LDS General Conference: How to keep kids entertained, engaged while watching
The Sunday morning session of General Conference takes place April 5, 2015, at the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Conference Center in Salt Lake City.?
Do you dread General Conference because your kids can’t sit still while watching?
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint’s General Conference offers members of the church around the world an opportunity to hear from apostles and leaders either at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, in church buildings or at home with viewing options on TV and online.
However, oftentimes families struggle to keep their children engaged during the two-day event, which includes four two-hour general sessions.
Here are three ways you can make sure your kids are paying attention during conference:
1. Make them a general conference notebook
Giving kids a notebook they can take their own notes or color in can help them get excited about listening to the speakers. LDS.org/general-conference/children has a notebook you can download and print. It includes ideas to help children listen to and learn from conference, as well as note sections for each LDS apostle. There is also a color-by-number book available to download.
2. General Conference bingo
A quick Google or Pinterest search for “General Conference bingo” pulls up many options for general conference bingo cards that can be downloaded and printed for free. LDS.org/general-conference/children has a “Conference Squares” printout that works for bingo, and LDS.org also has General Conference bingo cards that have words or references children are to listen for. Use candy, small snacks or toys for the markers.
3. Play a listening game
Similar to bingo, have children listen for specific words. Give them small treats or snacks when they hear the words, or make it even more fun (and long lasting) by setting up a general conference “store.”
Choose words, names or phrases such as “prayer,” “faith,” “family” and “temples,” and give kids a notebook or piece of paper to write the words down on. Each time your children hears a word or phrase, have them tally it. Then, at the end of the session or during a break, let them choose from items such as toys or snacks that are “priced” and have them “pay” with the number of words they heard.
Make it more difficult and age-appropriate for older children by having them write down quotes or notes that meant something to them.
What activities does your family do to make sure kids sit still and listen to general conference but still have fun? Let us know in the comments below!
