🐴 The Donkey That Carried The King Toddler Bible Lesson

🐴 THE DONKEY THAT CARRIED THE KING

A joyful Palm Sunday Bible story for toddlers, teaching about how Jesus rode into Jerusalem. This lesson includes a craft, snack, movement activity, poem, song, and more — perfect for Sunday School, homeschool, or preschool!

📘 BIBLE THEME:

Jesus is the King who came to save us

📖 BIBLE VERSE (TODDLER VERSION):

Hooray! Here comes Jesus riding on a donkey! (simplified)

Jesus Is My King! (simplified)

“Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” – Mark 11:9

🗣️ MAIN POINT TO REPEAT WITH KIDS:

“Jesus is my King!”

📖 TODDLER-FRIENDLY STORY:

Danny the Donkey was gentle and small.
He never expected anything big to happen to him.

But one day, two people came and untied him.
They said,
“The Lord needs this donkey.”

Danny blinked. “Me? The Lord needs me?”

They led him to a kind man with gentle eyes — Jesus!

Jesus sat on Danny’s back, and the little donkey stepped carefully into the city.

People cheered,
“Hosanna! Hosanna!”

They waved palm branches and laid down coats like a royal carpet.

Danny was nervous… but Jesus smiled.
And Danny knew:
“I may be small, but today I’m carrying the King!”

He carried Jesus all the way through the crowd — slow and steady — while the people shouted joyful praise.

And from that day on, Danny never forgot:
He helped carry the King of all Kings.

🎲 ACTIVITY: PALM PATH PARADE

Let kids take turns pretending to be donkeys by crawling or walking along a path made of paper “palms” or green scarves.

Others can wave real or paper palms and shout:
“Hosanna! Jesus is King!”

Switch roles so everyone gets a turn being Danny the Donkey!

🎨 CRAFT: DANNY THE PALM PARADE DONKEY

SUPPLIES NEEDED:

Brown or gray construction paper
Googly eyes, glue stick
Green paper or tissue paper for palm leaves
Crayon or marker
Label: “Jesus Is My King!"

DIRECTIONS:

Cut out or draw a simple donkey shape.
Add googly eyes and draw a big smile.
Glue the donkey onto a background with paper palm branches around him.
Add the Bible verse label at the top.
Optional: Add little footprints behind the donkey to show his special walk!

🎨 CRAFT: DANNY THE DONKEY PAPER PLATE PUPPET

SUPPLIES NEEDED:

Paper plate
Glue stick, Scissors
Gray, Pink, Black and White construction paper
Crayon or marker
Jumbo craft stick

DIRECTIONS:

Cut out 3 tiny rectangle strips (hair), large oval (nose), 2 long ears from gray paper.
Cut out 2 smaller ears from pink paper, 2 circles from white paper (eyes), 2 smaller circles from black paper (pupils).
Glue the ears and nose and eyes to paper plate.
Draw the nostrils and mouth on.
Optional: Add a jumbo craft stick for kids to hold to turn into puppet!

🎵 SONG TITLE: “HOSANNA PARADE”

(To the tune of “The Farmer in the Dell”)

Oh, Jesus is the King,
Oh, Jesus is the King,
Wave your palms and shout out loud—
Hosanna to the King!

Jesus rode a donkey,
He rode straight into town,
People sang and praised His name—
Let’s praise and jump around!

📝 POEM: DANNY’S DAY

Danny was a donkey,
Quiet, kind, and small,
But Jesus picked him for the job—
The greatest one of all!
He carried Jesus gently,
As people waved and sang,
And now we shout Hosanna too—
Our hearts with praises rang!

🎭 PRETEND PLAY GAME: DONKEY STABLE

Set up a simple “stable” area with blankets or chairs.
Let kids take turns pretending to be donkeys resting and then being chosen to carry Jesus.

Teacher calls out:
“Jesus needs you!”
Child trots proudly as everyone sings “Hosanna!”

🍎 SNACK IDEA: DONKEY CRACKER PLATES

Give each child:

1 graham cracker for the donkey body
Mini pretzels for legs and ears
Raisins for eyes and tail
Banana slice for a “saddle”

As they build and eat, say:
“Jesus is King, and we can carry His love!”

🙏 CLOSING PRAYER (REPEAT AFTER ME):

Dear God,
Thank You for Jesus.
Thank You for Palm Sunday.
Help me praise You
Like the people did long ago!
Amen.

📬 OPTIONAL TAKE-HOME NOTE FOR PARENTS:

Today your child learned the Palm Sunday story of Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey. We talked about how even a small donkey named Danny had an important job — he carried the King! Help your child remember that Jesus is our King, and we can praise Him every day!