Palm Sunday activities for kids
Everything you need for Palm Sunday (21 March 2027): a short lesson, a parade, games and crafts that help children see why the crowds shouted "Hosanna!"
Updated 1 November 2026 · How we pick resources
Bible passages: Matthew 21:1–11, Mark 11:1–11, Luke 19:28–40 and John 12:12–19, with the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9.
Big idea: Jesus is the King who came humbly, riding on a donkey, to save his people.
A 45-minute Palm Sunday lesson (ages 5–11)
- Opener (5 min): "If a king came to our town, how would he arrive?" Then: Jesus chose a young donkey.
- Story (10 min): Read Matthew 21:1–11. Point out the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9 ("your king comes to you… riding on a donkey") written about 500 years earlier.
- Hosanna parade (10 min): Children wave paper palm branches and lay coats or towels on the floor as one child walks the "road". Everyone shouts "Hosanna to the Son of David!" (Matthew 21:9). "Hosanna" means "save us", which is exactly what Jesus came to do.
- Game (10 min): Find the donkey. Hide a paper donkey; give "warmer, colder" clues. Whoever finds it answers one review question.
- Prayer (5 min): Thank Jesus for being a humble King.
Review questions
- What animal did Jesus ride into Jerusalem? (A young donkey, a colt, Matthew 21:2–7)
- What did people spread on the road? (Their cloaks and branches, Matthew 21:8)
- What did the crowd shout? ("Hosanna!", Matthew 21:9)
- Which prophet had said the king would come riding on a donkey? (Zechariah, Zechariah 9:9)
- What kind of branches does John mention? (Palm branches, John 12:13)
- What did Jesus say would happen if the crowd kept quiet? (The stones would cry out, Luke 19:40)
For preschool (ages 3–5)
Keep it short and active: tell the story with a toy donkey, do the parade, and sing a simple "Hosanna" song. A handprint palm branch (green paint on paper) makes an easy take-home.
For preteens and teens
Ask: the same city that shouted "Hosanna" on Sunday was shouting "Crucify him!" by Friday (Mark 15:13). Why do people change so quickly? What kind of king were they expecting, and what kind of King was Jesus?
Resources we recommend
DLTK's Bible
Why we picked it: Free Palm Sunday crafts and colouring pages organised by Bible story, ideal for preschool and early primary.
Long-running free collection of Bible crafts, coloring pages, worksheets, games and songs for children, organized by Bible story.
Ministry-To-Children
Why we picked it: Free Palm Sunday lessons, crafts and games, plus a children's sermon if you're leading in the main service.
Thousands of free Bible lessons, sermons, games, coloring pages and crafts from a veteran children's pastor; includes a dedicated Bible games section and 300-question trivia bank.
Sunday School Works
Why we picked it: A free weekly lesson that follows the church calendar, so Palm Sunday is ready to print.
A free weekly Bible lesson and children's sermon, ready to print, following the church calendar — a free ministry of The Sunday School Store.
Review game for Holy Week
The Palm Sunday category is one of five in our Easter game show, so it works on Palm Sunday and again on Easter Sunday.
Bible Showdown: The Easter Story
A click-to-play Bible game show on Holy Week and the resurrection. Kids, preteens and teens each get their own 25 questions plus a Final Round, all with Bible references. Plays in any web browser with automatic scoring, or as a PowerPoint, with printable cards for classes without a screen.
Next: Holy Week activities and Easter Bible games for kids.