Seasonal Activities for Primary Singing Time There are countless seasonal ideas that can be found on blogs, Pinterest, and Sugardoodle. The following is a list of my favorite activities. I have tried all of them & had great success! Winter Snowball Fight - Make "snowballs" that say either "hit" or "miss" on them...this can be done easily using white card stock and a circle punch (mine are about the size of a quarter). Place the "snowballs" in a sack. Divide the room into two teams. Take turns having a child from each team "throw a snowball". If a "hit" is drawn, the team gets a point and the child gets to pick the song. If a "miss" is drawn, no points are given and the chorister picks the song.

*A fun twist is to play hot potato with a Styrofoam ball to determine who gets to come up.

Once There Was a “Giant” Snowman - This idea is courtesy of www.iheartprimarymusic.blogspot.com. Make a LARGE snowman out of quilt

batting and use miscellaneous fabric for the accessories. Attach the accessories with tacky glue. The children will love it when you pull this guy out…even those older boys! Raise him from the ground up for the beginning of the song and then slowly lower him to ground as you sing the end. The second time you sing it, let a child come hold him. You may need to utilize a chair to make him really tall.

Super Bowl Sunday This game is super simple and can be used to review any songs you'd like. It's always a hit...especially with Senior Primary. Simply print off several clip art football images and cut them into small cards. Then write numbers on the back of the cards to represent points scored during a football game: 1- Extra Point 2- 2 point Conversion 3- Field Goal 6- Touch Down Place the cards in a sack to draw from (you don't want the kids to be able to see the points on the back). Divide the children into two teams. Take turns having a child from the each team draw a football. Whatever card they choose is how many points their team scored. Sing the song you want to practice following each "play".

Valentine’s Hot Heart - Play "hot potato" with a heart to determine who comes up. I found mine in the Target dollar section. The Loving Tree - Make conversation heart ornaments out of construction paper and hang them on a tree (I use a small tree I have for Christmas). Each conversation heart has a key word for a song on it. Have the child choose a heart and guess which song it is. Possible saying/song combinations are: 4 Ever: Families Can Be Together Forever p. 188 U-R-A Star: I Am Like a Star p. 163 SHHHHH: The Chapel Doors p. 156 Be True: Stand for the Right p. 159 Shine: Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam p. 60 Marry Me: I Love to See the Temple p. 95 Teach Me: Teach Me to Walk in the Light p. 177 I Love You: Love One Another p. 136, Jesus Said Love Everyone p. 61 I Hope: I Hope They Call Me on a Mission p. 169 #1: Latter-day Prophets p. 134 I Will Follow: I Will Follow God's Plan p. 164 Be Wise: The Wise Man and the Foolish Man p. 281 Be Safe: Any song about the Holy Ghost Call Me: Any song about prayer Special: I Am a Child of God p. 2 I'll Try: I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus p. 78 Be Happy: Choose the Right Way p. 160, If You're Happy p. 266 Be Kind: Kindness Begins with Me p. 145 Believe: The Church of Jesus Christ p. 77, I Know My Father Lives p. 5 The possibilities are endless. Have fun and use your imagination!

Box of Chocolates - Who doesn't love chocolate??? This activity is super fun and always a hit. Just be sure to have a candy alternative for those kiddos who are allergic to chocolate and/or nuts. Buy a box of chocolates and write numbers on the container underneath the chocolates. Assign a song to each number. Have a child pick a piece of chocolate. Sing the song that corresponds.

St.Patrick’s Day Leprechaun Hats - Purchase some mini leprechaun hats from your local craft store. Create a memory game by numbering the insides of the hats. Pictures representing the keywords of the songs you'd like to sing also work. Place the hats in rows on the table. Invite a child to try and find a match. When a match is made, sing the corresponding song.

