Daniel in the Lions Den: Bible Story for Kids

Series: Exile and Faith (Episode 06 of 10) | Scripture: Daniel/Jonah/Isaiah | Ages 6+

Daniel in the Lions Den is a Bible story from Daniel/Jonah/Isaiah in the Old Testament. This retelling is designed for kids ages 5 and up, using simple language they can understand and lessons they will remember.

What Is the Story of Daniel in the Lions Den for Kids?

EXILE & FAITH — EPISODE 6: DANIEL IN THE LIONS' DEN Based on Daniel 6 | Narrated by Jesus

Okay — you know Daniel by now. He survived Babylon. He interpreted dreams. He read writing off a wall. But what I'm about to tell you might be the most intense night of his entire life. And by this point, Daniel isn't young anymore. He's an old man. But he's still got the same fire he had as a teenager.

Here's the situation. Babylon fell, remember? The Persians are running things now, and the new king — Darius — actually LIKES Daniel. In fact, Daniel is so good at his job that Darius plans to put him in charge of the entire kingdom. Second only to the king himself.

The other officials are furious. They start digging into Daniel's record, looking for anything — a scandal, a mistake, a bad decision. But they find NOTHING. Daniel is completely clean. So they come up with a sneaky plan. They convince King Darius to sign a law that says for thirty days, no one can pray to ANY god or any person except the king. Anyone who breaks it gets thrown into a den of hungry lions.

This story comes from Daniel/Jonah/Isaiah and is part of the Old Testament.

What Does the Story of Daniel in the Lions Den Teach Children?

The story of Daniel in the Lions Den teaches children important lessons about courage, faith under pressure, obedience, hope:

• Standing up for your faith might feel scary, but God protects those who trust Him
• Prayer is powerful and worth doing even when others disagree
• God is with you in the hardest moments of your life

Key Bible Verse

"My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions." — Daniel 6:22

Pair this with our free fiery furnace coloring page — one sheet, ready for the kitchen table or the classroom.

Parent's Guide: Why This Story Matters

Daniel in the Lions' Den is about courage under pressure. Your child will inevitably face moments where doing the right thing is hard because everyone else is doing something different. Daniel chose to pray when it was literally illegal. This story gives kids a framework for standing firm. When your child tells you about pressure at school or among friends, you can ask: what would Daniel do?

Quiz: Test What Your Child Learned

After watching the video, see if your child can answer these questions:

Why were the other officials jealous of Daniel?

Daniel was so trustworthy and excellent at his job that King Darius planned to set him over the whole kingdom — and the other officials couldn't stand it.

What did Daniel do when he heard about the new law banning prayer?

Daniel didn't hide, compromise, or run. He went home, opened his windows toward Jerusalem, and prayed on his knees three times a day — exactly as he always had.

How did God protect Daniel in the lions' den?

Daniel told King Darius, "My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths." Daniel wasn't hurt at all — not a single scratch.

Discussion Questions for Families

Use these questions at the dinner table or during bedtime:

1. What was your favorite part of the story of Daniel in the Lions Den?
2. What do you think God was teaching us through this story?
3. How can we be more like Daniel in our own lives?
4. If you were in this story, what would you have done differently?
5. What does this story teach us about trusting God?

More Episodes in the Exile and Faith Series

This story is episode 06 of 10 in the Exile and Faith series:

• Judah Falls to Babylon for Kids
• Daniels Resolve for Kids
• Nebuchadnezzars Dream for Kids
• The Fiery Furnace for Kids
• The Writing on the Wall for Kids
• Valley of Dry Bones for Kids
• Jonah Running from God for Kids
• Jonah the Lesson for Kids
• Isaiahs Promise for Kids

300+ Bible Stories for Kids on Faithful Kids

Faithful Kids has 300+ Bible story videos covering the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Every story is a short video lesson, designed for kids Ages 6+, with a quiz after each lesson. No ads, ever.

Start your free trial

There is a free Daniel in the lions' den coloring page on our site too, if they would rather draw the story than only hear it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the story of Daniel in the Lions Den about for kids?

Daniel in the Lions Den is a story from Daniel/Jonah/Isaiah. EXILE & FAITH — EPISODE 6: DANIEL IN THE LIONS' DEN Based on Daniel 6 | Narrated by Jesus

What age is the story of Daniel in the Lions Den appropriate for?

This retelling of Daniel in the Lions Den is designed for children Ages 6+. The language is simple and age-appropriate, and the video is just a few minutes long, perfect for young attention spans.

Where is Daniel in the Lions Den found in the Bible?

Daniel in the Lions Den is found in Daniel/Jonah/Isaiah in the Old Testament. It is part of the Exile and Faith series on Faithful Kids.

Is there a video of Daniel in the Lions Den for kids?

Yes. Faithful Kids has a short video retelling of Daniel in the Lions Den designed for children, with narration, visuals, and a comprehension quiz. Watch it here.

How can I use Daniel in the Lions Den for Sunday School or homeschool?

Play the short Faithful Kids video as an introduction, then use the discussion questions above for group conversation. The built-in quiz checks comprehension. Many Sunday school teachers and homeschool parents use Faithful Kids as weekly curriculum.

What does Daniel in the Lions Den teach kids?

The story of Daniel in the Lions Den teaches children about courage, faith under pressure, obedience, hope. Standing up for your faith might feel scary, but God protects those who trust Him.