Daniel in the Lions' Den: Preschool Sunday School Lesson (Ages 3-5)
Ages 3-5 · 30 minutes · free lesson plan · Daniel 6:1-23
A lively 30-minute preschool lesson on Daniel 6:1-23. Children act out the story, learn Psalm 56:3, play a freeze game, make a lion craft, and practice trusting God when afraid.
Memory verse
What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. (Psalm 56:3, KJV)
Lesson objectives
- Children will hear that Daniel prayed to God every day.
- Children will learn that God shut the lions' mouths and kept Daniel safe.
- Children will say, "I will trust in God," when they feel afraid.
The full lesson plan
Welcome and Wiggle Time (3 min)
Setup: Children sit in a circle.
Say: Good morning, friends! Today we hear about a man named Daniel who loved God.
Say: Let's stretch up tall, bend down low, and clap three times.
Do it together twice.
Say: Daniel prayed to God. Let's fold our hands and say, "Hello, God!"
Say: Now let's sit down and listen to the Bible story.
Bible Story: Daniel and the Lions (5 min)
Hold up the Bible. Tell the story with simple actions, in order.
King Darius made Daniel a very important helper, because Daniel had an excellent spirit. (Stand tall.)
Other men wanted to find something wrong with Daniel. They could not, but they made a law. For thirty days nobody could pray to anyone except the king. (Shake head "no.")
Daniel knew about the law. He went home and prayed to God three times a day, and gave thanks, just as before. (Fold hands, kneel.)
The men saw him praying and told the king. The king was upset, but the law could not be changed. Daniel was put in the lions' den. (Roar softly.)
The king said, "Your God will deliver you." A stone was put over the den.
In the morning the king hurried to the den. Daniel said, "My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths." (Cover mouth.)
Daniel was not hurt, because he believed in his God.
God Is Bigger Than Scary Things (4 min)
Say: Daniel kept praying, even when it was hard.
Say: God shut the lions' mouths, and Daniel was safe.
Ask: "Who kept Daniel safe?" (God!) Have children answer together.
Say: Sometimes we feel afraid, like in the dark or at a loud noise.
Say: We can talk to God, just like Daniel did. God hears us.
Background: The Bible tells us that Daniel trusted God. Later, Jesus taught us that God is our loving Father who cares for us.
Practice: Hug yourself and say, "God is with me!"
Say: Now let's learn a Bible verse about trusting God.
Memory Verse Motions (3 min)
Time: 3 minutes. Setup: none.
1. Say: "What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. Psalm 56:3." Children repeat each line after you.
2. Add motions. "Afraid": hands on cheeks. "Trust": hands over heart. "Thee": point up.
3. Say it slowly together two times.
4. Say it quickly, then in a whisper, then in a big voice.
5. Cheer: "God keeps us safe!"
Say: Great job! Now let's play a game.
Freeze Game: Daniel Prays (4 min)
Time: 4 minutes. Setup: Clear a safe space. Children stay in their own spots and move slowly. No running.
1. Say: "When I say 'Lions!' walk slowly like a lion and quietly roar."
2. Say: "When I say 'Daniel prays!' freeze, kneel, and fold your hands."
3. Alternate the calls five or six times.
4. Each time children kneel, say together, "Thank you, God!"
5. End with the whole group sitting and praying quietly.
Say: Daniel kept praying, and so can we. Next we will make a lion.
Craft: Friendly Lion Plate (5 min)
Time: 5 minutes. Setup: Teacher pre-cuts yellow and orange paper strips. Put out plates, crayons and glue sticks.
Safety: Teacher uses scissors only. Supervise glue sticks. Use no small parts such as wiggly eyes or buttons.
1. Give each child a paper plate for the lion's face.
2. Children glue strips around the edge for the mane.
3. Children draw eyes, a nose and a closed mouth with crayons.
4. Help write "God shut the lions' mouths" on the back.
5. Say: "Take your lion home and tell your family about Daniel."
Talk About It (3 min)
Ask these questions. Accept any answers.
1. Who did Daniel pray to? (God.)
2. Who kept Daniel safe in the lions' den? (God.)
3. What can we do when we feel afraid? (Pray and trust God.)
Say: Daniel believed in God, and God took care of him.
Say: God takes care of you too.
Closing Prayer and Goodbye (3 min)
Say: Let's thank God for keeping us safe.
Lead a short prayer. Children repeat each line:
"Dear God, thank you for Daniel. Thank you for keeping us safe. When we are afraid, we will trust you. In Jesus' name, amen."
Say the verse once more with motions.
Say: Goodbye, friends! Remember: God is with you.
Materials
- Bible
- Paper plates (one per child)
- Crayons
- Yellow and orange paper strips (pre-cut)
- Glue sticks
- Scissors (teacher use only)
Teacher notes
- Keep the story calm and simple. Some children may be scared of lions, so use a gentle roar and stress that God keeps Daniel safe.
- Craft safety: you cut the paper and supervise glue sticks. Use no small parts. Check for any child who puts things in their mouth.
- Adaptation: Pair children with buddies. Offer a picture of a lion to point to for children who speak little. Let sensitive children join the freeze game by sitting and doing hand motions only.
- The memory verse comes from Psalm 56:3 because it is short and quotable. It fits Daniel's trust in God. Teach it by repetition.
Send it home with parents
Today we heard how Daniel kept praying to God even when it was hard. God shut the lions' mouths and kept Daniel safe. Your child learned that we can trust God when we feel afraid.
- Who kept Daniel safe in the lions' den?
- What can we do when we feel afraid?
Show the lion plate and retell the story together. Act it out with stuffed animals. Then say a thank-you prayer as a family.
Pray with your child each night this week. When they feel afraid, say Psalm 56:3 together.
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