Daniel and the Lions’ Den is a favorite story for many kids. It highlights the importance of prayer, trusting in God’s protection, and standing up for what is right even when it’s hard. There are many engaging ways to bring this Bible story to life through fun crafts and activities, printable lesson plans, and kid-friendly YouTube videos. Perfect for Sunday school, homeschool, or faith-based schools, these creative resources help children understand the courage and faith Daniel showed as he chose to honor God no matter what.

The Story of Daniel in the Lions’ Den

The story of Daniel and the Lions’ Den is found in Daniel 6. Daniel was a trusted advisor to King Darius, and some of the other advisors were jealous. They tried to catch Daniel doing something wrong, but he consistently chose to do the right thing. They went to the King and had him decree that people could only pray to him for 30 days. If anyone disobeyed, they would be thrown into the lions’ den.

Daniel refused to listen to this decree, knowing what Scripture said about prayer. He continued to pray to God, and the advisors informed the king. 

Greatly saddened, the king had Daniel thrown into the lions’ den. But God sent an angel to protect Daniel and shut the lions' mouths. Daniel was safe all night, and the king was relieved to find Daniel unharmed the next morning. After this, the king changed the decree that people should only pray to God. 

Daniel and the Lions’ Den - Bible Lessons for Kids

Check out a simple way to teach the story of Daniel and the Lions’ Den. Our scripted lesson plans, discussion questions, and printable crafts are perfect for children aged 3 to 8.

(Click HERE for the preschool/kindergarten version)

Click here for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade version

Background Information About Daniel and the Lions’ Den

Daniel was a Jew living in Babylon because, when he was a boy, he was captured and taken from his family. He went to work in the palace and over time became a well-respected person of authority.  

Daniel worked in the palace for so long that he worked for four different kings: Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius, and Cyrus. Daniel would have been around 80 years old when he was thrown into the lions’ den.

3D LIONS’ MANE CRAFT FOR OLDER KIDS

Daniel and the Lions’ Den is a story that awes kids (and adults). The idea of someone surviving a night in a den of lions is truly a miracle. So, making a lion craft is a great way to remind children of how God rescued Daniel.

Cut strips of orange and yellow construction paper. Kids will use these to construct the lion’s mane. Using the template pieces provided in Daniel and the Lions’ Den for Older Kids, have kids glue the orange and yellow strips in a circle; then glue the lion’s head on top. The strips of construction paper will make the mane look 3D.

BUILD THE LIONS’ DEN SCENE CRAFT FOR PRESCHOOL

Younger kids will enjoy recreating a scene of the lions’ den. Use the printable pieces from Daniel in the Lions’ Den for Preschool, and have kids place their pieces on the scene. This is also a great opportunity for kids to practice their cutting and gluing skills. However, you will likely need to cut out the pieces for the youngest children ahead of time.

Other Activities to Teach About Daniel and the Lions’ Den

• Paper Plate Lion: Check out Kids Kubby for a super cute paper plate lion craft that uses strips of construction paper, some paint, and a paper plate.

• Lion Mask: Or follow these instructions from Handmade Charlotte for turning a paper plate lion into a mask.

• Pin the Teeth on the Lion: Quickly draw a lion on the whiteboard or on a large piece of paper. It doesn’t have to be an incredible piece of art. The kids won’t care what the lion looks like! Then cut out some triangles from white paper. These are the teeth. Give each child a “tooth” and have them take turns wearing a blindfold. Their task is to get all the teeth into the lion’s mouth.

• Praying Hands Craft: Prayer is a key part of this story because Daniel prayed, and God answered. Follow these simple instructions from First Miami Kids to create a praying hand craft.

YouTube Videos About Daniel and the Lions’ Den

Daniel and the Lions’ Den is a classic favorite story for kids of all ages, so there are many YouTube videos you could watch. But I always recommend previewing the videos first to make sure they are age-appropriate, accurate, and match the themes you are teaching. Here are some suggestions:

• God’s Story: Daniel and the Lions’ Den by Crossroad Kids

• Daniel in the Lions’ Den by Saddleback Kids

• Daniel and the Lions’ Den by VeggieTales

• Daniel and the Lions’ Den by The Beginners Bible is a 30-minute episode that tells more of Daniel’s story and the part about the lions’ den.

WANT TO CONTINUE LEARNING ABOUT OLD TESTAMENT PROPHETS, KINGS, AND QUEENS?

This lesson is part of an eight-week series on the Old Testament Prophets, Kings, and Queens. The other stories include Elijah and the Prophets of Baal, Elisha and the Widow’s Oil, Esther the Brave Queen, Naaman is Healed, Joshua and Jericho, David and Goliath, and Jonah.

These lessons are also included in the 52-week Bible curriculum for preschoolers and kindergarteners and for older children in first, second, and third grades.

Daniel and the Lions’ Den is a great story to teach about prayer, obedience, and God’s faithfulness. Take time to help kids engage in the story with fun activities and crafts. Which will you be trying? 

The dramatic story of Elijah and the Prophets of Baal is a powerful way to show kids that God is the One True God who listens and answers prayer. Found in 1 Kings 18, this exciting showdown between Elijah and the prophets of Baal captures children's attention with fire, bold faith, and God's miraculous power. Keep reading to find creative and kid-friendly ways to bring this story to life—including engaging videos, hands-on activities and crafts, and printable lesson plans that help make the message memorable and meaningful for young learners.

WHO WAS ELIJAH?

