New Year

Family Home Evening Lesson
“New Year and Renewal”

Opening Song: "The World is so Big " Children's Songbook #235

Opening Prayer: Child

Lesson: Mommy

A New Year:

A few days ago we celebrated the start of a new year - 2009. Tonight we will talk more about how special this is to us, that The Lord has given us another year to do more and become better people

Go here to Sofia's Primary Ideas to see an idea about how we can not run/ or jog forever we need to rest, eat, drink. The New Year is a great time to think about the coming year. Often we are on holidays and have some time to think and reflect. However the Lord has also provided a way for us to do this more often. We do not need to wait a whole year to renew ourselves. Each week when we take the sacrament we can start fresh and new in the sight of God.

Sit down and think of one goal for the family (or if it isnt too much, one goal for each child) to do in the coming year. {This year our family is going to kneel for family prayer both morning and night}

Talk about goals that will be reached this year for each family member

Birthdays
Baptism
School
Kindergarten
New class in Primary

If you haven’t already started the new year with a Fathers/Priesthood blessing for all the children/everyone in the family, do so tonight. This makes a wonderful family tradition to start each new year.


Suggested Activity:
Have a calendar ready and mark off special days in the year - ask for childrens input

In Belgium on New Years children save money to buy decorated paper for writing holiday greetings to parents and god parents. On New Year's morning the children read what they have written to their parents and god parents. Write some New Year Letters to Grandparents, family or just for yourselves. Write your loves and wishes and achievements and keep them somewhere special for the year.

Closing Song: "My Heavenly Father Loves Me" Children's Songbook #228

Closing Prayer: Daddy

Treat:
Round/ring foods are typically eaten in many European countries at New Year. It symbolises a New Year finished, eternal round of time, A new beginning. The Dutch eat donuts on New year, Italians eat round honey balls, Mexico and Spain eat 12 round grapes

Prepare some "round" foods to eat and enjoy with the family.

The Symbols of Christmas

Opening Song: We Wish you a Merry Christmas

Opening Prayer: Child

Lesson: Daddy

The Symbols of Christmas (taken from this site: Luv's Creations)
Preparation- gather these items: Christmas tree, a star, a red ornament, a bell, a candle (or christmas lights), a candy cane, a wreath with a red bow, Santa Claus picture. You can pick and choose and only do the ones you want. Paraphrase the sections based on the ages of your children.

Christmas tree- Green is the second color of Christmas. The evergreen with its unchanging color represents the hope of eternal life in Jesus. Its needles point heavenward as a reminder that man's thoughts should turn heavenward as well.

A Star-The star was the heavenly sign of promise. God promised a Savior for the world and the star was the sign of the fulfillment of that promise of the night that Jesus Christ was born. God always fulfills His promises and that the wise will still seek Him.

Red-the first color of Christmas. It is the color of the life giving blood that flows through our veins. It is the symbol of God's greatest gift. Christ gave His life and shed his blood for them that they might have eternal life.

Bells-Just as lost sheep are guided to safety by the sound of the bell, it continues to ring today for all to be guided to the fold. Follow the true Shepherd who gave His life for the sheep.

A candle- The glow of the candle represents how man can show his thanks for the gift of God's Son that Christmas Eve long ago. Follow in Christ's footsteps... to go about doing good. Let your light shine before men that all may see it and glorify God. This is what is symbolized when the twinkling lights shine on the tree like hundreds of bright, shining candles, each of them representing one of God's precious children, their light shining for all to see.

A candy cane- White to symbolize the virgin birth and sinless nature of Jesus. The shape 'J' to represent the precious name of Jesus who came to earth as our Savior. It also represents the crook of the Good Shepherd which he uses to reach down into the ditches of the world to lift out the fallen lambs who, like sheep, have gone astray. The original candy cane had three small red stripes which are the stripes of the scourging Jesus received by which we are healed, and a large red stripe that represents the shed blood of Jesus so that we can have eternal life.

A wreath tied with a bright red bow-The bow reminds us of the bond of perfection which is love. The wreath embodies all the good things about Christmas for those with eyes to see and hearts to understand. It contains the colors of red and green and the heaven turned needles of the evergreen. The bow tells the story of good will towards all and its color reminds us of Christ's sacrifice. Even the wreath's very shape is symbolic, representing eternity and the eternal nature of Christ's love. It is a circle without beginning and without end.

Santa Claus- Represents the spirit of family fun and the joy of giving and receiving.

Activity:
Make this Baby Jesus
or this angel ornament
or this Christmas tree

Closing Song: Christmas Bells, Children's Songbook #54

Prayer: Mommy

Treat:
Candy Cane Cookies (Make dough ahead of time. If you kids like Play Doh, they'll love making these!)

1	cup sugar
1	cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2	cup milk
1	teaspoon vanilla
1	teaspoon peppermint extract (I prefer almond extract)
1	egg
3 1/2	cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
1	teaspoon baking powder
1/4	teaspoon salt
1/2	teaspoon red food color
2	tablespoons finely crushed peppermint candies
2	tablespoons sugar

Stir together 1 cup sugar, the butter, milk, vanilla, peppermint (or almond) extract and egg in large bowl. Stir in flour, baking powder and salt. Divide dough in half. Stir food color into 1 half. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours. (I didn't need to refrigerate it)

Heat oven to 375ºF.

Stir together peppermint candy and 2 tablespoon sugar; set aside.

For each candy cane, shape 1 rounded teaspoon dough from each half into 4-inch rope by rolling back and forth on floured surface. Place 1 red and white rope side by side; press together lightly and twist. Place on ungreased cookie sheet; curve top of cookie down to form handle of cane.

Bake 9 to 12 minutes or until set and very light brown. Immediately sprinkle candy mixture over cookies. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes

Keeping Christ in Christmas

Family Home Evening Lesson
“Keeping Christ in Christmas”

Opening Song: “Have a Very Merry Christmas” (Children’s Song Book # 51)

Opening Prayer: Child

Lesson: Mommy

Keeping Christ in Christmas:

Ask your children what Christmas is: (let them answer without prompting, ie. Presents, Santa, etc.)

