I’d like to share with you some simple, yet super-fun activities that you can use during your Palm Sunday services. These activities have been specially designed with preschoolers in mind, so you can communicate the events of Palm Sunday in a way that they will understand. Let’s get started!
6 Palm Sunday Activities Preschoolers Love
1. Bible Time: Jesus enters Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1-11)
Supplies: Bible, paper palm branches (can be made out of green construction paper)
Have children sit in a circle. Open your Bible to Matthew 21, and show children the words. Give each child a paper palm branch.
Say: Today’s Bible passage tells us that Jesus deserves our praise. When Jesus lived on earth, some people praised him by waving palm branches and shouting, “Hosanna!” Do you think you can jump up and wave your palm branch every time I say hosanna? Let’s try it. Hosanna! Encourage children to jump up, wave their palm branches, and then sit back down.
The people were excited; a parade was coming! This wasn’t just any parade-the celebration was for Jesus! Jesus was riding into Jerusalem on a donkey. As Jesus passed by, the people shouted, “Hosanna!” Pause for the children to jump up and wave their palm branches and then sit back down.
Many of the people knew that Jesus was a very special person. They thought he was special because he did so many good things and because they had been waiting for him to come for a long time. The people took off their coats and spread them on the ground for the donkey to walk on. Then they shouted, “Hosanna!” Pause for the waving of palm branches. The people waved their palm branches and again shouted, “Hosanna!” Have children jump up and wave the palms and then sit back down.
Someone asked, “Who is that?” The people answered, “This is Jesus, who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna!” Have children jump up and wave the palms and then sit back down.
Ask:
• What do you think of the way the people celebrated Jesus?
• What can you do to celebrate Jesus?
Say: The people celebrated and praised Jesus because he was so special. We want to praise Jesus, too. Jesus deserves our praise.
2. Bible Experience: Hosanna Hop
Supplies: jackets, paper palm branches
Ask the children to help you prepare the “road” for Jesus by spreading the jackets along a pretend path. Encourage children to take turns trotting or galloping down the road. While one child is taking a turn going down the road pretending to be Jesus, encourage the rest of the children to line up beside the road with their palm branches. Have kids wave their palm branches and shout, “Hosanna!”
Ask:
• How do you think the people felt as they were praising Jesus?
• How does it make you feel to praise Jesus?
Say: Jesus is holy. He is the Son of God. He deserves all honor and glory. Jesus deserves our praise.
