Each year the week leading up to Easter is always such a special time. I love sharing the Bible with children and want to invite you along as I prepare and teach kids about Palm Sunday. Here are my plans for little learners (ages 3-6). Our excitement for Easter starts the Sunday before, on Palm Sunday. We read the story of Jesus’s Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. I read them this paraphrased story that I wrote based on the Scripture passages (Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-40, and John 12:12-19):
You could also show them this 4-minute video from Minno: The Story of Palm Sunday
If you have the time, I highly recommend reading this sweet story: The Donkey Who Carried a King
Here’s the synopsis: Davey was a young donkey who was bored and unhappy because he was never given anything to do. Then one day, some strangers came to the gate―and Davey’s master picked him for a very special task. Davey carried the King, Jesus, into Jerusalem. A few days later, Davey saw some angry people making the King carry a heavy beam of wood. Davey could not understand it―until another donkey helped him see that the King was being a Servant on behalf of His people.
The Donkey Who Carried a King offers a unique perspective on the events of Jesus’ Passion Week and calls all believers, both young and old, to follow in the footsteps of the Suffering Servant for the glory of God. Jesus was willing to leave the glories of heaven to suffer and die in this world on our behalf, so we should serve Him with all our hearts.
After we read/watch the Bible story we sing some songs. Here’s a fun and easy one, sung to the tune of “She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain”
He’ll be riding on a donkey when he comes (x2)
He’ll be riding on a donkey,
Riding on a donkey,
Riding on a donkey when he comes.
So we’ll sing hosanna when he comes (x2)
So we’ll sing hosanna, sing hosanna,
Sing hosanna when he comes.
We will all come out to meet him when he comes…
We will throw our cloaks before him when he comes…
We will wave our palms to greet him when he comes…
After the songs ask the children if they remember what animal Jesus rode in to Jerusalem on? It was a donkey! Then we complete this cute craft using a fork to paint a donkey:
Our letter focus for this lesson is “P” for “Praise” so we use a dot marker to form a P and then talk about how to correctly write an uppercase and lowercase P. It’s also a great time to review what the people waved at Jesus? Palm branches – the letter P is everywhere!
Then we do several other crafts and activities to review the Bible story and engage the kids:
Palm Sunday is such a great time to prepare our hearts for Easter – and the hearts of the children you are spending time with.
Everything I’ve used can be downloaded in this print-and-go resource – it’s perfect for the busy teacher, Sunday School leader, or homeschooling parent.
This print-and-go resource includes:
- Complete Lesson Plans with activity explanations
- List of materials
- Suggested Bible verse
- Palm Sunday Story Booklet (included in both color and black and white)
- Palm Sunday story half-page booklet for students to color
- Song Suggestions
- Obey Jesus movement game
- Jesus Needs This Donkey! Craft
- Waving Palm Branches
- P is for Praise dot marker page
- P is for Praise Handwriting Practice
- Hosanna Letter Matching
- I Will Praise Jesus Handprint Palm Craft
- Ways I Can Worship Jesus Craft
- Even the Rocks Will Praise Him! nature activity
- Sizing It Up
- Important Characters Tracing Practice
- HOSANNA puzzle
- Luke 19:38 Bible Verse Poster
- Bible verse cards: Luke 19:38 (10 per page)
Looking for more fun, engaging, and Biblically-accurate resources for children?