Read: 3 Ne. 14:12 Therefore, all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them, for this is the law and the prophets.

Print out and read “A Sharing Christmas”

Talk about the true meaning of Christmas. Show picture 201 and 202 from the gospel art kit.

Talk about your family traditions that keep Christ in Christmas.

Talk about some things that you can do as a family that will bring the True Spirit of Christmas into your homes.

Read the words to “He Sent His Son” (Children’s Song Book # 34)

Sing: “He Sent His Son” (Children’s Song Book # 34)

Suggested Activity:
Give each member of the family a few strips of paper. Have each person choose 2-5 things that they can give of themselves before Christmas that can then be given as gifts to Jesus (ie. Make their bed so Mommy doesn’t have to, or pick up toys for their brother or sister, make Christmas cards for their friends, grandparents or neighbors, etc). Make a Christ Ornament for your Christmas tree by mounting a small picture of Christ on some nice paper and if possible put a little pocket on the back so that once you have finished doing the service gifts you can place the strip of paper in the pocket and give that gift to Christ. Keep extra strips of paper so if they finish the ones they have already made they can make more. After opening your presents on Christmas morning take your Christ ornament down and read aloud all the gifts that your family has given to Christ this season.

Closing Song: “Away in a Manger” (Children’s Song Book # 42)

Closing Prayer: Daddy

Treat: Rolo Pretzel Turtles
These are an easy and very kid friendly treat to make that you can use as one of your gifts to Christ. Make a few batches of these and find someone in your ward or neighborhood that your family can make these sweet treats for. They really are good and easy!!!! I made them with my 2 ½ year old last Christmas for her teacher and they were great!!!

A Spiritual Advent

Family Home Evening Lesson
Spiritual Advent Ideas

Opening Song: The Nativity Song ( Children's Song Book #52 )

Opening Prayer: Child

Lesson: Mommy

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-2
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem.
Saying where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east and are come to worship him.

Just as the wise men spent a long time finding Jesus we also wait with excitement and count down the days until Christmas.

Lesson:
Explain that the first FHE in December is also the First day of December and that we are going to begin counting down until Christmas. It is more important to count down the days until the birth of Jesus, than to think about what presents we are waiting for. Jesus's Birthday is the real reason we celebrate Christmas. You could also have the children make a "present they are going to give Jesus" this Christmas. Have a special box for children to put in a drawing of something they are going to give Jesus this year, or write down their ideas on pieces of paper and put into box. These 'gifts' can be the first you open Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning.

Activities:
Printable Nativity Advent Calendar This beautiful printable is available in both black and white and already fully colored. Each day a new "character" is added.

Printable Nativity "Go Fish" game

Printable Advent Calendar from The Friend Magazine

Other Advent Ideas

Closing Song: Picture a Christmas ( Children's Song Book #50 )

Closing Prayer: Daddy

Treat:
Have some little candy/chocolate near your advent calendar for children to have during the month

Have a birthday cake to celebrate Jesus's Birthday (that is coming ;)

Giving Thanks

Family Home Evening Lesson
“Giving Thanks”
(Adapted from “Sharing Time: I Am Glad for Many Things,” Friend, Nov 2002)

Opening Song: “I Am Glad for Many Things” (Children’s Song Book # 151)

Opening Prayer: Child

Lesson: Mommy

Giving Thanks:

Read Alma 37:37

Talk to your family about what it means to “let thy heart be full of thanks unto God”.

Read “Counting Blessings” By Marianne Wilson McKnight, Friend, Nov 2000
One day, I started writing down My blessings one by one. I filled both sides of seven sheets And still did not get done.
I wrote down, “friends and family, And legs that run and hop, A cozy bed and clothes to wear, And, of course, my mom and pop.”
I’m grateful for so many things— For sunsets, trees, and rain, For eyes to see and ears to hear, For being free from pain.
I wrote the name of Jesus down— I’m thankful most for Him— Then added, “scriptures, music, love, And my new puppy, Tim.”
And now whenever I feel down And don’t know what to do, I get my blessings notebook out And add a page or two.


Talk to your family about some of the things that you are thankful for and why.


Sing: “I'm Thankful to Be Me” (Children’s Song Book # 11)

Suggested Activities:
Blessings Picture Sheet Sharing Time: “I Have Many Blessings,” Friend, Nov 1989
Blessings Finger Scenes Sharing Time: “I Am Glad for Many Things,” Friend, Nov 2002)
Thanks and Giving Trees (you could have your family fill these out all week long and share them with each other on Thanksgiving Day).

Closing Song: “Thank Thee for Everything” (Children’s Song Book # 10)

Closing Prayer: Daddy

Treat:
Make Sugar Cone Cornucopias

I Am Thankful For My Home

Opening Song: "Home" (Children’s Song Book # 192)

Opening Prayer: Daddy

Lesson: Mommy “I Am Thankful for My Home” (adapted from the primary 1 manual: lesson 31)


What do you think it would be like if your home was in the water? What might happen if your home was in a tree?

Explain that animals and insects live in many different kinds of homes. People also live in different kinds of homes.

Show picture 1-61, Exodus from Nauvoo.

Story: Tell about the early members of the Church who built a city called Nauvoo. They worked hard to build their homes and a beautiful temple. But some people around Nauvoo did not like the Church members and forced them to leave. The Church members traveled with only the belongings they could fit in covered wagons. Because the covered wagons were small, many of the children had to leave their toys behind. Some of the people lived in their covered wagons and in tents for a long time.

Why would it be hard to live in a covered wagon or tent?

Activity: Have the children stand and do the following action verse:
The pioneer children walked and talked (walk in place);
Then they played games and skipped and hopped (hop or jump in place).
When it was night, stars sparkled and gleamed (close and open hands);
Inside the wagons they slept and dreamed (close eyes, lay head on hands).


Activity: Have the children pantomime some things they can do to help keep their homes neat and clean, such as picking up their toys, sweeping the floor, and folding and putting away their clothes.

