Note for Parents
Today we learned that God made every child wonderfully unique!
Talk with your child about something that makes them special — a smile, a talent, or kindness — and thank God for it together before bedtime.
🌟 Adaptive Learning – How Everyone Can Join In
📚 Story Time
Use a small plush bat or a paper bat puppet to represent Zippy.
For nonverbal children: provide picture cards of “bat,” “tail,” “cave,” “friends,” and “God.”
Kids can smile, flap their arms, or press a sound button that says, “God made me special!”
🎲 Activity – Tail Tag
Use soft ribbons or Velcro tails that can be worn on wrists, wheelchairs, or clothing.
For children who cannot move around, let them be the “Tail Leader” who chooses helpers or colors of tails.
They can point, nod, or smile to participate in decisions.
🎨 Craft – Zippy the Bat Craft
Pre-cut bat wings and body shapes.
Offer yarn or soft felt tails that stick easily with glue dots or Velcro.
For children with limited mobility, let them choose the color of Zippy’s tail or where it should be placed while a helper glues it.
🖍️ Coloring Page
Provide thick crayons, markers with adaptive grips, or sponge daubers.
For children who cannot color, let them pick colors by pointing or pressing a “blue,” “black,” or “orange” button.
Helpers can color where the child points.
🎵 Song & Motions – “God Made Me Special”
Children who can move may flap their “bat wings” during the song.
For nonverbal kids, provide shakers, bells, or rhythm sticks.
They can also press a button that says, “God made me!” at the end of each verse.
🎭 Pretend Play – Bat Cave Helpers
Children with mobility challenges can direct the “rescue mission” instead of crawling or flying.
They can choose who to help or when to “fly out” of the cave by pressing a buzzer or saying “Go!”
Every child can take part through actions, choices, or joyful expressions.
🍎 Snack Time – Batty Trail Mix
Offer soft snacks for children with texture sensitivities.
Provide a choice board or picture cards for selecting ingredients (like “pretzel,” “marshmallow,” or “raisin”).
A helper can scoop ingredients as the child points or says “yes.”
💛 Special Inclusion Note:
Every child can be part of God’s story — through a smile, a choice, or a sound.
👉 “God made me special — just the way I am!”
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