St. Patty's Day Rainbow - Create a rainbow on the chalkboard using various colors of crate paper. Assign a song to each color of the rainbow. Have a child come up and choose one of the colors off the rainbow. Sing the corresponding song. Since there's always a "pot of gold" at the end of a rainbow, provide each child with a gold treat at the end of singing time. I have used both gold chocolate coins and Rolos. A fun size bag of Skittles would also be cute (the colors of the rainbow). Whatever the treat, place it in a black pot (I found a plastic one at Target). Magic Shoes - I originally found this idea on Sugardoodle and it was a total hit. Find or make a pair of green shoes. Talk to a member of your primary presidency beforehand about wearing the shoes (Disclaimer: it WILL require dancing). Explain to the children that a Leprechaun has left a pair of magic dancing shoes. These shoes will make whoever wears them dance. The better the children sing, the better the shoes will work. Instruct the person wearing the shoes to start off dancing slowly...maybe just tapping his/her feet. As the children sing well, have the helper start to dance more quickly. When I did this, many of the children wanted to try wearing the shoes (especially the oldest boys). Use your discretion...this can be a lot of fun but has the potential to get rowdy! Shamrocks - I found my shamrocks at JoAnn's. A clipart image also works. Number the backs of the shamrocks and assign a song to each one. Tape the shamrocks underneath the chairs throughout the room. At the beginning of singing time, have the children check underneath their chairs. Have the "lucky"

children with shamrocks come up one at a time to lead the song. Sing the corresponding song. Leprechaun Leader - I found these items at JoAnn's. Have a child wear the leprechaun mask or green glasses and lead the group using the "lucky" wand.

Treasure Hunt – Camillie at www.camillesprimaryideas.com outlines a darling scavenger hunt for St. Patrick’s Day. Clues, visuals, & instructions can be found by visiting http://www.camillesprimaryideas.com/2013/03/st-patricks-day-treasure-hunt-review.html. *A fun way to determine who gets to participate during all of these games is to place shamrocks underneath the children's chairs. At the beginning of singing time, have the children check to see how "lucky" they are...those with shamrocks get to be the helpers during the chosen activity. March Madness This activity has become a tradition in my ward. The children all look forward to it and I frequently get requests. All you will need is a basketball hoop (I bring my son’s Little Tikes brand hoop), masking tape, a small-sized basketball, and a list of songs for practice. Tape 3 lines on the floor facing the basketball hoop with the closest being a free throw line, the middle line a 2-point shot, and the furthest a 3-point shot. Choose a child to make a shot…he or she gets to select which line to shoot from. If a free throw is made, a wiggle song is sung. If a 2-point shot is made, the child gets to pick his or her favorite song to sing. If a 3-point shot is made, no song is sung and you move to the next child. If any of these shots are missed, the chorister gets to pick the song. *This can also be done in teams. Divide the room in half and choose a child to shoot the ball. Have the same lines on the floor, but don’t assign song categories to each line. Instead, the child gets to choose what song to sing if any of the shots are made. If he or she misses, the chorister picks. When shots

are made, assign points to the teams according to the line they are shot from. Alternate shots and singing between the two teams. *Pass a small basketball around the room while the pianist plays (“hot-potato”) to determine who gets to come up. Easter Symbols of Easter – I have done the following activity several times and it ALWAYS invites the spirit. I am sure many of you have seen this before, but the best way to teach is through repetition. I usually do this activity over two weeks. You will need numbered plastic eggs with the following objects placed inside them:

1. Sacrament cup - Jesus introduces the sacrament at the Passover dinner. This is known as the Last Supper because it was Jesus' last supper before he was crucified. Jesus told his disciples what would happen that night and that one of them would betray Him.

2. White cloth with drops of blood on it (use red food coloring) - Jesus led his disciples to a garden of olive trees called Gethsemane. He asked Peter, James, and John to wait for Him nearby while He went to pray. While Jesus prayed, He "atoned" for our sins...He bled from every pour of His body because He was suffering for the sins of all people.

3. 3 dimes 4. Chocolate kiss - After Jesus finished praying, Judas came with a group of

men carrying clubs and swords. The Pharisees (Jewish leaders) paid Judas 30 pieces of silver to take them to Jesus. Judas showed them who Jesus was by kissing Him on the cheek. The men took Jesus and led him to the high priest. The high priest questioned Jesus. They hit Him and spit on Him.

5. Piece of yarn 6. Piece of soap - The next morning, the soldiers tied Jesus' hands and took

Him to the governor (Pontias Pilate). Pilate asked Jesus many questions and didn’t think Jesus had done anything wrong. The Pharisees told Pilate that Jesus should die. Pilate did not want any trouble with the Pharisees so he told his soldiers to crucify Jesus. He washed his hands before the multitude saying that he found no fault with Jesus and that crucifying Him was their choice.