Describe a situation in which he or she could be a good helper in the home. Ask the child what he or she would do to help in that situation. Use the following examples or make up your own situations to fit your child:

You accidentally spilled a glass of water on the floor. What should you do?

You played with your blocks all afternoon. Now it is time to eat. What should you do with your blocks?

Your mother is in a hurry to get dinner on the table. She needs someone to set the table before the family can eat. What could you do?

Your clothes are washed and neatly folded. What should you do with them now?

You have been playing outside and your shoes are covered with mud. What should you do before you come into the house?

Your bed is messed up when you get out of it in the morning. What should you do to it?

Encourage the children to talk about things they do to help keep their homes neat and clean. Tell the children how you work to keep your home neat and clean.

Explain that the kind of home we live in is not important. We might live in a large house, a small house, an apartment, a tent, or a boat. The important thing is that our homes are places where family members love each other. Tell about your own home and what you do to make it a loving place.

Why do you like to be at home?

How do you know your family loves you?

Closing Song: “Sing Your Way Home” (Children’s Song Book # 193)

Closing Prayer: Mommy


Craft Ideas: Folding House: Mount the folding house and hearts on a heavier piece of paper or lightweight cardboard, and color them. Cut out the house and the slot in the roof. Fold along the dotted lines to create a box house, and glue where indicated. Cut out the hearts. Begin with an empty house each morning. During the day, each time you remember to show your love for a family member, slip a heart through the slot in the roof. At the end of the day, open the lid of your box house and see how many hearts you have collected. Start over each day and try to increase the number of hearts you place in your house. Share this activity with your family, and see how many hearts you can collect together. (Make more hearts as needed.) -From June 1996 Friend

Treat: Making Jesus's first home: Gingerbread Nativity at Fun Recipes

God Created Animals

Opening Song: The World Is So Big, Children’s songbook #235 (follow link to hear)

Opening Prayer: Child

Scripture: Genesis 1:25

And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

Lesson: Daddy (Adapted from Primary 1: Lesson 12)

Show picture of the creation with animals.(GAPK #100) Ask the children to point out and name the animals they recognize. Ask who created the animals. Explain that Heavenly Father and Jesus created them on the 6^th day of creation.

Read Genesis 1:24-25: “And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.”

If you have a globe you can point out where different animals live. Or you can print off a picture of the world to talk about it. Talk about the different sea creatures and land creatures, which ones live in deserts and which ones live in rain forests, etc.

Heavenly Father gave us stewardship over the animals. Explain that stewardship means that we are to care for the animals. Talk about how we treat animals, especially any pets you have in particular. Now might be a good time to reinforce caring for your pets when it comes to feeding them, taking them on walks, playing with them or keeping their cages clean.

Show some milk and eggs and ask which animals produce them. Talk about the fact that Heavenly Father created animals for food. If you hunt, you can show pictures of you on a hunting trip and talk about how we only hunt to eat (unless you feel differently…).

Activities:

• Gather stuffed animals you have around the house and have the children name the animals and make their respective sounds. Encourage them to pretend to be different animals, make sure to join them on the floor and become your own.

• Sing “Old MacDonald Had a Farm"
• 
  
• Make animals out of play doh
  

• Print “Book of Mormon Animals” from the August 2008 Friend (pages 34 & 35) for coloring.

Closing Song: My Heavenly Father Loves Me, (Children’s songbook #228)

Closing Prayer: Child

Treat Ideas:

Animal Crackers and Goldfish!

Animal Toast

1 loaf sliced bread of choice
6 oz. frozen concentrated orange juice, thawed, undiluted
Cinnamon
(Animal shaped cookie cutters)

Cut animal shapes with cutters from the bread slices. Dip each cut out into concentrated orange juice; place on cookie sheet. Place in preheated oven at 250 degrees for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with cinnamon.

Polar Bear Paw Prints

Material Needed: Pear Halves, Sliced bananas, vanilla yogurt, shredded coconut, Small paper plate

Place pear half cut side up on plate, have children use fingers/spoon to cover pear with vanilla yogurt. Place 3 round slices of bananas at top of pear (to resemble a paw print). Again cover banana with yogurt. Sprinkle shredded coconut around paw print on the plate and there is your Polar Bear Paw Print. Yum-yum!!

Following the Footsteps of Jesus

Family Home Evening Lesson
“Follow the Footsteps of Jesus”

Opening Song: "I'm trying to be like Jesus" (Childrens Song Book #78)

Opening Prayer: Child

Lesson: Mommy

Following the footsteps of Jesus:

Print out some footprints on paper. Stick them on the floor in a line. Next to each set of footprints lay a picture from the Gospel art Picture Kit. (You can find them here if you don't have them at home: Baby Jesus, Boyhood of Jesus, Baptism of Jesus, Jesus Healing, Jesus Praying, Jesus on the Cross, Jesus in Heaven ) You will make about 8 steps. In order, lay a picture of Jesus as a baby, As a child with Joseph, getting baptised, healing the sick, Praying,On the Cross, and Asending into heaven.

Have each child walk on the footsteps. At each stage say " As Jesus was born, so were you", "Jesus was a child, as you are too" "Jesus was baptised and you will be too when you are 8", "Jesus helped the sick and you will too in your life", "Jesus Prays just like you", "Jesus died and one day you will too", "Jesus went to heaven to be with heavenly father and one day you will too".

At the end of the footsteps I had a plate of treats to be their reward in heaven for making it through the footsteps of life.


Closing Song: “I'll walk with you" (Childrens SongBook #140)

Closing Prayer: Daddy

Treat:
Brownies/chocolates to be waiting at the end of the step walk

Peanut Butter Foosteps found at Fun Recipes

I Have a Testimony

Family Home Evening Lesson
“I Have a Testimony”
(Adapted from “Sharing Time: I have a Testimony of Jesus Christ,” Dec. 1991 Friend)

Opening Song: “The Church of Jesus Christ” (Children’s Song Book # 77)

Opening Prayer: Child

Lesson: Mommy

I Have a Testimony:

Read 1 John 5:10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself.

