One way to help children feel welcome is to invite them to lead worship. Their leadership affirms that we value their presence and believe that God has equipped them with unique gifts and talents. As our children lead us, we embrace their awe and wonder, learn from their innocent and genuine faith, and thank God for their endless energy.

With palms, hosannas, and a parade, it’s easy to include children in Palm Sunday worship.

Children decorate for Palm Sunday.

Divide children into three groups:

Group I: Carry vases.
Group II: Carry palms.
Group III: Carry purple, scarlet or red fabric pieces.

1. Background music plays as Group I places vases on the altar or on plant stands in the altar area. Tape marks designate where vases are placed.
2. Group II puts palms in vases. (Assistance may be needed!)
3. Group III places fabric pieces around the vases or on the altar.

Add tambourines to All Glory, Laud, and Honor.

Children process playing tambourines:

Beat 1: hand strikes tambourine.
Beats 2-4: shake tambourine overhead.
Repeat.

This hymn has lots of verses! Children may take a few laps playing tambourines and then switch to palms for a few laps.

Add Poofs to the Palms.

Poofs are pieces of colorful, light-weight fabric that add color and a feeling of celebration to Palm Sunday. As older children lift the poofs overhead, the younger children, who are carrying palms, process under the poofs.

1. Cut chiffon into poofs measuring 54” x 36”—a perfect size for center aisles!
2. Place poofs on the floor, three feet apart, down the center aisle.
3. Assign two children to each poof—one on each side of the aisle.
4. Instruct children to hold the corners of the poof, one in each hand.
5. Practice gently lifting the poof off the floor and overhead. The poof will catch air and billow overhead. Hold on to the poof! After it floats back down to the floor, children will lift the poof again.
6. When the poof is up, children who are carrying palms walk under the poof.
7. Continue raising and lowering the poofs until children with palms have processed down the center aisle and around the sanctuary!

NOTE: Poofs are pieces of nylon tricot chiffon that doesn’t fray (you don’t have to hem it and it won’t unravel!). Request nylon tricot chiffon non-fray when purchasing. Available from Theatre House: https://theatrehouse.com/.

Include a children’s song for the congregation to sing.

We often have children sing a Hosanna song on Palm Sunday. Why not invite the congregation to sing along with the children on their song . . . claps, hand motions and all!

Palm Sunday is a day we gather to celebrate Jesus—the one who came to save and remains present with us. That’s something to celebrate every day! Hosanna!