The Prodigal Son for Kids: The Bible Story Explained Simply

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.

Watch the Full Story of The Prodigal Son

Watch The Prodigal Son in our 60-second video lesson. Your child can follow along and take a quiz after to check what they learned.

Watch "The Prodigal Son" on Faithful Kids

Part of our Teachings of Jesus series, 10 episodes covering love, kindness, forgiveness, prayer, wisdom.

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:

1. What was your favorite part of the story of The Prodigal Son?
2. What do you think God was teaching us through this story?
3. How can we be more like The 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 Teachings of Jesus Series

This story is episode 05 of 10 in the Teachings of Jesus series:

• The Sermon on the Mount for Kids
• The Beatitudes for Kids
• The Lords Prayer for Kids
• The Good Samaritan for Kids
• The Sower and the Seeds for Kids
• The Mustard Seed for Kids
• The Lost Sheep for Kids
• The Wise and Foolish Builders for Kids
• The Unforgiving Servant for Kids

400+ Bible Stories for Kids on Faithful Kids

Faithful Kids has 400+ Bible story videos covering the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Every story is 60 seconds, designed for kids Ages 5+, with a quiz after each lesson. No ads, ever.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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 60 seconds 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 60-second 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 60-second 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.