Gearing up for General Conference

 If you're anything like Karena and I, then you spend a good amount of your day trying to come up with different ways to keep your kids entertained.  Whether your child is learning to crawl or learning to drive, we've found that most kids need things to keep them amused and focused.  This especially holds true for General Conference.

So, in order to help eliminate some of the stress and frustration that can come with trying to keep your kids awake, the two of us have come up with some quick and easy ways to help you and your kids enjoy the purpose of General Conference.  These ideas can work with all ages.
{We'd also love to hear some of the things that have worked for your family.  Email us your ideas so we can share them.}

Nursery Age

Prophet Memory Game
This is a great way for your kids to remain entertained while also learning who the prophets are.  You can find two different ways to make this game for your kids Here and Here. 

Priesthood Leaders; "Don't Eat Me"

This is based off the ever popular game "Don't Eat Pete".  For this game you will need some easy to eat candy, or you could also use chocolate chips, marshmallows, fruit snacks, goldfish crackers, etc.  Using the provided image below, place a piece of candy on each individual person.  Then, send the person who is "it" out of the room while the remaining people choose a priesthood leader who's candy piece shouldn't be eaten.  Once a leader is picked, bring the person who is "it" back into the room and let them start eating the candy.  If they start to eat the candy off of the leader that was picked everyone yells out "Don't eat me!" or "Don't eat Jeffery R. Holland!" (for older kids).  Now it's someone else's turn to be "it".

Coloring
For your own free LDS Coloring Pages.

Primary Age

Candy Jar
This works well for all ages, but especially for kids who have a hard time sitting still and focusing for awhile on a talk that is being given.  Fill up a jar full of candy.  Make sure you have a variety to choose from.  Instruct your kids that they can have a piece of candy when they hear key words such as: Temples, Jesus Christ, Missionary Work, Scriptures, etc.  You can help remind your kids what words they should be listening for by hanging up different pictures of the words, or by having several jars of candy with the pictures or words attached to the jars.  Here are some that Karena made for your printing pleasure.

lds. org
The church has a great page on their website with various activities that are geared to help children during general conference.

Youth

Word search
You can find some great word search puzzles here, here, and here)

General Conference Questionnaire
This is a great way to help your youth and senior primary children to get into the habit of listening to all sessions of General Conference.  Just make sure you have some type of incentive for them if they fill this out completely and accurately.  That means you will probably need to fill one out too!

For all Ages

Conference Packets
Click here to access some great links

Conference Note Books

This would make a great FHE activity prior to General Conference.  Buy a composition book for everyone in the family and have them pick out their favorite scrapbook paper.  Modge Podge the paper onto the composition books. You can stop there or have your kids add some stickers, ribbon, or drawings to the outside.
During conference encourage your kids to take notes, draw pictures of the speakers topics, or they can simply write down their thoughts and feelings.

Snacks and Treats
Don't forget to keep everyone awake and alert with some yummy goodies.  It easier to stay focused on a full tummy.

From the Church

In the October 2009 Ensign there was an awesome article that was very specific to this topic.  I highly recommend reading this while you prepare for conference weekend.  LDS.org - Ensign Article - Preparing Our Children for General Conference