7. Thorns 8. Piece of red cloth - Pilate's soldiers stripped Jesus and beat Him with

whips. They put a red robe on Him and placed a crown of thorns upon His head. They mocked Him by saying, "Hail, King of the Jews". They spit upon Him.

9. Nail - Jesus was taken to a hill (Calvary) near Jerusalem to be crucified. They nailed Him to a cross. They put nails in His feet, hands, and wrists. Jesus prayed, asking Heavenly Father to forgive the soldiers who crucified Him because they did not understand that He was the Savior.

10. Small rocks - About 3 hours after Jesus was nailed to the cross, the sky became very dark. The darkness lasted about 3 hours. Jesus' suffering was so great that it was almost more than He could stand. He cried out, "My God, my God, why has Thou forsaken me?" Jesus then said, "I thirst". Someone dipped a sponge in vinegar, placed it on a stick, and put it up to Jesus' mouth. In a loud voice, Jesus said, "It is finished. Father into Thy hands, I commend my spirit." Jesus bowed His head and His spirit left His body. He had accomplished what He came to earth to do...He had completed it on His own. The earth immediately began to shake.

11. Piece of white cloth 12. Spices - One of Jesus' disciples asked Pilate if he could care for Jesus'

body after He died. Pilate agreed to let him do this. Mary and Mary Magdalene wrapped Jesus' body in linen and used spices to preserve His body. They would return to do this again in a few days.

13. Rock - A large rock was rolled in front of the tomb. The Pharisees asked Pilate to place a guard in front of the tomb...Jesus had told them that He would rise on the third day. They were afraid that the disciples might come and take the body to make it look like Jesus had risen.

14. Empty egg - An angel of the Lord descended from heaven and rolled back the stone from the tomb. When Mary and Mary Magdalene returned, they entered the tomb and saw an angel of the Lord who told them, "Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified; He is risen; He is not here." Mary Magdalene ran to tell Jesus' disciples. They ran to the tomb and saw that it was empty. Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdalene while she was in the garden mourning. She turned and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not recognize Him. She thought He was the gardener or caretaker. Jesus called Mary by her name...she realized it was the Savior and cried, "Rabboni" (Master). Jesus asked Mary not to touch Him because He had not yet ascended to His Father in Heaven. He told her to go to the apostles and tell them what she had seen.

Invite a child (or two children on those with two eggs) to come up and open an egg. Discuss the objects and then sing a song of your choice. Close by bearing testimony of the Savior's atonement and His love for each of us. Plastic Eggs - Put the following scriptures in plastic Easter eggs. Each scripture contains a message that Christ taught. Have a child pick an egg and read the scripture. Have the child identify what the Savior taught us and discuss it with the group. Sing the corresponding song. John 13:34-35 Love One Another p. 136 Mark 16:15 The Church of Jesus Christ p. 77 3 Nephi 11:37 Baptism p. 100 3 Nephi 18:19 A Child's Prayer p. 12

Matthew 5: 16 Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam p. 60 John 15: 10-12 I Feel My Savior's Love p. 74 John 13:15 I'm Trying to Be like Jesus p. 78 Matthew 5:14-16 I Am like a Star p. 163 John 13:17 Choose the Right Way p. 160 Matthew 5:43-46 Jesus Said Love Everyone p. 61 Luke 2:40 Jesus Once Was a Little Child p. 55

Close by bearing your testimony of the Savior, His life, and the Atonement. Testify that Jesus provided us with a perfect example to follow. He then gave His life so we could all be saved from sin. He is truly our Savior. Close by singing "He Sent His Son" (p. 57).

*This can also be done with paper Easter eggs. Write the scriptures on the back of each egg and hide them underneath the children’s chairs. Place a large paper Easter basket on the chalkboard. Explain that the basket is empty and needs to be filled. Have the children look for the eggs under their chairs…whoever finds an egg gets to come up and participate. Have each child read the scripture, identify what the Savior taught us, and place the egg in the basket. Discuss each scripture with the group and sing the corresponding song. Easter “Do As I’m Doing” - I purchased these masks and ears from the Target dollar section, but I have seen similar items at Michael’s. Make Easter action cards that say “Hop like a bunny”, “Peck like a chick”, “Roll like an egg”, “Gambol like a lamb”, etc. Have a child draw a card and lead the rest of the children in "Do as I'm Doing" Easter style! Have him/her wear the mask or ears that corresponds to the card chosen.

