Jesus’ decision to ride into Jerusalem on a donkey was no accident. It was a deeply symbolic act, rooted in Old Testament prophecy and full of spiritual meaning. For children, this is a powerful moment to understand the heart of Christ—humble, peaceful, and fulfilling God’s promises.

Here are eight imaginative and faith-rich ways to help kids grasp the message behind Jesus’ ride into Jerusalem:

1. Interactive Role Play: “Hosanna Parade”

📖 “They brought the donkey and the colt to him and threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it.” — Matthew 21:7 (NLT)

🧒🏼 What to Do:

• Create a pretend “Jerusalem road” using jackets, towels, or masking tape on the floor.
• Let one child pretend to be Jesus riding a broomstick donkey.
• Others wave homemade palm branches and shout “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”

💡 Spiritual Connection: This teaches kids the joy of welcoming Jesus and reminds them that Jesus is King, not of armies and politics, but of hearts.

2. Craft Activities: Palm Branches & Donkey Puppets

📖 “Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph… Look, your king is coming to you. He is humble, riding on a donkey.” — Zechariah 9:9 (NLT)

🎨 Craft Ideas:

• Handprint Palm Branches: Trace and cut handprints on green paper. Glue several together for a palm branch.
• Donkey Puppets: Use popsicle sticks, googly eyes, construction paper ears, and yarn tails.

💡 Spiritual Connection: Creating these symbols opens the door to talk about how the donkey represents humility and peace, unlike the warhorses kings usually rode.

3. Games: “Pin Jesus on the Donkey”

📖 “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others.” — Mark 10:45 (NLT)

🎯 How to Play:

• Hang a large paper donkey on the wall.
• Use a small picture of Jesus on a sticky note or Velcro.
• Blindfold the child and see how close they can get Jesus to the donkey’s back.

💡 Spiritual Connection: While laughing and playing, kids can talk about why Jesus chose a donkey—not to conquer with power, but to serve with love.

4. Songs and Movement: Praise Through Music

📖 “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!” — Luke 19:40 (NLT)

🎵 Try This Song: “Jesus Came” (To the tune of “Yankee Doodle”) Jesus came into the town, Riding on a donkey. People waved their palms and said, “Hosanna to the King-y!”

🎤 How to Use It:

• March around waving palms.
• Sing the song while reenacting the story.

💡 Spiritual Connection: Music helps kids internalize truths—in this case, that Jesus is worthy of joyful praise because of who He is, not just what He does.

5. Live Donkey Experience (if possible)

📖 “Your King is coming… He is humble, riding on a donkey.” — Matthew 21:5 (NLT)

🫏 Why It Matters: Seeing and petting a real donkey brings the story to life in a way no video or book can.

🧠 Discuss This Question: “Why didn’t Jesus ride a big, fancy horse like a king?”

💡 Spiritual Connection: Jesus chose a humble animal to show He came in peace. This is a vivid example of how God’s ways are surprising but filled with love.

6. Storytelling with Sensory Elements: “Jerusalem Journey”

📖 “A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.” — Matthew 21:8 (NIV)

🧒🏽 What to Do:

• Create a sensory storytelling experience with actual textures and sounds.
• Lay out fabric “cloaks,” real palm fronds (or paper ones), and play Middle Eastern music softly.
• As you tell the story, have children feel the different textures and listen to the sounds of the crowd.

💡 Spiritual Connection: This helps children understand that Jesus’ arrival was a multi-sensory event that engaged all the senses, making His humble entrance even more remarkable.

7. Donkey Service Project: “Carrying Others’ Burdens”

📖 “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” — Galatians 6:2 (NIV)

🎁 Activity Ideas:

• Discuss how the donkey carried Jesus as an act of service.
• Have children identify ways they can “carry burdens” for others.
• Create “service coupons” for family members (help with dishes, pick up toys, etc.).

💡 Spiritual Connection: The donkey’s humble service reflects Jesus’ own servant heart, teaching children that following Jesus means serving others with humility.

8. Contrast Activity: “Kings of Then and Now”

📖 “Look, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey.” — Matthew 21:5 (NIV)

🏰 What to Do:

• Show pictures of how kings typically appeared (on warhorses, with crowns, in grand processions).
• Create a simple chart comparing earthly kings (powerful, wealthy, commanding) with Jesus as King (humble, gentle, serving).
• Let children decorate two crowns—one fancy with jewels and one simple with thorns.

💡 Spiritual Connection: This helps children understand the revolutionary nature of Jesus’ kingship and how it differs from worldly power.

Bonus Ideas:

• Palm Branch Snack: Make “palm branches” using celery sticks and peanut butter with pretzel stick “stems.”
• Hosanna Tambourines: Create simple percussion instruments using paper plates, dried beans, and staples to celebrate with joyful noise.
• Prayer Station: Set up a space where children can write or draw thank-you notes to Jesus for His humility and love.

🌿 Final Thought for Kids:

Jesus didn’t come to show off. He came to show love.

Palm Sunday reminds us that our King rides not with pride but with peace. Whether through play, music, or crafts, children can understand that Jesus is the King who chooses humility, the Savior who brings joy, and the Friend who welcomes praise.