Elijah was a prophet of God. A prophet was a chosen messenger who would deliver God’s messages to the people of Israel. God often used prophets to guide, warn, or encourage His people, especially when they were not following His ways. Elijah’s job was to speak boldly for God, even when it was hard or dangerous.

THE STORY of elijah on mount carmel

King Ahab and Queen Jezebel did not love God. Queen Jezebel hated the prophets of God and had many of them killed. There were still some Israelites who loved and followed God, but many were turning to the false gods of Jezebel and Ahab.

Elijah confronted Ahab. Elijah told Ahab to gather all Israel at Mount Carmel, along with the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah. Elijah had everyone come to the mountain to see if God or Baal was the true God.

The prophets of Baal took a turn. They built an altar, prepared an offering, and called upon Baal, but nothing happened.

Elijah took a turn; he repaired the altar of God that had been torn down, prepared an offering, and dug a trench around the altar. Then he poured buckets of water onto the offering and the altar. The trench was full of water. After all that, he prayed, and God sent fire from heaven that burned up the offering, the wood, the stones, the water, and even the dust.

Elijah and the Prophets of Baal - Bible Lessons for Kids

Are you looking for a simple way to teach the story of Elijah and the Prophets of Baal? Our scripted lesson plans, discussion questions, and printable crafts are perfect for children aged 3 to 8.

(Click HERE for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade version)

Click here for the preschool/kindergarten version

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ABOUT ELIJAH AND THE FIRE FROM HEAVEN

Elijah’s prayer was only 32 words in Hebrew! God showed His power by sending fire from heaven. The fire was so powerful that it burned up the water and the altar. This story helps to show that we do not need to have many words when we pray; God is not impressed by a long prayer or one with fancy words. He wants to know our hearts. We serve a powerful God! 

BUILD AN ALTAR CRAFT FOR PRESCHOOL

Fire mesmerizes anyone who looks at it. Imagine what it would have been like to have the entire sacrifice, altar, and water consumed by a fire from heaven! This would have been a fear-inducing, spectacular sight.

To help kids visualize this craft, create a simple altar and fire craft using the printable altar from Elijah and the Prophets of Baal for Preschool and some colored tissue paper. Glue red, orange, and yellow tissue paper to the altar template. Be sure to use long strips of tissue paper to better depict the fire coming from heaven.

PAINTING FIRE FROM HEAVEN FOR OLDER KIDS

Older kids will enjoy the challenge of painting fire on and around the altar scene in Elijah and the Prophets of Baal for Older Kids. Have kids color the mountain scene and glue on Elijah and the altar.

Then have kids use paints to add fire. Be sure to give them creative license to paint the fire using their imagination. Who knows what they might come up with? 

OTHER ACTIVITIES TO TEACH ABOUT ELIJAH AND THE PROPHETS OF BAAL

• Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament: There are several versions of Rock, Paper, Scissors. Pick the version you like, and have everyone pair off. Have each pair play three times, and the person who wins twice will move on to the next round. Continue doing this until there is one winner. Be sure to help kids make the connection that the scenario on Mount Carmel was a challenge to see who would be the champion: God or Baal. 

• “The Lord—He is God.” Banners: At the end of the Mount Carmel showdown, the people saw God as the One True God. Make a banner saying “The Lord- He is God!” and have kids decorate it using paints, stickers, coloring materials, and anything else you can think of. This is a great way to celebrate God's greatness.

• Water Relay Race: Create a simple relay race where kids have to race to add water to the altar! Have kids run back and forth to fill the “altar” (a bucket or tub) with water. Be sure to talk about how only God would have been able to make water catch fire, like in the story. Or check out some other water relay race ideas from The Barefoot Mom.

• “Light the Altar” Flashlight Game: Using real fire when retelling this story might not be the safest option, but using flashlights can bring the story to life! Give each kid a flashlight (or take turns if you don’t have enough). Set a chair up as a pretend altar and turn out the lights. Read the story, and when it comes to the part where fire comes down from heaven, have kids turn on their flashlights and light up the chair. 

• Sing Songs to Worship God: There are some fabulous songs about the greatness of God. Take some time to sing them with your kids. Here are a few suggestions:

• Our God is an Awesome God by Phil Wickham

• Awesome God by Hillsong UNITED

• How Great is Our God by Yancy and Friends

• My God is so Big by LifeKids

YouTube videos about Elijah and the prophets of Baal

Below are some suggestions for YouTube videos about this story. Please preview any videos you show your kids to ensure they are age-appropriate and match what you want to teach.

• Crossroad Kids’ Club God’s Story: Elijah or Elijah and the Prophets of Baal: Storytellers

• Elijah on Mount Carmel: Slapstick Theatre by Saddleback Kids

• Elijah and the Contest on Mount Carmel by LifeKids

WANT TO CONTINUE LEARNING ABOUT OLD TESTAMENT PROPHETS, KINGS, AND QUEENS?

This lesson is part of an eight-week series on the Old Testament Prophets, Kings, and Queens. The other stories include Elisha and Jars of Oil, Naaman is Healed, Esther the Brave Queen, Daniel in the Lions’ Den, Joshua and Jericho, David and Goliath, and Jonah. 

These lessons are also included in the 52-week Bible curriculum for little kids in preschool/kindergarten and bigger kids in first, second, and third grades.

Kids will enjoy learning about Elijah and the Prophets of Baal with these engaging activities, crafts, and lesson ideas. They will also remember that the Lord is the One True God who hears and answers prayer.