Easter Egg Hunt – Place song titles inside plastic Easter eggs and hide them around the room. Choose a child to find an egg. Sing the song inside.

“Eggs”-entration - Make or print clipart images of non-matching Easter eggs. You will need at least 12-16 (for a total of 6-8 matches). Write numbers, song titles, lines from songs (“Whenever I hear the song of a bird” on one & “or look at the blue, blue sky” on the other), or keywords for songs on the backs. Pictures representing the topic/keyword of the songs would also work. Lay them out on the table or tape them to the chalkboard. Have a child try to make a match. Whenever a match is made, sing the corresponding song. Mother’s Day Build-a-Mother – This idea is courtesy of www.iheartprimarymusic.blogspot.com. I drew my own mother. Have the children pick pieces and assemble a mother. For each piece, read the poem and sing a song. Legs/Feet: Her feet are busy all day long with loving tasks to make me strong.

They lead me in the righteous way and guide me if I go astray.

Knees: Whether playing a game or scrubbing the floors,

her knees bend willingly to every chore. And kneeling in prayer with me each night, she teaches me how to do what's right.

Lap: There's a special place my mother has made

where I can go when I'm hurt or afraid; Or if I just need a hug or nap, I climb into my mother's lap.

Heart: A mother's heart may be quite small in size,

but forgiving the most, it wins the grand prize. Her love's given freely, without any strings, but to see it returned will make her heart sing.

Arms: When loving her children, her arms are so gentle;

when protecting from harm, they can be hard as metal. They can hold, lift, and carry heavy burdens or light. But a mom's arms are best when they're hugging you tight.

Hands: A mom's hands keep busy throughout the long day

preparing meals and cleaning away. Whether mending a shirt or wiping a tear, whenever I need help, my mom's hands appear.

Shoulders: Though she might not have the broadest of shoulder,

they're able to lift some of life's heaviest boulders. Moms are able to share your worries with care, and when you need a good cry, her shoulder's always there.

Face: Obedient to the Lord, Mom's face is a sample

of a lifetime of service and good example. The laughter and joy lines make it special, you see, for each one was put there by children like me.

Eyes: Her eyes shine with pride over each child's good deed,

though sometimes a tear may slide down her cheek. With protecting care they watch me at play, and seek every chance to help me each day.

Mouth: From her mouth I hear stories of what Jesus would do.

She speaks words of truth and encouragement, too. I love hearing her laughter and seeing her smile You see, Mom's my best friend--and I like her style!

Know Your Mom “Purse-onally” – Another great idea from www.iheartprimarymusic.blogspot.com. Ask some moms in your ward what their favorite primary songs are; it may be fun to ask the members of your Primary presidency. Collect 6-8 purses and place the song titles inside. Display the purses and have a child choose one. Sing the song!

Father’s Day Ready for Church – This visual was made by my mother YEARS ago. It is truly vintage Primary! It’s a classic that I continue to bring out each year and the children love it as much as I did as a child. Display the father visual and tell the children that you are going to help him get ready for work/church…be sure to make his hair look extra messy. Assign a song to each item and place them in a small suitcase. Choose a child to select an item and place it on the father. Sing the corresponding song. Items are as follows: a comb to straighten his hair, a razor (remove the blade or keep the cover on) to shave his face (remove the sandpaper), a hat, a shirt, a tie, and a jacket.

4th of July Fireworks – I have repeated this activity for several years and the children look forward to it. Tell them that you are going to have fireworks in Primary! Purchase confetti poppers from a fireworks stand or grocery store. Write song titles for practice on strips of paper and roll them up. Remove the cardboard piece from the end of the popper and place the song inside. Replace the piece of cardboard. Choose a child to select a popper, pull the string, and find the song title amidst the confetti. Sing the corresponding song. The children will be so curious about how you got the paper inside. Be sure to have a trash nearby. Pioneer Day Pioneer Children – Another classic made by my mother. Choose a child to put their face through the visual while singing a Pioneer Day song. This works especially well with “Pioneer Children Sang as They Walked” p. 214.

