The Prodigal Son for Kids: Bible Story Explained Simply
Ages 5+·6 min read·New Testament·By Faithful Kids Team·Updated April 16, 2026
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The Prodigal Son
Series: Teachings of Jesus (Episode 05 of 10) | Scripture: Matthew/Luke | Ages 5+
The Prodigal Son is a Bible story from Matthew/Luke in the New 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 The Prodigal Son for Kids?
THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS — Episode 5 "The Prodigal Son" Based on Luke 15:11-32
I told this story because the religious people were complaining that I spent too much time with sinners. They said, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them!" So I told them a story that silenced the room.
A man had two sons. The younger one walked up to his father and said, "Give me my share of the inheritance." Now you need to understand — that was like saying, "Dad, I wish you were dead. Give me the money now." Brutal. Disrespectful. Heartbreaking. But the father gave it to him.
The son took everything and ran to a distant country. Far from home. Far from his father. And he blew it ALL. Every coin. Wild parties. Reckless living. He burned through his entire fortune like it was nothing.
This story comes from Matthew/Luke and is part of the New Testament.
What Does the Story of The Prodigal Son Teach Children?
The story of The Prodigal Son teaches children important lessons about love, kindness, forgiveness, prayer, wisdom:
God welcomes us back no matter how far we have wandered
Forgiveness is always available when we turn back to God
Jealousy of God's grace toward others misses the point of His love
Key Bible Verse
"This son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found." — Luke 15:24
Parent's Guide: Why This Story Matters
The Prodigal Son teaches the hardest and most beautiful lesson in the Bible: that God's love has no conditions. For kids who mess up (which is all of them), this story says you can always come home. It also teaches kids who are the 'good child' to not be jealous of grace. This is a bedtime story, a post-tantrum story, a story for any day when your child needs to hear that they are loved no matter what.
Quiz: Test What Your Child Learned
After watching the video, see if your child can answer these questions:
What did the younger son's request for his inheritance really mean?
In that culture, asking for your inheritance while your father was still alive was deeply disrespectful — essentially saying "you're dead to me." Yet the father gave it to him anyway. That's how God respects our free will.
What happened after the son spent all his money?
When the money ran out, so did his friends. A famine struck, and the son was so desperate he took a job feeding pigs — the lowest, most shameful job imaginable for a Jewish person. He even wanted to eat the pig food.
What did the father do when he saw his son coming home from far away?
The father had been watching the road every day. When he saw his son — still far off — he RAN. In that culture, grown men running was considered undignified. But love doesn't care about dignity. The father sprinted, embraced him, and celebrated.
What did the father give his returning son?
The robe meant honor. The ring meant authority and belonging. The sandals meant he was a SON, not a servant (servants went barefoot). And the feast meant the whole community was invited to celebrate. Full restoration, no conditions.
Why was the older brother angry?
The older brother represents people who follow the rules but miss the heart of God. He was so focused on fairness that he couldn't celebrate grace. The father reminded him: "Everything I have is yours. But we HAD to celebrate — your brother was lost and now he's found."
Discussion Questions for Families
Use these questions at the dinner table or during bedtime:
What was your favorite part of the story of The Prodigal Son?
What do you think God was teaching us through this story?
How can we be more like The in our own lives?
If you were in this story, what would you have done differently?
What does this story teach us about trusting God?
More Episodes in the Teachings of Jesus Series
This story is episode 05 of 10 in the Teachings of Jesus series:
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 5+, with a quiz after each lesson. No ads, ever.
What is the story of The Prodigal Son about for kids?
The Prodigal Son is a story from Matthew/Luke. THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS — Episode 5 "The Prodigal Son" Based on Luke 15:11-32
What age is the story of The Prodigal Son appropriate for?
This retelling of The Prodigal Son is designed for children Ages 5+. The language is simple and age-appropriate, and the video is just a few minutes long, perfect for young attention spans.
Where is The Prodigal Son found in the Bible?
The Prodigal Son is found in Matthew/Luke in the New Testament. It is part of the Teachings of Jesus series on Faithful Kids.
Is there a video of The Prodigal Son for kids?
Yes. Faithful Kids has a short video retelling of The Prodigal Son designed for children, with narration, visuals, and a comprehension quiz. Watch it here.
How can I use The Prodigal Son 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 The Prodigal Son teach kids?
The story of The Prodigal Son teaches children about love, kindness, forgiveness, prayer, wisdom. God welcomes us back no matter how far we have wandered.
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