5 easy Prodigal Son activities for kids (Sunday school or home)
The Prodigal Son is one of the best Bible stories for teaching children about forgiveness. It has a clear beginning, a big mistake, a journey home and a happy ending. But with young kids, the story sticks best when they do something with it.
These five Prodigal Son activities for kids work for ages 5 to 8, at home or in a small Sunday school group. Most need only paper, crayons and ten minutes.
Before you start: tell the story simply
Read or tell the story first. Keep it to the main moments: the son asks for his money, leaves, spends it all, feels hungry and sorry, walks home, and the father runs to hug him. If you'd like an illustrated version made for this age, The Boy Who Came Home tells it in 13 pages.
1. Color the story in order
Give each child a coloring page from a different part of the story. When everyone finishes, line the pages up in order on the table or the wall and have the children retell the story using the pictures.
Why it works: putting events in order helps young children understand cause and effect: he left, he lost everything, he came back, he was welcomed.
The Boy Who Came Home Coloring Book has 8 printable pages that follow the story in order.
See the coloring book2. The "long road home" walk
Make a "road" with tape or a line of paper across the room. Put a picture of the father's house at one end. Children walk the road slowly while you ask: "How do you think he felt on this road? What was he planning to say?"
When they reach the end, the teacher or parent opens their arms for a hug, or a high five.
Why it works: children feel the story with their bodies. The hug at the end becomes the moment they remember.
3. Sorry and forgiven cards
Fold a paper in half. On the outside, children draw a time someone was sad or hurt. On the inside, they draw what forgiveness looks like: a hug, a shared toy, a smile.
Why it works: it moves the story from "a long time ago" to their own lives, without asking them to confess anything in front of others.
4. The welcome-home party
The father threw a party. Do a tiny one: a snack, a song, a "welcome home" banner the children decorate together. Ask: "Why did the father celebrate instead of being angry?"
Why it works: joy is part of the story. Children should hear that God is happy when we come back, not just willing.
5. Questions to end with
Pick one or two, not all five:
- What happened when the son ran out of money?
- How do you think he felt on the road home?
- What did the father do when he saw him?
- Has anyone ever said sorry to you? How did it feel?
- What would you want to say if you made a mistake?
We wrote more about these in 5 questions to ask your child about the Prodigal Son.
Using these in a class?
Our storybook and coloring book are licensed for personal and family use. If you'd like to use them with a Sunday school class or church group, send us a message on Etsy first and we'll tell you what we can offer.
The Boy Who Came Home is a 13-page illustrated retelling for ages 5 to 8.