Activity Ideas

* Broom hockey — Our stake has played this both in the cultural hall as well as at an ice-skating rink.

* Hiking — Our youth took a hike in the snow in the Appalachian mountains. At the end of the trail was a ward member’s cabin with hot chocolate and sandwiches awaiting us. It was beautiful, connected us all with nature, and created a great sense of unity with the youth. The snowball fight at the end was a lot of fun, too.

* River rafting — Our stake has a tradition of having the Priests and Laurels of the stake float down a river every May. We stop half-way down the river for a picnic. There are a few rapids on the river, but for the most part it’s just a leisurely ride filled with water fights and fun.

* Water balloon night — We had fun with water balloons one summer night for an activity. We had balloon tosses. We also had a balloon catapult competition (using surgical tubing and a baseball mitt as the catapult). We also had relay races with water balloons and ended the night with ice cream.

* Life-size Clue — We mapped out a life-size Clue game in the cultural hall using masking tape. Classes and quorums became the “players” as we went from room to room looking for clues to guess who committed the crime!

* Life as a missionary — This can be done as part of a joint activity or just with individual classes. You can have different stations set-up showing the life of a missionary. For example, have an ironing board and iron set-up to give the youth the opportunity to practice (and learn how) to iron a shirt. Another station can be cooking Top-Raman in the kitchen, etc., etc. Finish it off by either writing the missionaries (and or including a care-package) to all missionaries serving from (or in) the ward.

* Etiquette — Invite someone known for their social graces to the youth activity night. Talk about manners, table etiquette, how to greet individuals, etc.

* Dating panel — Invite a combination of older youth and youth leaders to participate in a dating panel. Talk about church standards, ask and answer dating/standards questions from the youth.

* Sports ideas — Basketball, 5-k races, steal-the flag, mock track meets, croquet, balloon basketball, ping pong, tennis, etc. all make for lively, team building activities.

* Lake party — Have a lake party to kick off a new school year.

* Caving — Find a cave (preferrably non-commercial) to go to as a youth group. Be sure to take proper gear (change of clothes, flash lights, extra set of batteries, helmets, etc.). This can be a lot of fun and very informative. There are lots of caves in the southeast (Tennessee, Georgia, etc.).

* Ice skating/roller skating

* Modesty/grooming — Have the bishop or other youth leader talk about modesty and grooming. Talk about it from a young man’s perspective as well as a young woman’s perspective.

* Good music ideas — Have an activity or Sunday Evening Discussion on music as it relates to For the Strength of Youth Pamphlet. Talk about the dangers of bad music and the positive aspects of good music.

* Make a video — Have the youth class/quorum decide on a story (keep it simple). Film them in action. End the evening watching the finished product and eating popcorn.

* Make a prayer rock — Paint a prayer rock and discuss how to make personal prayers more effective.

* Mission callings — Have a recently returned (or recently called) missionary discuss their feelings of opening their mission call. Have mock mission letters prepared for the class/quorum. Open the letters and discuss the cultures of the various places mentioned in the letters. (This could be part of a mini-mission weekend for youth.)

* Take pictures of the quorum/class. Write personal testimonies. Put the testimonies and pictures in copies of the Book of Mormon. Give the copies to the missionaries serving in the ward/branch or send them to missionaries serving from the ward/branch.

* Create a story — Have the class/quorum create a scripture story to give to a Primary class. Use their drawings and text. Use a color photocopy to make copies for all of the children of a Primary class.

* Scrapbooking/Book of Remembrance — Have the class/quorum bring pictures that can be used in their own Book of Remembrances. Discuss the purpose and importance of these books — make them together. (Note: this may take several weeks to do, but can be worth the effort.)

* Love your ancestors — Have each class/quorum member learn about one of their ancestors and be prepared to share a brief story from that ancestor’s life.

* Guess that Book of Mormon character — Have a scavenger hunt in the church parking lot/church grounds. Hide scripture clues that give hints about a particular Book of Mormon character. After guessing the person from the Book of Mormon, talk briefly about that person and their life. Finish the evening off with ice cream!

* Get to know the bishop — Talk to the Bishop’s wife to get pictures and stories about the bishop. Invite the bishop to the special youth night. Make the bishop sit in front of the group while different youth tell the various stories and show pictures of the bishop.

* Clean the sacrament trays — This is an important activity for the Teachers Quorum to do periodically.

* Learn a new hobby/skill — Whether it’s photography or auto repair, there’s always something new to learn as a quorum or class. Invite someone who knows a lot about a particular subject and have them share some of their knowledge.

* Campfire stories and sing along — Find a place where the youth can build a fire. Tell inspirational or funny stories and sing songs.

* Make instruments — Make percussion/rhythm instruments using dried gourts, burned-out light bulbs, sandpaper, bells, pieces of wood, beans, home-made drums, etc. Have a concert.

Source: http://www.ldstoday.com/organizations/young_women.htm