Tell the story about how Jenny gained a testimony from “Sharing Time: I have a Testimony of Jesus Christ,” Dec. 1991 Friend

Talk about how building your testimony is like building a building. It is built "brick by brick". "One brick could stand for having a testimony of the importance of attending church; another brick, a testimony of the Book of Mormon; and yet another brick, a testimony of prayer."

Get some blocks out and build a testimony tower using the worksheet at the end of the “Sharing Time” lesson. Fill in the worksheet together and show them how a testimony can be built “brick by brick”.

Make the “I Can Gain a Testimony at Church” cards. Print them out on card stock and color them. Punch Holes where indicated and tie them with string so you can flip them over and talk about each card. (Sharing Time: When I Go to Church,” Oct. 1991 Friend)

When you have talked about what the words of this song are saying you can sing it together as a family.

Sing: “When I go to Church” (Children’s Song Book # 157)

Practice bearing your testimonies. Give each member of your family the chance to bear their own testimony and help them if it is needed.

Talk about the upcoming Fast and Testimony meeting and let them know that if they feel the spirit that they are welcome to get up and bear their testimony for the ward.

Closing Song: “Search, Ponder, and Pray” (Children’s Song Book # 109)

Closing Prayer: Daddy

Treat: Make Rice Crispy Treats and cut them into squares beforehand. As you are serving them place each one down on a platter and mention one thing that was said in one of the testimonies. Make sure to include at least one point from each family member’s testimony. Then talk about how we as a family can help to strengthen each other through our testimonies.

Marriage and Eternal Families

Marriage and Eternal Families

Opening Song: "Families Can Be Together Forever" (Children’s Songbook #188)

Opening Prayer: Child

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:11

Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.

Lesson: Mommy (adapted from Sharing Time: My Family, The Friend February 2004)

Show The Family: A Proclamation to the World. Explain that the prophet and apostles wrote this so we would know what Heavenly Father and Jesus want us to know about families. Read the first two lines of paragraph s even, “The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan.” Help the children understand that “ordained of God” means Heavenly Father designed marriage and family not just as an earthly union, but one that will endure forever.

Display a picture of the temple.(or use #501 or #502 from Gospel Art Picture Kit) Explain that we get married in the temple for eternity. Emphasize the importance of marriage being between MAN and WOMAN and that they become Daddies and Mommies.

Show pictures from your wedding day and explain that you were married in the temple (or talk about your family goal to be sealed in the temple if you haven’t been yet). Or display #609 from GAPK. Tell your children of your desires for them to one day get married in the temple. Bear testimony of Jesus and his sacrifice making eternal life and temple marriage possible.

Activities:

• Finger puppets from Behold your Little Ones: Nursery Manua l: Print this worksheet have children color page, then cut out and tape finger puppets of family. (The fact that they became finger puppets was what made this magic) Then recite the following activity verse and invite the children to join you:

This is Mother. (hold up hand; point to thumb)
This is Father. (point to index finger)
This is Brother tall. (point to middle finger)
This is Sister. (point to ring finger)
This is Baby. (point to little finger)
Oh, how we love them all. (hold both hands to chest)

• Build a temple with blocks. Pretend that stuffed animals are going to go get married there. (This one was a big hit)
• Play the Families are Forever (to the tune of the Farmer in the Dell):Can be adapted to family size (The kids liked this one too)

In a circle or line sing:

(Daddy stands in the middle with picture of temple) Fam'lies are forever, Fam'lies are forever, hi-ho the temple-o, Fam'lies are forever

(Daddy takes Mommy’s hand) The husband takes a wife, the husband takes a wife, hi-ho the marry-o the husband takes a wife.

(Parents take child’s hand) Then they have a child, then they have a child, hi- ho A fam’ly-o, then they have a child.

(Parents take next child’s hand) And baby makes four, and baby makes four, hi-ho A fam'ly-o, and baby makes four.

Closing Song: "A Happy Family" (Children’s songbook #198a)

Closing Prayer: Daddy

Treat Ideas:

• Gingerbread man and woman. Make gingerbread or sugar cookie men and women, have children pair them up. Then frost white for wearing white in the temple. If you don't have time for cookies, use cookie cutters to make men and women out of toast. Have children pair them up. Then sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
• Marshmallow temples. Just make a temple with your marshmallows. Big marshmallows might work better:

Parable of The Sower and the Seed

Family Home Evening Lesson
Sower and the Seed

Opening Song: "All Things Bright and Beautiful" Children's Song Book # 231
Opening Prayer: Child

Scripture: Matthew 13:3-8

Lesson: Mommy
There was a man who planted some seeds. Some seeds fell on the hard ground and the birds ate them up. Some seeds fell on stony ground and could not grow. Some seeds fell in the thorns which choked them. Some fell in the hot sun and were burnt. Most importantly some fell on good ground and grew and bought forth fruit. It is important that we are good and be like the seed that fell in the nice ground. That we grow up big and strong and do good things. (You could have some seeds and act out each stage - A paper sun, some stones, some soft dirt)
Image of Sower

Activity:
Plant some seeds in fertile ground/hard ground to compare
A seed and fruit matching activty
Sower Coloring Sheet from DLTK
I'm a little seed Poem
Little Seed Song

Closing Song: "Little Seeds Lie Fast Asleep" Children's Song Book # 243

Closing Prayer: Child

Treat Ideas:
Any Whole Grain treats - whole wheat waffles, bread, cookies
Multi Grain Bread
Sunflower Seeds/ Trail Mix with seeds in it

Following the Liahona

Family Home Evening Lesson
Following the Liahona

Opening Song: Nephi's Courage Children's Songbook #120

Opening Prayer: Child

Scripture: 1 Nephi 16:10,16, 26-29

Lesson: Mommy

Lehi woke one morning as it was time to depart into the wilderness. Outside his tent door was a Liahona. See images here.
It was a round ball of curious workmanship made of fine brass. Within the ball were two spindles and one pointed the way they should go like a compass (show compass if you have one) The ball worked according to their faith and diligence. So if Nephi and his family were GOOD the liahona worked.
The Holy Ghost is like our personal compass. We can pray and ask to know where we should go and what we should do.