Bonnets – Assign a song to each bonnet. Have a child pick a bonnet and then sing the corresponding song.

Wagon Wheel of Fortune – This idea is courtesy of “The Ordinary Adventures of a Primary Chorister” blog (www.basicprimarymusic.blogspot.com). Select 6 graphics and tape them to a large spinner. Graphics can be found at http://basicprimarymusic.blogspot.com/2010/07/pioneer-wagon-wheel-of-fortune.html. I used one I bought at Oriental Trading. Explain that, "When the Pioneers were traveling across the prairies, plains, deserts, and mountains to reach the Salt Lake Valley, they encountered many adventures! We are going to sings songs today that teach us about their journeys. First we will spin the spinner on the wagon wheel. The spinner will land on a picture of one of their adventures, and I will explain how we will sing the pioneer song." Select a child to spin. Sing the song according to the graphic where the spinner stops.

Ox: Sing very slowly "Teams of oxen were used to pull heavy wagons.

Oxen are very slow animals, but because they are stronger than horses or mules, many pioneers used them to pull their heavy wagons."

Bunny rabbit: Sing very fast "Rabbits were seen along the pioneer trail. Rabbits are FAST and hard to catch!"

Pioneer girl: Only girls sing (Put girl pioneer clothes on a girl) "These are some of the things pioneer girls would wear." Pioneer boy: Only boys sing (Put boy pioneer clothes on a boy) "These are some of the things pioneer boys would wear." Cowboy boot: Sing western style

"Lots of pioneer boys and girls your age were real cowboys and cowgirls! They drove cows and other animals all by themselves along the pioneer trek!"

Snake: Sing very quietly "Yes, there were rattlesnakes! If the pioneers encountered a rattlesnake it was best to be very quiet and not disturb it!"

Native American: Children trade seats "There were many, many encounters with Indians along the trails. Pioneers would 'TRADE' some of their precious items (jewelry, dishes, toys, furniture) for much needed food, or furs and blankets to keep warm."

Ax & Wood: Sing "choppy" (staccato) "Children had the job of collecting firewood for campfires. When there were no trees for wood, they would collect sagebrush or buffalo dung to burn in their campfires!

Beehive & Bee: If the child holds this picture up high in the air, everyone hums. When the child hides the picture, everyone sings the words.

"The Pioneers wanted to call their new home 'Deseret', which meant 'honey bee' in the Jaredite language in the Book of Mormon. The honey bee was symbolic for how industrious or 'busy' the pioneers were, just like bees!"

Ant: Stomp to the beat "Sometimes insects, like ants, invaded the pioneer camps. Pioneers had to stomp to get the ants off their bodies! Yikes!"

Cow: Hot-n-Cold (A child leaves the room while someone hides the cow in the room. When the child returns, the rest of the children sing loud when he/she is close to the cow and softly when he/she is not close).

"If a cow wandered away from the pioneer camps, sometimes children your age had to search for them and bring them back to the camp."

Mountains: Echo sing (Divide the children in two and have the first group

sing a phrase of the song. The second group echoes the first. Have the pianist play each phrase twice throughout the entire song.) "When the pioneers finally reached the mountains they discovered some places in canyons, between two mountains, that would echo anything they said or sang!"

After each picture has been landed on with the spinner and used, replace it with a new picture.

Back to School School Supplies – Fill a backpack with various school supplies. Attach the saying to each one. Have a child choose an item from the backpack and then sing the corresponding song. Eraser We have been blessed with the gift of repentance. We can

“erase” our mistakes! Repentance p. 98 Glue Stick Stick to the Savior’s example like glue. If you do so, you will

always choose the right! I’m Trying to Be like Jesus p. 178, Jesus Once Was a Little Child

p. 59

Pencil The scriptures contain the written words of Prophets. We can

read them to learn how to return to our Heavenly Father and Savior. Book of Mormon Stories p. 118, Seek the Lord Early p. 108, Search, Ponder, and Pray p. 109

Crayons Always remember your Primary Colors. Red is for courage to

do what is right, yellow’s for service from morning til night, blue is for truth in your thought and your deed. You will be happy when this is your creed!

