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This next Sunday is Palm Sunday, and usually I wouldn’t blog about ideas to teach this at home. Usually I’d just leave this day up to the Sunday School teachers…but as crazy times would have it, this year we are the Sunday School teachers. As Holy Week and Easter are looking a little different this year, let’s keep our focus on the reason we celebrate…the reason we usually gather together…the reason we have hope. Here is how we are celebrating Palm Sunday at home.
Read
Read the story of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem in Mark 11:1-10 or in your favorite Storybook Bible. We like to use The Beginner’s Bible/La Biblia Para Principantes. You may also want to read Daniel and the Donkey Factor by Kevin Horath, a story about the donkey that carried Jesus, and explains the symbolism of Jesus riding a donkey into Jerusalem. Spanish Edition: Daniel y el Factor Burrito translated by Natalia Sepúlveda.
DIY Palm Leaf
If you live in Florida or Southern California, you can probably just go for a nature walk and snag a palm tree. Up here in the North, you may have to make your own.
What you need:
- Green Construction paper
- Scissors
What you do:
- Fold paper length wise
- Cutting through both edges, cut a handle at the bottom of the paper.
- Cut strips down the edge of the paper being careful to not cut all the way through. *(See example above).
- Unfold and enjoy your ‘palm leaf.’
*If your child is ready to practice scissor skills, allow them to cut the strips. You may draw guide lines to help them cut. Or you can simply let them cut the edges as they desire. It will not look as pictured, but will be unique, fun, and work those fine-motor skills.
Praise Party
This story is about the people Praising Jesus as the Messiah as he entered Jerusalem. We can praise Jesus too. Taking the Palm branches we made, we can wave them as we dance and sing to some songs that sing about the triumphal entry. If you aren’t able to make the Palm branches for any reason, you could also let your child wave a bandana or t-shirt. The people also ‘spread their cloaks on the road’ (Mark 11:8, NIV).
Here are some of our favorite songs that tell the story of Jesus entering Jerusalem as King:
Hosanna Rock-Español by Yancy
Hosanna Rock-English by Yancy
Shout Hosanna- by The Donut Man
If you want to keep the Praise Party going, you may want to check out our Favorite Easter Songs for Kids and our Favorite Spanish Easter Songs for Kids.
Baby Devotions 
These are great ideas! What toddler age do you suggest starting this at?
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Thanks so much. I think it can be adapted to a variety of ages. Probably for under 2.5 years you can just make the leaf and have a praise party. Anyone can enjoy a praise party. We have started some supervised scissors skill work with my 2.5 year old and she loves it. So I’ll just be cutting a handle for her leaf and will let her cut the edge. Same for my 3 year old. I would say closer to 4-5 littles may be ready to follow guide lines. But every child is different. My 2.5 has picked up scissor skills very quickly, and it’s a skill my 3 year old has struggled with, so I think every little is different. But 2.5 could be a good time to give it a try. And if it works, great. If not, it’s ok for the caregiver to finish up making the leaf and just continue with a praise party.
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