Activity:
Using Styrofoam balls and gold paint create your own liahona
Excellent Lesson Ideas from Lillies Lane
Make clues to tell children where to go around the house - finding something special
Talk about how the Holy Ghost is our personal liahona to lead us
Liahona Images
Set up a play tent and pretend to find your way in the wilderness

Closing Song:Dare to do Right Children's Song Book #158

Treat:
Gold foil wrapped Lindt chocolate ball truffles (or similar)
Apricot Balls Recipe nuts can be omited
Trail Mix (wilderness food)
Back a little bag of food to carry while acting out being in the wilderness

The Ten Commandments

Family Home Evening Lesson
The Ten Commandments

Opening Song: "Keep the Commandments" Children's Song Book #146

Opening Prayer: Child

Scripture: Exodus 20:3-17

Lesson: Daddy

The Ten Commandments were given to Moses for the people of Israel to live by. The commandments are still important for us to live by today. Jesus said people should live the commandments and the prophet President Monson wants us to do the same today.
The Ten Commandments tell us that we should:
Worship God only
No taking Lord's name in vain
Keep the Sabbath day holy (list how to do this)
Honor thy mother and father
Shalt not kill
Shalt not steal
Shalt not lie

We need to try hard to keep God's commandments. They are important to live to be a good person.

Activity:

Excellent Moses Activites at Danielles Place (scroll down)
Make a "mountain" to act out the story of Moses receiving the commandments
Play Simon Says
Mark out roads with masking tape and make little road signs. Have children "follow the laws/rules"

Closing Song: "Choose the Right Way" Children's Song Book #160

Closing Prayer: Child

Treat Ideas:

Flat bread and/or food from Biblical times
Make Commandment tablets by using frosting/edible pens (black colour) to write on crackers

Feeling the Holy Ghost

Family Home Evening Lesson
Feeling the Holy Ghost

Opening Song: "The Holy Ghost" Children's Song Book # 105

Opening Prayer: Child

Scripture: D&C 8:2-3

Lesson: Mommy

In the Doctrine and Covenants chapter 8 (show scriptures to child) Oliver Cowdery is told he has a gift given to him (have a wrapped box for visual for child) This is the Gift of the Holy Ghost. This gift will help him translate the Gold Plates so we can read The Book of Mormon that we have today. The Lord tells him
"I will tell you in your mind and in your heart by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart"
Heavenly Father and Jesus speak to us through the Holy Ghost. We know when we are doing the right things because if feels right in our mind and we feel a warm feeling in our hearts. We can use the Gift of the Holy Ghost to tell us what we should do when we are not sure.

Activity:

Holy Ghost Printable Booklet from Mormon share
Blindfold Game from LDS Splash
Lead small Children around the house blindfolded speaking softly in front of them the way to walk
Extra Lesson Ideas from Mormon Share

Closing Song: "The Still Small Voice" Children's Song Book # 106

Closing Prayer: Child

Treat Ideas:

Candy/Cookies/any treat inside a gift box or wrapped up

You could make a few wrapped treats and ask child for suggestions on who to pass the "gift" to? - neighbor, friends, family

Invisible Food

Taste Test - Have children blindfolded or eyes closed and get them to try and guess the anoyomous food you give to them

Jesus Heals the Sick

Family Home Evening Lesson
Jesus Heals the Sick

Opening Song: "I'm trying to be like Jesus Children's Song Book #78

Opening Prayer: Child

Scripture: Matthew 9:35

Lesson: Mommy

"And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, preaching the gospel and healing every sickness and every disease."(See Matthew 9:35) Who did Jesus Help to make better? (Blind, Paralyzed, Leprosy)

From Karen Ashton, “Sharing Time: Look, Feel, and Help,” Friend, Jul 1996, 44
When Jesus lived on earth, He healed the sick. He fed the hungry and blessed the children. The Savior was often a friend to those who had no other friends. When He looked at others, He used His spiritual eyes and His heart. In this way He could understand how people felt and what they needed. He helped many, many people. He is the best example of someone who looked with His spiritual eyes, felt and understood with His heart, and then helped (see below for matching handouts)

Activity:

Look, Feel and Help from LDS.Org - Printouts

See Danielle's Place for great activity ideas using bandaids and a bandage relay game.

Leper Dolls Another activity from Danielle's Place where you make a paper doll and wrap him in bandages.

Closing Song: "I feel my Savior's Love" Children's Song Book #74

Closing Prayer: Child

Treat Ideas:
Eyeball Cupcakes

lychee eyeball
1 canned grade AA lychee in syrup, drained
1/4 teaspoon cherry, strawberry or raspberry preserves
1 blueberry (you can use frozen)
Take lychee and fill with preserves. Place blueberry, blossomed end facing out, into cavity and skewer.

Heart Cookies

Lehi's Vision/Iron Rod

Family Home Evening Lesson
Iron Rod/ Lehi's Vision

Opening Song:"Dare to do Right" Children's Song Book #158

Opening Prayer: Child

Scripture: This lesson based on 1 Nephi 8

Lesson: Mommy

Lehi gathered his family together and said "I have seen a vision" I was in darkness and prayed to God and then I beheld a tree whose fruit made people very happy. I went and had some of the fruit. I wanted my family to share the fruit so I called them over to have some. While looking for my family I saw a river, then a rod of iron on a straight path leading right to the tree. Some people were lost in the mist of darkness and other where in a large building laughing at those who were eating the fruit. The fruit is the love of God and we have to try hard in our life to walk along the path and hold on the the iron rod which is the gospel. Lehi had a vision of how we need to live and what can happen to us if we don't do the right thing.

Beautiful Tree of Life Paintings

Activity:
Print already coloured Tree of Life Images Tell the whole story using pictures!