Our Primary Colors p. 258 Sharpener Stay “sharp” and be in-tune. Always listen for the still small

voice. He will help you choose the right! The Holy Ghost p. 105 Calculator The best way to “calculate” how to return to Heavenly Father is to follow His plan! I Will Follow God’s Plan p. 164 Ruler Always follow Heavenly Father’s “rules”. If you do, you will be

blessed! Keep the Commandments p. 146 Scissors “Cut” things from your life that aren’t pleasing to Heavenly

Father. When we follow the teachings of Jesus and choose the right, we will always be happy!

Choose the Right Way p. 160 Folders – This idea was found on Sugardoodle (credit unknown). Buy different colored school folders and label the fronts with school subjects. On the inside, write a Primary song that corresponds to the subject. Have a child choose a folder and then sing the song. Possible subjects are: Biology My Heavenly Father Loves Me p. 228 Art Our Primary Colors p. 258 Anatomy Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes p. 275 Music Hum Your Favorite Hymn p. 152 Science When I Am Baptized p. 103 Reading The Books in the Book of Mormon p. 119, Scripture Power Recess Do As I'm Doing p. 276 P.E. Hinges p. 277 Math Keep the Commandments p. 146 Social Studies Children All Over the World p. 16

History Book of Mormon Stories p. 118 Geography Called to Serve p. 174 *A fun way to pick who gets to come up is to buy a pencil for each child. Draw stars on the ends of 6-8 of them and put them all in a pencil box. Pass the pencil box around the room and instruct the children to choose a pencil. Those who have stars on the ends of their pencils get to come up and participate. Halloween “Boo-ling” - For this activity, you will need bowling pins (I picked mine up at Target), paper ghosts, and a small ball or pumpkin. Write song titles on the back of the ghosts and tape them to the bowling pins. Set the pins up and have a child roll the ball toward them. If the child knocks down one pin, that's the song you sing. If a few pins are knocked down, he or she can choose between the songs. If a strike is bowled, the child gets to choose his or her favorite primary song. Once a song is chosen, remove that pin. You could also just tape the ghosts to the pins without songs written on the back. If the child bowls a strike, he or she gets to pick the song. If not, the chorister picks. Halloween Ring Toss – This idea was found on www.iheartprimarymusic.blogspot.com. Use 6 empty 2-liter pop bottles as bowling pins (wrap them with Halloween scrapbook paper to make them cute). Use diving rings or paper plates with the middles cut out for your rings. Put a number on the top of each lid to represent a song to sing. Choose a child to try throwing a ring around a bottle...each child gets 3 chances. Mummy Wrap – This activity is super simple and the children always love it. You will need several rolls of toilet paper. Select two children to come up…one to be the mummy and one to wrap the toilet paper. Have the child wrap the other in toilet paper like a mummy while the rest of the children sing a song. Witches Brew – This activity was seen on www.iheartprimarymusic.blogspot.com. You will need a large pot (cauldron), straws, and clipart images to serve as “ingredients” (for example, a bat, pumpkin, ghost, spider, etc.). Write a song to sing on the back of each one. Choose a child to suck up an stew ingredient with the straw and put it in the pot. Sing the corresponding song. Trick-Treat-or-Share? – This idea came from www.beehivemessages.blogspot.com. Place TRICK, TREAT, or SHARE cards in a trick-or-treat bag (cards can be found and downloaded at http://beehivemessages.blogspot.com/2010/10/primary-music-idea-trick-treat-share.html). Choose a child to pick a card from the basket. If a TRICK CARD is chosen, the child will have to do a music trick. Possible tricks are:

1. Line up prophet photos in order and then sing “Latter-day Prophets”

as a group. 2. Line up all of the Book of Mormon books in order and then sing

“Books of the Book of Mormon” as a group. 3. Sing “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” backwards with the

motions as a group. If a TREAT CARD is chosen, special music treats are given. For example:

1. Girls sing for the boys 2. Boys sing for the girls 3. Teachers sing to the Primary children

If a SHARE CARD is chosen, the children pick their favorite song. They could also lead the music, play the piano (if they know how to play), sing a solo, etc. Thanksgiving Thanksgiving “Headbanz” - My kids LOVE the board game "Headbanz". This activity definitely works the best with Senior Primary. You will need a headband (I used the one from my game but you can also make one out of paper and hold the feather on with a paperclip) and paper feathers with gospel topics/people written on them.

