An Introduction to Easter – Palm Sunday
This session is for children aged 1-4, but do keep it really short and simple for under 2’s.
Make sure you read the full session before you start, and check out these practical tips to get the most out of your time together.
We pray you’ll have a wonderful, fun time with your little ones!
Over this few weeks, we are going to be looking at what Jesus did for us, in that very first Easter.
Make it special: Sing sleeping bunnies or a favourite song to get you warmed up and ready to start!
WORSHIP: (5 MINS) Let’s celebrate and praise Jesus together!
You could use these songs or any of your own favourites:
INTRO (7 MINS)
EXPLORE MORE ABOUT PALM SUNDAY:
Watch: The Story of Easter(3 mins)
Read:
The Candle Bible p326
Jesus Calling Bible p204
The Lion First Bible p422
In the Bible: Mark 11:1-11
QUICK UNPACK (2 MINS)
The people praised Jesus because of who he is: friend, loving, saviour, healer, powerful…
We can praise and thank him too.
What has Jesus done for us?
Chat simply about who he is. You could share some stories of what Jesus has done for you.
SHOUT OUT
Say together: WHO CAN PRAISE JESUS? WE CAN!
Keep saying it using silly voices, whispers, robot, squeaky… or make up some actions!
FUN ACTIVITIES (5-10 MINS)
Click here to download this week’s print-at-home resources
Play:
Recreate the story: Place any farm animals you may have in a small tray with some oats/pasta or sand/kinetic sand. Which animal could be the donkey? Who could be Jesus? Play out the story and have fun together exploring the textures and sights…
I wonder which is your favourite part of the story. I wonder what Jesus/the people are feeling. I wonder where we are in the story.…
Pretend to be the donkey and give your child rides on your back – they can be Jesus! Put blankets on the floor for the ‘donkey’ to plod over, other family members can wave things to praise Jesus! Or use your palm branch (see below)!
Create:
Make your own palm branch! See ideas on the activity sheet for inspiration.
Cut out a leaf shape from paper, decorate and stick onto rolled up paper.
Or draw round your hands a few time, cut out and stick onto sticks or tubes of paper/kitchen roll middles.
Wave them around to praise Jesus.
Palm Sunday colouring
Resources: pdf template of activities, tape, glue, paper, pens/crayons, coloured paper, stickers, tray, pasta/oats/safe sand, farm animals, blankets.
PRAYER TIME (2 MINS)
SHOUT OUT: WHO CAN PRAISE JESUS? WE CAN!
Praise Him: If you’d been there the day Jesus rode on the donkey (hee haw!) what would you have shouted out to him? ‘Jesus, you’re my… friend, my king, my helper, my Lord, my healer…’ Help your child to wave their palm branch or any scarves/material you may have and shout these things out in a time of prayer and praise to him!
We’d love to hear from you!
Show us your palm branches. What did you play? Are you excited for Easter Day next week?
NEXT WEEK ON EASTER SUNDAY, WE WILL BE CELEBRATING JESUS’ LIFE ALL TOGETHER ON OUR LIVE STREAM!
Look out for family friendly activities in your email…
Send in your good news and photos to goodnews@vinelife.co.uk, or use the form right here!
