General Conference is almost here!
Twice a year we look forward as Latter-Day Saints to listening to the voice of our beloved Prophet and apostles. As a family, we have adopted and created some of our own various traditions for these joyous occasions. Each year I find a new challenge to overcome before conference begins, this year's challenge was..."how do I get my toddlers to sit and listen to all four sessions of conference"?
Well, lets just say I have been doing my research! And finally I have found a few activities for them to do to help them engage in General Conference rather than just play and make noise the whole time. Its hard to get things out of conference with little ones around as it is, but why not take on the challenge to make it fun and enjoyable for both the parents and the kiddos?
I have a few suggestions that might help your General Conference weekends run more smoothly this time around.
1. One idea I found and loved was on Sugar Doodle Blog. She has a great packet of fun activities for nursery aged children to help them engage more in General Conference. You can look through this packet and more by clicking HERE.
2. I also liked the idea of putting together a file folder where the kids can have fun placing the speaker on their chair as they come up to the pulpit to give their talks. It also helps them to learn the faces of the apostles and what their names are.
3. This idea was genius. This lady had laid out a desk for each child with snacks, activities, pictures and writing utensils on top. This way they have their own space, wont have to get up for snacks and have plenty of options to keep them occupied and engaged while watching conference. I think I will do something like this with diaper boxes and cut out a hole for their feet to go through. We will save that for another blog post ...coming soon: The Diaper Box Desk :).
4. Lacing Cards: She has some really cute cartoon pictures of temples and other gospel related things that she has turned into lacing cards. I haven't tried them yet, but I'm sure my toddler will have fun with them! I will let you know in my *Conference Follow-Up Blog Post.
5. Fruit Loop Necklaces: Read below for instructions.
6. General Conference Wall of Fame: Post a few photos of gospel topics on the wall to have your kiddos point to when one of the speakers talks about a specific picture or event. For example: a speaker may say "temples" and the child could then find a picture of a temple and point to it. Cute idea to keep them engaged in conference and learning what each picture represents as well.
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One of My Favorite Family Traditions:
Every year on General Conference Sunday, I make "General Conference Pastries" for us enjoy as a family for breakfast. They are very delicious, but you don't even want to know what the calorie count is on those bad boys! haha This is why I only make them semi-annually:). If you would like to add this tradition to your General Conference idea list...here is the quick and easy recipe:
General Conference Pastries:
*makes one cookie sheet
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4 packages Pillsbury Crescent Rolls (original)
2 (8oz) packages Philadelphia Cream Cheese
1 egg yolk
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
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1 egg white
1 teaspoon water
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1 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon water
Lay flat two packages of crescent rolls on cookie sheet. Mix cream cheese, egg yolk, sugar and vanilla together. Spread over rolls on cookie sheet. Lay flat the other two packages of crescent rolls on top of the cream cheese mixture (you now have three layers - rolls, cream cheese mixture, rolls again).
Mix egg white and water together (not fluffy), brush on top of rolls. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 min.
Mix powdered sugar and water into a frosting/glaze and drizzle over top of baked pastry.
Slice into individual servings and bon appetite!
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