Paint your own Tree of Life vision Mural

Act out the story in your lounge room - make an iron rod to lead to some delcious fruit hanging on a makeshift tree

Other Lesson ideas links:
Tree of Life FHE Lesson from families.com
Sugar Doodle Lesson Ideas

Closing Song:"Book of Mormon Stories" Children's Songbook #118

Closing Prayer: Child

Treat:
Fluffy Sky Drink you could use this idea to make a "mist of darkness"

Have some delicious treats hanging off some branches

Fruit or Toffee/caramel Apples

Tower of Babel

Family Home Evening Lesson
How did all the different languages in the world come to be?

Opening Song:"Children all over the world" Children's Song Book #16

Opening Prayer: Mommy

Scripture: This lesson based on Genesis 11:1-9

Lesson: Daddy

The whole world was of one language. The people began to gather in place called Shinar in a plain (big flat area). They said let us make brick, and slime for mortar. They said lets try and make a tower, that will reach heaven, and make a name for ourselves. The Lord was unhappy with what they were choosing to do. He had blessed them that they had the same language and could work together, but they had too much pride and wanted to be known for building a tower to heaven, this is not being humble. The Lord came down and confounded their language. He changed it so everyone spoke different languages and could not talk to each other. This is how many of the different languages around the world came to be.
Pictures found Here and Here

Activity:

Song - B-A-B-E-L from Suite101
Sing the following song to the tune of B-I-N-G-O:

There was a tower that grew so tall
And Babel was its Name-O
B-A-B-E-L, B-A-B-E-L, B-A-B-E-L
And Babel was its Name-O
God had a plan for this tower
And Babel was its Name-O
B-A-B-E-L, B-A-B-E-L, B-A-B-E-L
And Babel was its Name-O
He mixed up all the languages
So no one could build the tower
B-A-B-E-L, B-A-B-E-L, B-A-B-E-L
And Babel was its Name-O

Teach the children to say Hello in different languages get the big list from WikiHow

Have a building block competition/game. Get all the blocks or any building material and get children to build a tower so big until it falls down

Color in a tower of babel picture found at DLTK's Growing together

Find great activities and Ideas at Danielle's Place

Closing Song:"We are different" Children's Song Book #263

Closing Prayer: Child

Treat:
Build a tower with graham crackers and peanut butter/mashmallow spread from DLTK's Growing Together alternatively use pretzels to make a building

Use Skewers and diced fruit to build tall fruit "buildings"

Build a tower out of mini muffins and icing

Missionary Work

Family Home Evening Lesson
Missionary work

Opening Song: “I hope they call me on a Mission” ( Children’s Song Book #169 )

Opening Prayer: Child

Scripture: This lesson based on Doctrine and Covenants 4

Lesson: Mommy

God said to Joseph Smith in the Doctrine and Covenants that missionary work is a marvellous work. He also says that people are waiting to hear the word of God. We can all be missionaries by sharing the gospel with our friends. When we are 19 (or 21 for girls) we can serve missions for the church and be missionaries for 2 years. God says he loves those who are his missionaries. His missionaries need faith, hope, charity and love. WE can try to have these things in our lives to prepare us to be missionaries.

Activity:

Make little missionary badges out of black card. Write on Elder or Sister ______ in white crayon/pencil with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on it. Pin?stick on to child for the duration of FHE.

Practice knocking on door and sharing the gospel/ pretending to be missionaries.

Missionary Activity- make cookies for non member friends, deliver them as a family.

Write your families testimonies in a Book of Mormon to give to the full-time Missionaries. Ideas from Mormon Chic

Relate Missionary work to being a fisher of men. Make a fish and magnet game and make a small pole and string with magnet as the fishing pole.


Closing Song: “I want to be a Missionary Now” ( Children’s Song Book #168 )

Closing Prayer: Daddy

Treat:

Bake a treat for friends or neighbors

Make a 3 ingredient/easy to make dish and teach child about learning easy to cook food to help when they are on their mission some day.

Sermon on the Mount

Family Home Evening Lesson
Sermon on the Mount

Opening Song: “Choose the Right Way” ( Children’s Song Book #160 )

Opening Prayer: Child

Scripture: This lesson based on Matthew 5

Lesson: Daddy

Jesus fasted 40 days and 40 nights, then he began his ministry. One of the first things he taught was called the Sermon on the Mount. (Show Gosple Art Picture Kit #212 ) - He and the apostles went up a mountain and this is what Jesus taught - To be humble, be sad with those who are sad - and give them a hug or help them, look for good things and read the scriptures, forgive others and don't fight, be kind, and have a good heart. Then he said You are a light and you have to be an example to others - share what you know to be true and don't hide it. We follow Jesus and we have to be good and show others.

Activity:
Print out key words from the sermon on the mount - Kind, Forgive, Good, Meek, etc and have child stand on a "mountain" (couch,pile of pillows - what ever you build) and have them hold the paper and say I will be..... Kind... etc if you have Childrens Song you could play "I am trying to be like Jesus" in the background.

Give each person a candle, light one candle and then light the next candle by having them touch - pass on the flame to each candle and say this is an example how we pass goodness on to eachother. *only for children you can trust with fire* (our children have done this and loved it , but they are old enough to know not to touch)

Closing Song: “Love is Spoken Here” ( Children’s Song Book #190 )

Closing Prayer: Mommy

Treat:
Heart shaped candy
Make Pancakes/cookies/cake/jello in heart shape
Serve type of food from Biblical times - flat bread, olives, fruit
Serve NO FOOD as Jesus fasted 40 days (hee hee ... is that too mean??)
Jello Hearts

Use half the amount of water suggested on the packet. Set Jello in a flat dish. When set use heart cookie cutter to cut shapes out.

