Palm Sunday is April 9: Ideas for Childrens' Ministry

1. In the Bible story of Jesus' entry the people called Him
"blessed." 
The children could brainstorm about words they can use
to tell Jesus how special He is. 
You could talk about praise words.
What do people say to thank or praise one another?
What do people say to you to praise you or thank you?
What might we say to God?
These praise words could be printed palm branches which they
make from green construction paper. 
Without doing a big procession, the children could line up on both sides of your
classroom. 
Have them use their imaginations to see Jesus and the donkey. 
Choose a child to lead the donkey who slowly walks down the center, holding a pretend rope over the shoulder. 
As the child leading the donkey walks along, the class will pretend to roll
out blankets and they will say the words which are on their palm
branches. 
These palm branches could then be displayed in the
classroom as a reminder to continually praise Jesus.

2. I have rented or borrowed a donkey before. 
You would not have to lead the procession. 
You can get palm branches for the  triumphant procession or you could have the children put down towels, or jackets down for Jesus on the donkey to pass over.


3.  have also seen the children go around the main sanctuary with the adults putting their jackets and articles of clothing down for Jesus and the donkey to pass over as they march down the aisles of the church while the children are participating in worshiping and
adoring Jesus as they place something for him to ride over and the adults and children are singing praise choruses or Easter hymns. 
This takes no more than five minutes and it is very dramatic and meaningful.

These ideas were found on a website, www.childrensministry.net which is no longer on line.