Have a child come up and put the headband on. Put a feather on the headband without him or her seeing it. Next the child asks yes/no questions to figure out what the feather says. For example, "Am I a person?”, "Am I a Thing?", "Can you read me?" etc. If this is too difficult, you can have the rest of the primary children give the child clues to help him or her figure out what is written on the feather. For example, clues for the Holy Ghost could be "I help you choose the right", "You feel warm inside when I am talking to you", "I can comfort you when you are sad or afraid", etc. Once the correct answer is given, sing a song that corresponds.

Turkey Toss – This activity was found at (www.iheartprimarymusic.blogspot.com). For this activity you will need 6-8 blown up balloons, 6-8 paper turkeys, and beanbags (or another soft object that can be thrown). Write songs/numbers on the back of each turkey. Tape the turkeys to a blown up balloon and line them up in a row on a table. Have a child come up and toss a beanbag at a turkey. Sing the song on the back.

Turkey Bowl - For this activity, you will need bowling pins (I picked mine up at Target), paper turkeys, and a small ball or pumpkin. Write song names on the back of each turkey. Have a child softly roll the ball or pumpkin toward the pins. If the child knocks down one pin, that's the song you sing. If a few pins are knocked down, he or she chooses between the songs. If the child bowls a strike, he or she gets to choose a favorite primary song. Once a song is chosen, remove that pin. Shoot the Turkey - You will need a paper turkey, paper feathers with gospel topics written on them, and a Nerf gun. Be warned it can get a little rowdy. Have a child come up and take a shot at “Thomas E. Normous” using the Nerf gun... I used the nametag in the middle of my turkey for the target. If the child hits the target, he or she gets to pluck a feather. Have him or her think of a primary song that corresponds with the feather chosen. Potential topics and songs are as follows: Holy Ghost: The Holy Ghost p. 105 Eternal Life: I Lived in Heaven p. 4 Savior/Example: Jesus Once Was a Little Child p. 55, I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus

p.78 Atonement: He Sent His Son p. 34 Baptism: Baptism p. 100, When I Am Baptized p.103 Happiness: If You're Happy p. 266 Friends: Here We Are Together p. 261

Church: The Church of Jesus Christ p. 77 Primary Songs: The child's favorite primary song Testimony: The Church of Jesus Christ p. 77, I Am a Child of God p. 1 Knowledge: The Wise Man and the Foolish Man p. 281 Prophets: Latter-Day Prophets p. 134, Follow the Prophet p. 110 Health/Bodies: The Lord Gave Me a Temple p. 153, Hinges p. 277 Prayer: Children All Over the World p. 16 Eternal Family: Families Can Be Together Forever p. 188 Nature: Popcorn Popping p. 242, Once There Was a Snowman p. 249 Heavenly Father: My Heavenly Father Loves Me p. 228

*I found the picture for my turkey in Super Singing Activities for Family Home Evening and Primary by Mary H. Ross and Jennette Guymon-King. Pluck the Turkey – This game is played with the visuals from “Shoot the Turkey”. Choose a child to pluck a feather off the turkey. You can have topics written on the feathers or have blank feathers so the child can say something they are thankful for. Either way, sing a song that corresponds. Pumpkin Pie - Who doesn't love pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving dinner? This visual can be used in several different ways. I made it years ago when I taught school and I no longer have the book I got it from. But you could easily make one yourself.

Variation 1: Place the empty pie container on the board. Write songs/numbers on the pumpkin pie pieces and place them in a sack/container. Have a child pick a piece of pie. Sing the song on the back. Tape the pie piece to the container.

*You could also have the children say what their favorite thing to eat is at Thanksgiving dinner!

Variation 2: This is fun to do as a game. Divide the room into two teams and place two empty pie containers on the board. Place all the pumpkin pie pieces in a sack/container. Formulate questions pertaining to topics taught during Sharing Time. Tape a question on the back of the pie pieces. Take turns having a child from each team draw a pie piece and answer the question. If the children answer correctly, they get to tape their pie piece to the container. Sing a song that corresponds with the topic. The first team to have a whole pie WINS (or the team with the fullest pie at the end of singing time).

