Handprint Palm Sunday Craft for Kids

This handprint Palm Sunday craft for kids is a beautiful way to celebrate the day Jesus was celebrated as Lord and Messiah. This is a great Palm Sunday activity for kids of all ages. Toddlers, preschool kids, kindergarteners, and older kids can all engage in this handprint craft.

This is a beautiful, inexpensive, and accessible craft for parents, Sunday School teachers, private school teacherss, homeschool parents, or anyone wanting to teach the story of Palm Sunday.

Looking for more Easter season crafts where kids can use their own prints to celebrate what the Lord has done? Check out this Easter cross craft using children’s fingerprints.

Handprint Palm Sunday Craft for Kids

A few years ago, a friend shared a picture of her teenage kids doing a version of this Palm Sunday craft. I reached out and asked if she had seen the idea online or if it was her own. She had come up with the craft on her own, so I asked if I could steal it for a blog post. Indeed, I could.

Every year since, I remember the craft ON Palm Sunday, and I feel like it is too late to create a post about it. This year, the same thing happened. Instead of waiting, I decided to finally create the post because I absolutely love the idea.

It’s a clever idea because it is a play on the world palm. I love that we use our children’s palms to represent the palm branches that were spread on the road where our Savior rode the humble donkey into town.

This craft can be done by one child or multiple children working together. In a classroom, many hands can make this honoring Palm Sunday banner.

Materials Needed for this Handprint Palm Sunday Craft

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There are two different options available for completing this craft. One will involve a free flag printable where you would want to buy letter stickers or Sharpies to write the words “Hosanna.” You can also use a Cricut machine. The other option also involves a free Palm Sunday printable but with the letters to form the word “Hosanna” already printed on them.

Free Flag Printable (no letters) or
Free Flag Printable with the word “Hosanna”
Heavy White Stock Paper
Green Acrylic Craft Paint
Sponge Brush
Individual Hole Punch
Brown Twine
Black Letter Stickers (Optional)
Cricut (Optional) – Perhaps you have or have always wanted a Cricut. Now might be the time. This option involves cutting out or drawing your own letters on the flags. You could also cut the outline of the flags out.

Find all the Supplies Here

Hammermill White Cardstock, 110 Lb, 8.5 x 11 Colored Cardstock, 1 Pack (200 Sheets) – Thick Card Stock, Made in the USA, 168380R Jute Twine 328 Feet 2.5mm 4Ply Heavy Duty Natural Jute Rope String for Home Gardening Plant Picture Hanger Industrial Packing String for Gifts Presents Mason Jars Wedding Decorations Crafts Apple Barrel Gloss Finish Acrylic Paint, 2 oz., New Shamrock Artlicious Foam Brush Set – Pack of 25 Disposable, 1-inch Sponge Paint Brushes for Acrylic Painting, Staining, Varnishes & DIY Craft Projects – Art Supplies Officemate 1- Hole Punch, 5 Sheet Capacity, Silver (90091)8 Sheets Self Adhesive Vinyl Letters Numbers Kit, Mailbox Numbers Sticker for Mailbox, Signs, Window, Door, Cars, Trucks, Home, Business, Address Number (1 Inch, Black)Cricut Maker – Smart Cutting Machine – With 10X Cutting Force, Cuts 300+ Materials, Create 3D Art, Home Decor & More, Bluetooth Connectivity, Compatible with iOS, Android, Windows & Mac, Champagne

How to Make this Handprint Palm Sunday Craft for Kids

Print out your desired printable. You can choose the flag printable with the letters to form the word “Hosanna” already printed on them. Alternatively, you can print out seven of the blank flags so you can add letters with stickers or hand-write them on with Sharpie. I know my teenage girls love doing their own lettering. Hand-lettering “Hosanna” might really resonate with kids.
Using the sponge brush and green acryclic paint, paint your child’s hand or let them do it themselves. Make sure you have enough paint.
Next, kids will press their hand onto each flag so that you have 7 handprints on 7 different pieces of paper. Children will want to press hard and maybe even press on top of each finger to make sure they get a full print.
Allow to dry.
Put a hole punch in both top corners of the flag page.
String your twine through each page, spelling out Hosanna. If you put the twine down the hole first, the twine will end up on the back side of the page.
My papers did not move on the twine, but if you happen to have thinner twine and want to keep the papers in place, you can add a piece of tape to the back.
This Palm Sunday handprint banner can be hung in a home, church or classroom to celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus – the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

What is Palm Sunday?

Palm Sunday is a day Christians celebrate Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. While he was walking the earth, it was the only time He was truly celebrated as a King. Palm Sunday happened a week before his resurrection. On Palm Sunday, He was celebrated. Good Friday He was crucified. On Easter Sunday, He rose again to prove who He was and to fulfill all the prophecies about him.

On this day, Jesus was entering Jerusalem. He asked his disciples to go into town and find a specific colt. They did that, laid their cloaks on it, and our Lord climbed on top of it and rode to town.

As he road, both clothing and palm branches were laid on the road. This was a tradition reserved for a king.

As He entered the city, the people shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our Father David! Hosanna in the highest!”

The religious leaders asked Jesus to rebuke His disciples, and He responded, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” He was, thus, acknowledging His own position.

Where can the Story about Palm Sunday and the Triumphal Entry be Found?

In the Bible, this story can be found in John 12:12 – John 12:19. It can also be found in Mark 11:1-11, Matthew 21:1-11 and Luke 19:28-40.

What is exciting to me is this fulfilled the prophecy written 500 years before that says:

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!
    Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your king is coming to you;
    righteous and having salvation is he,
humble and mounted on a donkey,
    on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

This can be found in Zechariah 9.9.

What does Hosanna mean?

The dictionary describes Hosanna as “an expression of adoration, praise, or joy.”

For a more thorough explanation from a Christian perspective, please visit Christianity.com. Essentially, hosanna means, “Please save us.”

You see, the Jewish people were waiting for a promised Messiah, and Jesus was coming to save man. What was missed by many (still is) is that the Jews were waiting for a Messiah to free them from an oppressive government. They were still wanting an earthly king.

When Jesus was crucified, it wasn’t what many wanted or expected. Jesus’ purpose was so much greater though.

Jesus did come to save. He came to die on the cross to save us from our sins. Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice so that sinful man could have a direct relationship with our Holy God. He brought life and light to all if they would only accept His free gift of forgiveness through faith in Him alone.

It is not by works that we get reunited with God. Rather, it is a belief that Jesus did all that work for us on the cross, and then the real good news is that He rose again to not only prove His deity but also show that He is alive again.

What can Kids do on Palm Sunday?

I grew up in a church that loved to celebrate Palm Sunday with the kids. The church I attend now also has brought the children in on this day to celebrate.

Traditionally, children come into the service waving palm branches and shouting “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.”

Further, children can sing songs on Palm Sunday. Here’s a great one on YouTube. A simple search on Google or YouTube will provide many options.

Palm Sunday crafts, like the one presented today, are another great option to celebrate.

When I lived in Godalming England, the church I was working at would have a parade with a donkey leading the praise procession.

Palm Sunday is such a joyous time to celebrate our King that I encourage you to find some way to honor our King on that Day.