So, we have been invited to participate in the LDS Blog Train: General Conference Version! I am excited, and more than a little intimidated, since I am NOT a digital designer. However, I put on my thinking cap to come up with some simple activities that I thought would be enjoyable for not only AD girls, but little ones, as well. Here is what I came up with-
General Conference Pumpkins and Pompoms
I love fall, harvest and Halloween! You can use any of those themes to keep your little conference attendees paying attention.
One great craft item that often gets overlooked is the humble pompom.
You can buy a bag of them for just a couple of dollars. And then, what, you ask? Well, I will tell you!
Idea #1: Use THIS printable sheet of visuals and have the listeners cover each picture as they hear the topic mentioned. You can use it as a bingo card, or have them cover the whole thing.
Idea #2: Cut up the printable sheet of visuals and pick a few to tape onto small jars or buckets. Whenever that topic is spoken of, the listeners can place a pompom into the container. Or, go nuts, and use all the pictures for 15 different containers!
Idea #3: Assign each listener a key word, like "Jesus" or "faith". Also, assign them a specific color of pompom. When they hear their key word, they can put a pompom into their jar. Having their own color just helps keep the pom stashes more equitable-intermixing of pom poms has been known to cause meltdowns.
You can decide how to "reward" your listeners. They may enjoy just filling up their cards or jars. You might want to hand out a treat when they have reached a minimum level. Hopefully, this activity will be flexible enough for both kids and moms to enjoy!
Now, on to the pumpkins!
Like I said, I am not a digital scrapbook designer, but I know how to shop on etsy! And I used a kit I purchased on there to make a jack-o-lantern kit for conference. **I did buy this with a commercial license included for personal use and also to make my own products, but just to be safe, please don't resell any part of this printable. Thanks!**
Build-a-jack pdf
This jack-o-lantern kit comes with pumpkins, noses, eyes, mouths, and also, some stems. You can cut out the different parts of the jack-o-lantern and put them in different containers labeled with key words. During each talk or session of conference, have your listeners build their jack-o-lantern by listening for the key words. Or give them a new piece for every 5 minutes they sit still. Or give them a new piece for every 10 minutes they go without asking you for a drink. Get out the kitchen timer! Or you could even do this on the fly-for instance, telling your kids they can get a nose, if they hear President Uchtdorf say the word airplane or flying!
Don't want to cut anything out? Then next time you are anywhere near walmart, hobby-lobby, target, or any other store that sells halloween supplies, look for a kit that has pumpkins already cut out. They are everywhere!
I found mine at hobby-lobby, and grabbed a couple of sheets of adhesive-backed foam that I can have the kids cut up into jack-o-lantern features of their own design. If you REALLY don't want to cut anything out, have them draw the pumpkin faces on with a water-based marker. Easy-peasy.
The only other thing you really need is some candy. Well, in my house, we do. I need rewards to sit still for that long. :) Oh, and comfy pjs! Hope you enjoy conference this weekend!
Go HERE for the build-a-jack PDF.
Go HERE for the conference bingo sheet.
Your next stop will be countdown to conference. If you get lost along the way, go to the LDS Blog Train.