The Brass Plates Teach us about Geneology and Record Keeping

Family Home Evening Lesson
The Brass Plates Teach us about Geneology and Record Keeping

Opening Song: “Book of Mormon Stories” ( Children’s Song Book #118 )

Opening Prayer: Child

Lesson: Mommy

Scripture: This lesson based on 1 Nephi 3-6

Lesson.
Lehi tells his sons to go back to Jerusalem to get the Plates of Brass. The Brass Plates had their Family History in it. This is a list of all their relatives like grandparents and great grandparents. Lehi didn’t want his people to forget their history. Nephi gets the plates from Laban ( you may tell child if you feel it is appropriate how he does this) and brings them to his father. Lehi searches the plates - The books of Moses – they are like scripture to him – they tell of Adam and Eve, A record of the Jews, and their geneology. They knew it was wisdom from God that they should have these plates to help them preserve their language

Activity
This story teaches us two things. That our family history is important and that we should keep records – write things down for our future relatives.
Apple Family Tree
Teddy Bear Tree <
Wire Photo Tree *If you are crafty*

Give a journal/notebook to each child – ideas include:

Draw/write the best things that happened during the week

Find out about a Color Journal Here Each night they choose a “color” of their day and they do a scribble/drawing

Short Term Journals - write about experiences of a certain time in your life - A Summer Journal, A holiday Journal about somewhere you are going, Trip to Grandparents etc

Use quotes from Elder Eyrings Talk “O Remember, Remember” Nov conference 2007 and glue into front of the journals (good treat for you parents)
"Did God send a message that was just for me? Did I see His hand in my life or the lives of my children? I will do that. And then I will find a way to preserve that memory for the day that I, and those that I love, will need to remember how much God loves us and how much we need Him"

Our family uses regular school notebooks for our children’s journal. We use 5 mins of our FHE for them to draw their favourite things that happened during the week, and we right the words underneath. This is a great introduction to Journal Keeping and it only needs to be done weekly and it can be used to “lengthen” out FHE.

Closing Song: “Family History” ( Children’s Song Book #94 )

Closing Prayer: Mommy

Treat
If you use the apple chart have apple type desserts
- Apple pie, Apple Crumble, Toffee apples

Healthy treat - Apples/Fruit cut into pieces or dried Apple

Edible Paint on Bread – write on bread for a fun journal/ family history example using milk and food coloring

Noah and the Ark

Family Home Evening Lesson
Noah and The Ark

Opening Song: “Follow the Prophet ( Children’s Song Book #110 )

Opening Prayer: Child

Lesson: Mommy

Scripture: This lesson based on Genesis 6 - 9

Lesson.
Noah ( Gospel Art Picture Kit Picture #102 ) was chosen by God to build an Ark. The people on earth were very bad. The Lord wanted to flood the earth. Noah and his family listened to God, because of this they were saved. Noah had to work hard to build the ark – it was very big. Two of every animal had to fit inside. ( Gospel Art Picture Kit Picture #103 ) Ask children to find toy animals (that you have previously hidden all around the house) and bring them to the ark (I used my fisher price plastic ark – if you don’t have similar make one out of cardboard or have a drawn picture stuck on the wall, or a feltboard) Have children rock the boat while you talk about how long the ark was in the water. Noah and his family and the animals were looked after by God and landed on dry ground eventually. God put a rainbow in the sky as a promise that he would not flood the earth again.

Action Song
Noah built an ark so big (outstretch arms);
He knew just what to do (place finger on side of forehead).
He hammered, sawed, and measured (make motions as indicated)
As he’d been commanded to (nod head).
And Noah called his family (beckon with arm)
To march onto the boat (march quietly in place)—
And, two by two, the animals (hold up two fingers)
Came aboard to float (make floating motion with hands).
The heavy dark clouds gathered (place hands above head),
The rain began to fall (wiggle fingers imitating rain)—
And all the earth was covered (make a sweeping motion with hand and arm);
There was no land at all (turn head from side to side).
The ark just floated safely (make a floating motion with hands)
Many a day and night (put hands together on one side of face),
Until the sun came out again (place arms in a circle above head)
And shone so warm and bright.
And all the water dried right up (cross arms across chest);
Dry land did appear (open arms and extend hands).
Noah’s family gave their thanks (bow head and fold arms)
That God was always near.
(Adapted from a verse by Beverly Spencer.)


Activity
There are many Noah themed activities on the internet. Here is a selection for you to choose from
Ark Coloring In Picture
Printable Ark and Story window
Interactive Noah and Ark Songs
Hidden Animal Products in a Bag Game
Paper bag Animal puppets

Closing Song: “Quickly I’ll Obey” ( Children’s SongBook #197
Closing Prayer: Mommy

Treat
Marshmallow Animals Using different sized marshmallows, raisins, toothpicks, and other items
Animal Themed Party Food Ideas
Animal crackers
Make your own sugar cookies and use animal shaped cookie cutters

Joseph Smith and the Doctrine and Covenants

Family Home Evening Lesson
Joseph Smith and the Doctrine and Covenants

Opening Song: “Search Ponder and Pray ( Children’s Song Book #109 )

Opening Prayer: Child

Lesson: Daddy

Scripture: This lesson based on Doctrine and Covenants 1. esp. v 37-39

Lesson.
Joseph Smith ( Gospel Art Picture Kit Picture #401 )was chosen by God to be the first prophet in the latter days. He translated the Book of Mormon for us. He also gave us other scriptures called the Doctrine and Covenants.(show) The first chapter tells us that we need to search the scriptures. What does this mean? It says the scriptures are true and the promises in them will happen. It also says that the prophets words are the same as Gods words. He tells the prophet what to say. God tells us that what Joseph wrote in the Doctrine and Covenants (the record) is true. And today what he tells President Thomas S Monson is true too. We are so glad that God gave us true scriptures to help us live the right way.

Activity
Make a magnifying glass from here (or use a real one if you have) for child to find written scriptures around the house or objects from around the house. Alternatively use this alphabet game to collect items that match with the Doctrine and Covenants

D & C lesson for older children with activity from Sugar Doodle

Closing Song: “An Angel came to Joseph Smith” ( Children’s Song Book #86 )

Closing Prayer: Mommy

Treat:

Question mark shaped cake see instructions here

Or

Bake brownies, cut up into squares and using icing/frosting or powdered sugar write a letter on each square that put together spells a word – such as scripture, prophet, Joseph Smith, D&C.


