Celebrate Palm Sunday with fun and engaging activities that help preschoolers understand the significance of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. From crafting palm branches to learning songs, these activities will make the story come alive for young hearts. Get ready to bring this meaningful Bible event to life with hands-on learning!
Scripture: Luke 19:29-42, Mark 11:1-11
Read and Share Toddler Bible: pg 172
The Beginner's Bible: pg 427
My First Hands-On Bible: pg 324
Through the Bible Felt: pg 215
Shorten the verses as appropriate for the child's developmental level.
He is risen, as He said.
Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
Matthew 21:9 (NIV)
The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!
John 12:13 (NIV)
They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
Zechariah 9:9 (NIV)
Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Matthew 21:5 (NIV)
Say to Daughter Zion, See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Psalm 118:26 (NIV)
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you.
Luke 19:38 (NIV)
Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!
Matthew 21:8 (NIV)
A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
Mark 11:9 (NIV)
Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
John 12:15 (NIV)
Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.
Matthew 21:10 (NIV)
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, Who is this?
Help children experience the true meaning of Easter through hands-on learning with our Resurrection Eggs. This engaging activity walks kids through Jesus' last days, from the triumphal entry to the empty tomb, using scripture-filled eggs and meaningful symbols. This simple activity captivates young hearts with the powerful story of our Savior.
Sheet available in the Bible Activity Workbook
Sheet available in the Bible Activity Workbook
Stamp paint on the palm branches with a rectangular sponge.
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All Printables Free for Immediate Family Use and with a Current License Only
Paint the child's hand to stamp onto a piece of paper. Let dry. Cut out and glue to a jumbo popsicle stick. Use a prop during the Bible story.
My kids loved using Resurrection Eggs as a fun and meaningful way to journey through the Easter story. There are several versions you can buy or create, each with different items and orders, leading up to the empty 12th egg. You can open one every few days starting now or save them for closer to Easter. Read more about Resurrection Eggs.
Trace around a child's hand 5-7 times on green construction paper and cut them out. If the child is old enough, encourage them to help cut out the handprints as a fine motor activity. On a separate piece of brown construction paper, cut out a long, rectangular strip to serve as the branch of the palm leaf. Now, glue the handprints along both sides of the brown strip to resemble the palm leaves growing from the branch. Layer them slightly over each other to create fullness. For added stability and as an easy way for the child to hold the palm branch, glue a popsicle stick or a ruler to the back of the brown strip, making it easier to wave. Once the glue is dry, the child can hold and wave their handprint palm branch while reenacting the story of Jesus entering Jerusalem. You can also have them sing a song like "Praise Him, Praise Him" as they wave their palm branches.
Family Use: Start by connecting the dots on the Palm Branch Dot-to-Dot worksheet (numbers 1-13). Once completed, cut out the palm branch shape. Paint the branch using watercolors, and while the paint is still wet, lightly sprinkle some salt over it. Allow the paint to dry fully, then gently brush off the salt to reveal a beautiful stained-glass effect. Finally, glue the palm branch to a popsicle stick. Use it to wave and sing "Praise Him, Praise Him"!
Family Use: Print the Palm Branch Dot-to-Dot. Have the child trace the dots with their index finger first, then guide them to connect the dots with a pencil or crayon. Color or paint the palm branch when finished.
Family Use: Color the Donkey poster. Glue gray yarn for the donkey's mane and tail. Glue to a piece of construction paper.
Family Use: Print the Palm Branch coloring sheet. Paint the branch green and cut it out. Cut slits along the edges. Glue or tape a large craft stick or ruler to the back of the branch. Wave the palm branch as the people would have done for Jesus.
Family Use: Print the Palm Branch coloring sheet. Using thinned glue, spread a thin layer on the palm branch. Add different shades of torn green tissue paper overlapping the pieces. Let dry. Glue along the edges and make lines for the inside of the leaf. Sprinkle glitter over the glue.
Family Use: Print the Donkey Puppet Template. Cut the pieces out on brown or gray paper (make the tongue pink). Glue the head to the bottom of a lunch-size brown paper sack. Glue legs to the sides and opening (be sure to glue the legs so that the hand will not cover them up). Glue the tongue inside the fold. Cut short pieces of brown or gray yarn and glue on for the donkey’s mane.
Interactive Bible Stories
Discover ideas from the age-appropriate, Interactive Bible scripts available in the New Testament Curriculum, 1 Year Interactive Bible Stories, 2 Year Interactive Bible Stories. and 3 Year Interactive Bible Stories
How to Explain Palm Sunday to Children
In telling this story to children, it is easy to get caught up in the cute green construction-paper palm branches and little voices shouting “Hosanna.” But I think there is more to this story for our children to learn. Here are a few ideas about how to talk to your kids about Palm Sunday. Read more...
