Palm Sunday — The Triumphal Entry Preschool Lesson
Preschool lesson (ages 3–6, 20 minutes)
1. Welcome (3 min)
Sit in a circle, greet every child by name and show one thing from the story to touch.
2. The little story (5 min)
Teach the refrain first: “Jesus the King rode in on a donkey.”
Jesus and his friends were walking to the big city of Jerusalem. It was time for a big feast, a special holiday for God. People from everywhere were coming to the city.
Jesus and his friends came to a hill called the Mount of Olives. Olive trees grow there. From that hill you can see the city. There Jesus sent two of his friends ahead.
Jesus said, “Go into the village. You will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, The Lord needs them.” A colt is a young donkey.
The two friends went. They found the donkey and the colt, just as Jesus said. They brought them to Jesus.
The friends laid their coats on the young donkey. Jesus sat on it. Then off they went, down the hill toward the city. Clip-clop, clip-clop! Can you make the sound of the donkey’s feet? Jesus the King rode in on a donkey.
A very big crowd came out to meet him. Many people spread their coats on the road. A coat on the road is like a carpet for a king! Can you pretend to lay your coat down on the road?
Others cut branches from the trees. They took branches of palm trees and waved them. Palm trees have long, green leaves, like big feathers. Wave, wave, wave! Jesus the King rode in on a donkey.
The people were so glad. They praised God with a loud voice. They praised him for all the great things they had seen Jesus do.
They shouted, “Hosanna to the son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” Jesus’ friends shouted too, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest!”
Hosanna means: save us! People shouted it with joy to God. Let’s wave our arms and shout, “Hosanna!”
The son of David means the King from King David’s family. God had promised to send that King. Now the people were shouting: here he is! Jesus the King rode in on a donkey.
Some leaders did not like it. “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” they said. That means: Tell them to be quiet!
Jesus answered them. “I tell you that if these were silent, the stones would cry out.” Even the stones would shout, if the people did not! Jesus is that great.
Jesus came into Jerusalem. The whole city was stirred up. Stirred up means everyone was excited and talking. “Who is this?” the people asked. The crowds said, “This is the prophet, Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”
Most kings rode on big horses. But Jesus came on a young donkey. Long before, God had promised it through a prophet. “Behold, your King comes to you, humble, and riding on a donkey.” Humble means not proud.
Jesus is God’s King, gentle and kind. Jesus the King rode in on a donkey.
3. Talk together (3 min)
- How do you think the crowd felt when they saw Jesus coming?
- What would you have put on the road for Jesus?
4. Move (3 min)
Refrain Freeze: move around the room; when you say the refrain, everyone freezes and says it together.
5. Make (4 min)
Color the 2 friends Jesus sent and the 2 donkeys they found.
6. Verse and prayer (2 min)
“Hosanna to the son of David!” — Matthew 21:9 (Hosanna → wave your arms like palm branches; to the son of David → bow your head)
Dear Jesus, you are the King. Hosanna! Thank you for coming to us. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: Jesus is a gentle King
Memory verse: “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest!” — Luke 19:38 · WEB
The Bible story
The King of kings rides into Jerusalem on a gentle donkey while the crowds wave branches and cheer — but who is this special King?
Talk about it
- What city was Jesus coming near at the start of the story? — Jerusalem
- How many friends did Jesus send ahead to fetch the animal? — Two friends
- What animal did Jesus ask His friends to bring? — A young donkey
- What should the friends say if anyone asked about the donkey? — The Lord needs it
- Long ago, how did a prophet promise the King would come? — Gentle, riding a donkey
- What did the people spread on the road for Jesus? — Their cloaks
Where is Jesus in this story?
Palm Sunday shows us that Jesus is the promised King God sent to rescue His people. Long before, the prophets said a gentle King would come riding on a donkey, and Jesus made that promise come true. He came not to be served like other kings, but to love us and to save us. The very same Jesus the children cheered for is the King who still loves you today and wants to be close to your heart.
What God wants to tell us
On Palm Sunday, Jesus did not come with soldiers or a big golden crown. He came softly, riding a little donkey, showing us that He is a King of peace and love. God wants us to know that the mightiest King of all is also the kindest and gentlest friend we could ever have. Just like the crowds on that first Palm Sunday, we can praise Jesus with happy hearts and trust that He always keeps His promises.
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank You for sending Jesus, the gentle and loving King. Help me to praise Him with a happy heart, just like the children with their palm branches. Thank You that You always keep Your promises. I love You. Amen.
Read the story · Coloring page 1 · Coloring page 2 · Quiz · All lessons
Home · All stories · Topics · Coloring pages · Quizzes · Sunday school lessons