Brownie recipe courtesy of CuisiNie

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces, plus more for pan
1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
8 ounces semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1 1/4 cups sugar
3 large eggs

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brush a 9-inch square baking pan with butter. Line bottom and two sides with a strip of parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on the two sides. Butter paper, and set pan aside. In a small bowl, whisk flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
2. Place butter and chocolate in a large heatproof bowl set over (not in) a saucepan of gently simmering water. Heat, stirring occasionally, until smooth, 2 to 3 minutes; remove bowl from pan. Add sugar; mix to combine. Add eggs, and mix to combine. Add flour mixture; mix just until moistened (do not overmix). Transfer batter to prepared pan; smooth top.

Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, 50 to 60 minutes. Cool in pan for 30 minutes. Using paper overhang, lift brownies out of pan; transfer to a rack to cool completely (still on paper). On a cutting board, using a dampened serrated knife, cut into 16 squares. Store in an airtight container at room temperature, up to 2 days.

John, Jesus and Baptism

Family Home Evening Lesson
John, Jesus and Baptism

Opening Song: “Baptism” ( Children’s Song Book #100 )

Opening Prayer: Daddy

Lesson: Mommy

Scripture: This lesson based on Matthew 3. Have Scriptures for visual.

Lesson.
John the Baptist taught in the wilderness. He told the people to repent. He wore clothes made of camel hair and ate locusts and honey. (Allow children to put on a wool coat/jacket or something similar) Show picture of John Gospel Art Picture Kit #207 Jesus came to John to be baptised. John was surprised. He thought Jesus should baptise him. He knew Jesus was perfect and didn’t think he would need to be baptised. Jesus said it was a commandment from God and he wanted to obey. John baptised Jesus in the Jordan River. The Holy Spirit descended as a dove and God spoke from Heaven saying “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” Show picture of the baptism Gospel Art Picture Kit picture 208

Activity
Do a dove craft. Click here for different dove craft ideas from paper or here for a felt peace dove.



Closing Song: “When I am Baptised” ( Children’s Song Book #103)

Closing Prayer: Child

Treat:
Eat honeycomb. Honeycomb can usually be bought at health food stores or farmers markets, if you can’t get this you could just eat honey, or for sweet treat honeycomb candy, violet crumbles or crunchies or recipe below.

Honey Joys







90g (about 3 Tbs) butter or margarine
1/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon honey
4 cups Kellogg's® Corn Flakes

Preheat oven to 150°C (300ºF).
Line 24 hole patty pan (mini muffin pan) with paper cases.
Melt butter, sugar and honey together in a saucepan until frothy.
Add Kellogg's® Corn Flakes and mix well.
Working quickly spoon into paper patty cases.
Bake in a slow oven 150°C (300ºF) for 10 minutes.
Cool.

*If you like the honey coating double the mixture of honey and sugar - I do.

Recipe from Kellogs website

Lehi's Family and the Gold Plates

Family Home Evening Lesson
Lehi’s Family and the Gold Plates

Opening Song: “Book of Mormon Stories” (Children’s Song Book #118)

Opening Prayer: Daddy

Lesson: Mommy

Scripture: This lesson based on 1 Nephi 1, have scriptures to show child.

Lesson
In the beginning of the Book of Mormon who is the first family? Lehi’s Family. They live in Jerusalem. Nephi says his parents are good. He makes a record about what happens to his family. Lehi tells the people to repent and be good. He is a prophet like our prophet today Pres Thomas S Monson. Nephi is writing this all down for us. The plates (show gospel art picture kit pic #325) become The Book of Mormon (show book) and it is about Jesus visiting the people from the Americas (show Gospel Art Picture Kit pic # 316).

Activity
Turn aluminium foil into some “plates” to write on. Take a large piece of foil and fold in half and half again to make a small “book”. Using a pencil, knitting needle, or the like, write onto the “plates/foil”. Small children can draw on the foil, or you could write out 1 Nephi 1:1.

Closing Song: “The Golden Plates” (Children’s Song Book # 86)

Closing Prayer: Daddy

Treat:
Turn square rectangular cookies into Golden Plates. I used Nice and milk cookies (Australian brands). Graham crackers or similar for USA readers. Make yellow icing/frosting and spread over cookies. Decorate to make words or use licorice or fruit straps to make bookmarks. Eat and Enjoy.

Mothers

Family Home Evening Lesson
Mothers

Opening Song: “Mother Dear,” (Children’s Songbook, p. 206)

Opening Prayer: Mommy

Lesson: Daddy

Scripture:
And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it. (Alma 56:48)

Lesson
Have your family take turns sharing favorite memories about their mother or grandmother. Have each person give a one-sentence description of his or her mother or grandmother and write/draw these on another paper. If you have them, look at photos of the women in your family.

Why do we have mothers? Why are mothers so special? Did Jesus have a mother? (Show gospel Art picture kit picture 242) How did he treat his mother? How can you (child) show your mother you love her? What was yesterday? (Mothers Day) How can we act like it is Mothers Day all year round?

Activity
Write/draw on a heart shape something child/husband will do for mother this coming week.

Closing Song: “The Dearest Names” (Children’s Song Book # 208)

Closing Prayer: Mommy

Treat:
Heart shaped cookies
or MOM shaped cookies, roll dough into long thin rope and shape into letters.

This lesson would have been better in the lead up to Mothers day, but it can't hurt for a little reinforcement after Mothers Day.

click here for a wonderful Mothers FHE lesson for older children, by LDS LIVING

Family Home Evening Charts

Our FHE Chart - made by my Sis in Law


One of the best ways to get organised for Family Home Evening is having a chart. I have browsed the internet and found a few ideas for you to try. Since I didn't find too many printable ones, I might try my hand at drawing some for you.



Wheel Charts
House shape Chart
Daisy chart – good for larger families
Wooden Chart
How to decorate a wall around a FHE chart
Mormon Share Chart Ideas
MormonChic