17 Montessori – Inspired Ether 1-5 Primary Activity Ideas for Children

Here are 17 Montessori-inspired activities to help young children learn the principles in Ether 1-5 from the Book of Mormon:

Activity 1: Building the Tower of Babel – Block Tower

Scripture Inspiration: Ether 1:3-4

1. Materials:
   • Building blocks or Lego bricks
2. Directions:
   • Read Ether 1:3-4, discussing the story of the Tower of Babel.
   • Let the children build a tall tower using blocks or Lego bricks.
   • As they build, discuss why the people built the tower and how they were scattered for not following God’s commandments.
   • Discuss the importance of following God’s guidance.

Activity 2: Family Names – Name Cards

Scripture Inspiration: Ether 1:33-37

1. Materials:
   • Paper or cardstock
   • Markers or crayons
2. Directions:
   • Read Ether 1:33-37, discussing how the Jaredites were recorded by name.
   • Have the children create name cards for each family member, decorating them with drawings or symbols that represent that person.
   • Discuss the importance of knowing and remembering our family members.

Activity 3: Faith in God’s Guidance – Trust Walk

Scripture Inspiration: Ether 1:38-43

1. Materials:
   • Blindfolds
   • Safe area for walking
2. Directions:
   • Read Ether 1:38-43, discussing how the Jaredites trusted God to guide them to a new land.
   • Set up a trust walk where one child is blindfolded and another guides them through a safe area using verbal instructions.
   • Switch roles so everyone has a turn being guided and guiding.
   • Discuss the importance of trusting in God’s guidance.

Activity 4: Prayer and Guidance – Prayer Journal

Scripture Inspiration: Ether 1:34

1. Materials:
   • Small notebooks
   • Pens or crayons
2. Directions:
   • Read Ether 1:34, discussing how Jared asked his brother to pray for guidance.
   • Give each child a small notebook to create a prayer journal.
   • Encourage them to write or draw things they want to pray about or ask God for guidance on.
   • Discuss how prayer helps us seek and receive guidance from God.

Activity 5: Crossing the Waters – Paper Boat Craft

Scripture Inspiration: Ether 2:6

1. Materials:
   • Paper or cardstock
   • Markers, crayons, or stickers
   • A shallow container of water
2. Directions:
   • Read Ether 2:6, discussing how the Jaredites crossed the waters to reach the promised land.
   • Help the children fold paper boats and decorate them with markers or stickers.
   • Float the boats in a shallow container of water and talk about how God helped the Jaredites safely cross the waters.

Activity 6: Building Strong Foundations – Block Building

Scripture Inspiration: Ether 2:7

1. Materials:
   • Building blocks or Lego bricks
2. Directions:
   • Read Ether 2:7, discussing the importance of building strong foundations.
   • Use blocks to build a strong foundation for a tower or structure.
   • Talk about how our faith in Jesus Christ is like a strong foundation that helps us withstand challenges.

Activity 7: God’s Guidance – Compass Craft

Scripture Inspiration: Ether 2:16-17

1. Materials:
   • Paper plates
   • Markers or crayons
   • Paper fasteners
2. Directions:
   • Read Ether 2:16-17, discussing how God guided the Jaredites in building their barges.
   • Help the children create a simple compass by drawing a compass face on a paper plate and attaching a movable arrow with a paper fastener.
   • Discuss how God guides us in our lives, just as He guided the Jaredites.

Activity 8: Light in the Darkness – Glow Jar Craft

Scripture Inspiration: Ether 2:23-24

1. Materials:
   • Small jars with lids
   • Glow-in-the-dark paint or stickers
2. Directions:
   • Read Ether 2:23-24, discussing how the Jaredites needed light in their barges.
   • Help the children decorate jars with glow-in-the-dark paint or stickers.
   • Discuss how Jesus is the light in our lives, guiding us through dark times.

Activity 9: The Power of Prayer – Prayer Rocks

Scripture Inspiration: Ether 3:1-5

1. Materials:
   • Smooth stones
   • Paint or markers
2. Directions:
   • Read Ether 3:1-5, discussing how the brother of Jared prayed for light.
   • Let the children paint or decorate smooth stones to represent prayer rocks.
   • Place the rocks by their beds to remind them to pray each day.

Activity 10: Seeing the Savior – Mirror Craft

Scripture Inspiration: Ether 3:6-13

1. Materials:
   • Small mirrors or reflective paper
   • Markers, stickers, glue
2. Directions:
   • Read Ether 3:6-13, discussing how the brother of Jared saw the Savior.
   • Let the children decorate small mirrors or reflective paper with markers and stickers.
   • Discuss how we can see Jesus in our lives when we have faith and follow Him.

Activity 11: Remembering Covenants – Rainbow Craft

Scripture Inspiration: Ether 3:14

1. Materials:
   • Construction paper in rainbow colors
   • Scissors
   • Glue
   • Markers
2. Directions:
   • Read Ether 3:14, discussing the covenants God makes with His children.
   • Help the children create a rainbow using construction paper strips.
   • Write or draw symbols of covenants on the rainbow.
   • Discuss how God remembers His covenants with us.

Activity 12: Trusting in God’s Plan – Puzzle Activity

Scripture Inspiration: Ether 2:9

1. Materials:
   • Simple puzzles with large pieces
2. Directions:
   • Read Ether 2:9, discussing how the Jaredites had to trust in God’s plan.
   • Let the children work on simple puzzles, discussing how each piece is important to completing the picture, just as trusting in God’s plan is important in our lives.

Activity 13: The Lord’s Protection – Shield Craft

Scripture Inspiration: Ether 3:20

1. Materials:
   • Cardboard or thick paper
   • Markers, paint, or stickers
   • Scissors
2. Directions:
   • Read Ether 3:20, discussing how the Lord protected the brother of Jared.
   • Help the children cut out a shield shape from cardboard.
   • Let them decorate their shields with symbols of faith and protection.
   • Discuss how the Lord protects and watches over us.

Activity 14: The Power of God – Nature Walk

Scripture Inspiration: Ether 4:7

1. Materials:
   • Nature walk checklist
   • Magnifying glass
2. Directions:
   • Read Ether 4:7, discussing the power of God in revealing things to His children.
   • Go on a nature walk with a checklist of things to find (e.g., leaves, flowers, rocks).
   • Use a magnifying glass to observe the details of each item.
   • Discuss how God’s power is shown in the beauty of nature.

Activity 15: Recording Important Events – Personal Journals

Scripture Inspiration: Ether 4:1

1. Materials:
   • Small notebooks or journals
   • Pens or crayons
2. Directions:
   • Read Ether 4:1, discussing how important events were recorded.
   • Give each child a small notebook to create a personal journal.
   • Encourage them to write or draw their thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
   • Discuss the importance of keeping a personal record.

Activity 16: The Light of Christ – Candle Lighting

Scripture Inspiration: Ether 4:12

1. Materials:
   • Small candles or LED candles
2. Directions:
   • Read Ether 4:12, discussing how Christ is the light of the world.
   • Light a candle and observe how it lights up the space.
   • Discuss how Christ’s light guides us and helps us see the way forward.

Activity 17: Building Strong Faith – Block Tower

Scripture Inspiration: Ether 5:4

1. Materials:
   • Building blocks or Lego bricks
2. Directions:
   • Read Ether 5:4, discussing the importance of building faith in Jesus Christ.
   • Use blocks to build a tall tower, representing the strength of faith.
   • Talk about how building our faith helps us stay strong even in difficult times.

Posted By: Lia · In: Featured, Primary