I remember as a child, dreading the semi-annual General Conference sessions! Sure, we didn’t have to attend church (in Utah we receive it via satellite), so we didn’t have to dress up, but sitting there for 8 hours (total) hearing “blah, blah, gospel…blah blah, forgiveness…blah, blah…” wasn’t necessarily enjoyable to me.
Now that I’m older and expected to be RESPONSIBLE for my life and the lives of my children, and I realize that these are modern day prophets giving us direction, I CRAVE their messages. Especially, in light of recent events, I’m hoping for some words of peace and comfort and new perspective on our Heavenly Father’s Plan of Salvation.
However, in order to do that, it’s necessary to keep the kids (the “me in younger years”) occupied and listening as well. I’ve searched throughout the web for different activities available to your young children to help them get something out of it as well.
* LDS.org has coloring pages and activities ready for print.
Lady Create-A-Lot has a lot of great ideas, including this “What’s Your Guess” chart during the church’s statistical report. I’ll admit…even I usually zone out during this part on Sunday morning!
Brandy’s Crafts puts together LDS Conference Kits for kids.
* Amazing age appropriate free printable conference packets for junior/senior primary from Food Storage and Beyond: Click HERE
Brown Paper Packages uses tin buckets for each “keyword”. Every time a keyword is spoken during the talks, the kids get a treat out of that bucket. (Personally, I’d have the keyword “Christ” or “Savior” filled with Reese’s PB cups!)
Blue Skies Ahead created “waste” baskets for each of her kids with activities to keep them busy and the slogan “Don’t let one minute of Conference go to ‘waste’”.
Being LDS has posted so many cute ideas – including reverence books for toddlers, and Conference Jenga for Primary aged kids, as well as coloring pages and information about the apostles.
The Redheaded Hostess has a list of incredible ideas for your entire Conference experience – including the traditional breakfast, and turning your living room into a “Conference Tent” as they did in King Mosiah’s time.
And of course, Sugardoodle.net is a huge source of downloads, printables, and coloring pages!
Some other tips to help create reverence during General Conference include allowing the kids to “get their wiggles out” in between the sessions.
Let them run around outside, go jump on the trampoline, or play basketball (our family’s tradition during Saturday’s conference sessions).
Delicious food is a must but prepare food beforehand so you’re not in the kitchen trying to listen. Snacks are vital as well, but be careful on the sugar content, or you’ll have some hyper kids come Session #4!
Be prepared beforehand with your packets, print-offs, or games for your kids. But I wouldn’t give everything to them all at once. Do one activity per session. Or if you are using printables, give them to your kids one at a time. When they finish with one, give them another, to avoid sensory overload! It happens to me as well!
Oh, how I love this man! I’m so anxious to hear what he has to say – how many more temples will be constructed and where (come on, Puerto Rico!!!!) – how can I be a better mother, wife, and neighbor – where can I turn for peace in times of grief, etc…
We Thank Thee O God For A Prophet!
What are some of YOUR traditions when it comes to listening to General Conference?
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Great ideas! For some reason, conference means cinnamon rolls! Not sure why but I usually make them during that weekend. How can we forget Ladies night on Saturday? This year I won’t have all my daughters participating.
I am looking forward to Conference. I need some comfort.
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Camille Reply:
March 31st, 2012 at 9:12 pm
oh of course the cinnamon rolls! It wouldn’t be conference morning without them!
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There are so many great ideas! I wish I knew all these tricks when my kids were little!
One thing we have always done is have Conference playing all throughout the house~ hopefully they’ll hear something during all their comings and goings.
We also gather everyone to listen when President Monson speaks.
My adult self always looks forward to Conference too!
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Camille Reply:
March 31st, 2012 at 9:14 pm
I remember we did the same growing up – had it on all radios and TV’s and did the same to all the boom boxes (yes, the boom boxes) in the electronics section of ShopKo or Kmart or whichever store we’d visit during Saturday’s sessions.
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One thing that I have discovered in my ‘mature years’ is how much more I hear and retain by taking notes! I know this was about things to do to keep kids in control…but if the kids are a little older, not too bad of an idea. The redheaded hostess has some good ‘note taking sheets’ on her blog.
As far as ideas for the kids… I’m going to lock mine in their room so I can listen!!
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Camille Reply:
March 31st, 2012 at 9:14 pm
I’m a notetaker as well..and thank goodness for the internet and DVR to be able to listen to the talks again…after the kids are asleep!
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