Variation 3: Write songs on the pie pieces. Place a whole pie on the board. Have a child come up and pick a piece of pie. Sing the song on the back.

Christmas Gifts from the Savior - I have done this activity the past couple years and I LOVE it. It invites the Spirit and really emphasizes the true meaning of Christmas. I typically like to do it the Sunday before Christmas. It can also be stretched out over two weeks. Gather various pictures that show "gifts" the Savior has given to us...I usually get mine from a Gospel Art Kit, however, objects can also be used. Wrap the pictures individually or place them in gift sacks and put them under a small Christmas tree. If you don't want to take a tree to church, print off a picture of one and place it on the chalkboard. Have a child open a gift. Show the picture to the rest of the children and ask if they know what the gift is. Discuss the gift and bear testimony of it. Place the picture on the chalkboard (if using a picture of a Christmas tree, place the "gifts" underneath the tree). Sing a song that corresponds with the pictured gift. Close by showing a picture of the ultimate gift: the Atonement and Crucifixion. Discuss what a great blessing this is and bear testimony of it. Encourage the children to remember the true

meaning of Christmas...the birth and life of our Savior. Close by singing "He Sent His Son" on p. 34. Possible gifts and songs include: President Monson: We are blessed to have Latter-Day prophets to guide us.

Stand for the Right p. 159 Latter-Day Prophets p. 134

Temple: Temples make it possible for us to be sealed to our families for all eternity. I Love to See the Temple p. 95

Baptism: Jesus Christ set the example and was baptized just like

we are/will be when we are 8 years old. When we are baptized, we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost who is always there to guide and comfort us. Baptism p. 100, When I Am Baptized p. 103, The Holy Ghost p. 105

Scriptures: We are blessed to have many tools to guide and help us

know how to return to our Heavenly Father and Savior. The scriptures are one of them. Scripture Power, Book of Mormon Stories p. 118

Prayer: We are not alone. We can pray and ask for guidance or help

any time. A Child's Prayer p. 12

Families: We were given our parents and families to guide us here on

earth. If we live righteously, we will get to live with them for all eternity. Families Can Be Together Forever p. 188

His Example: Jesus gave us a perfect example to follow. If we live our lives

like He did and always choose the right, we will receive the gift of living with Him for all eternity. I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus p. 78 , Jesus Once Was a Little Child p. 55

Church: We are blessed to be members of the church. We get to

come to church each week and learn about the Savior. Our testimonies are strengthened when we do so. We are taught exactly what to do to return to His presence. I Belong to the Church of Jesus Christ p. 77

Obviously there are MANY more blessings that can be added to this list. The great thing about this activity is that it can be repeated year after year simply by adding different gifts. Christmas Hats - I purchased these hats at Michael's for on the cheap! I also added a felt Santa hat into the mix. Download the Christmas singing cards found at http://www.oopseydaisyblog.com/2010/12/book-advent-day-20-christmas-action.html. Have a child draw a card and lead the rest of the children in "Do as I'm Doing" Christmas style! If there's a hat that corresponds to the card chosen, put it on the child's head.

Gingerbread Man - This idea was shared at www.iheartprimarymusic.blogspot.com. I found it to work best for Junior Primary. I like this activity because it’s different than the traditional decorate a tree or snowman singing time. I ended up making my gingerbread man and decorations out of craft foam. Place the undecorated gingerbread man on the board. Place the decorations in a sack or container. Have the children assemble him, singing a Christmas song after each piece is chosen.

New Year’s Fireworks – I have repeated this activity for several years and the children look forward to it. Tell them that you are going to have fireworks in Primary! Purchase confetti poppers from a grocery store. Write song titles for practice on strips of paper and roll them up. Remove the cardboard piece from the end of the popper and place the song inside. Replace the piece of cardboard. Choose a child to select a popper, pull the string, and find the song title amidst the confetti. Sing the corresponding song. The children will be so curious about how you got the paper inside. Be sure to have a trash can close by! Noisemakers – Purchase various noisemakers…you can usually find them at grocery or craft stores around New Year’s. Assign a song to each noisemaker. Have a child pick one and shake it to the beat while the group sings the song.