3 Nephi 1-7 Primary Activity Ideas for Children

Here are 16 Montessori-inspired activities to help young children learn the principles in 3 Nephi 1-7 from the Book of Mormon:

Activity 1: Waiting for the Sign – Star Craft

Scripture Inspiration: 3 Nephi 1:21

1. Materials:
   • Construction paper
   • Scissors
   • Glitter, glue, and markers
2. Directions:
   • Read 3 Nephi 1:21, discussing the new star that appeared as a sign of Christ’s birth.
   • Help the children cut out star shapes from construction paper.
   • Let them decorate the stars with glitter and markers.
   • Hang the stars around the house to remind them of the sign of Christ’s birth.

Activity 2: Faith and Patience – Planting Seeds

Scripture Inspiration: 3 Nephi 1:8

1. Materials:
   • Small pots or cups
   • Soil
   • Seeds (flowers or herbs)
   • Water
2. Directions:
   • Read 3 Nephi 1:8, discussing how the people waited in faith for the sign of Christ’s birth.
   • Provide each child with a pot, soil, and seeds. Let them plant the seeds, water them, and place them in a sunny spot.
   • Discuss how the seeds need care and patience to grow, just as the people needed faith and patience while waiting for the sign.

Activity 3: Courage and Faith – Shield Craft

Scripture Inspiration: 3 Nephi 2:12

1. Materials:
   • Cardboard or thick paper
   • Markers, paint, or stickers
2. Directions:
   • Read 3 Nephi 2:12, discussing the courage and faith of the Nephites in facing challenges.
   • Help the children cut out a shield shape from cardboard.
   • Let them decorate their shields with symbols of faith and courage.
   • Talk about how faith and courage help us stand up for what is right.

Activity 4: Trust in God – Trust Walk

Scripture Inspiration: 3 Nephi 1:13

1. Materials:
   • Blindfolds
   • Safe area for walking
2. Directions:
   • Read 3 Nephi 1:13, discussing how the people were told to trust that the sign of Christ’s birth would come.
   • 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 and His guidance.

Activity 5: Obedience – Simon Says Game

Scripture Inspiration: 3 Nephi 1:16-17

1. Materials:
   • None
2. Directions:
   • Read 3 Nephi 1:16-17, focusing on the importance of following God’s instructions.
   • Play a game of “Simon Says” to teach obedience.
   • Explain how following instructions promptly and correctly is important, just as the people needed to obey God’s commandments.

Activity 6: Gratitude – Thankful Tree

Scripture Inspiration: 3 Nephi 1:22

1. Materials:
   • Large paper or cardboard
   • Construction paper leaves
   • Markers and tape
2. Directions:
   • Read 3 Nephi 1:22, discussing the joy and gratitude of the people after the sign appeared.
   • Create a “Thankful Tree” by drawing a large tree on paper or cardboard.
   • Have the children write or draw things they are grateful for on the leaves and tape them to the tree.
   • Discuss how recognizing our blessings helps us stay close to God.

Activity 7: Recognizing Signs – Nature Walk

Scripture Inspiration: 3 Nephi 1:21

1. Materials:
   • Nature walk checklist
   • Magnifying glass
2. Directions:
   • Read 3 Nephi 1:21, discussing the new star that was a sign of Christ’s birth.
   • Go on a nature walk with a checklist of things to find (e.g., different leaves, flowers, rocks).
   • Use a magnifying glass to observe the details of each item.
   • Discuss how we can recognize signs of God’s love in nature.

Activity 8: Building Strong Foundations – Block Tower

Scripture Inspiration: 3 Nephi 3:12

1. Materials:
   • Building blocks
2. Directions:
   • Read 3 Nephi 3:12, discussing how the Nephites prepared and fortified themselves against their enemies.
   • Use building blocks to create a strong tower or wall.
   • Talk about how strong foundations like faith and obedience help us stay strong.

Activity 9: Light in the Darkness – Candle Lighting

Scripture Inspiration: 3 Nephi 1:19

1. Materials:
   • Small candles or LED candles
2. Directions:
   • Read 3 Nephi 1:19, discussing the light that appeared when the sign of Christ’s birth was given.
   • Light a small candle in a dark room and observe how it lights up the space.
   • Discuss how Christ is the light in our lives and helps us find our way even in dark times.

Activity 10: Unity and Cooperation – Team Building Game

Scripture Inspiration: 3 Nephi 2:12-13

1. Materials:
   • Large sheet or blanket
2. Directions:
   • Read 3 Nephi 2:12-13, emphasizing the importance of unity and cooperation among the Nephites.
   • Spread a large sheet or blanket on the floor.
   • Have the children stand around the edges and work together to lift and move the blanket without letting any objects (balls, stuffed animals) fall off.
   • Discuss how unity and working together help us achieve our goals.

Activity 11: Courage – Standing Strong

Scripture Inspiration: 3 Nephi 3:16

1. Materials:
   • Cushions or a low, safe ledge to stand on
2. Directions:
   • Read 3 Nephi 3:16, discussing how the Nephites stood strong against the Gadianton robbers.
   • Create a “fort” using cushions or find a low, safe ledge for the children to stand on.
   • Encourage them to pretend they are defending the fort, symbolizing standing strong in their faith.
   • Discuss the importance of courage and standing up for what is right.

Activity 12: Listening to God – Whisper Game

Scripture Inspiration: 3 Nephi 3:18-19

1. Materials:
   • None
2. Directions:
   • Read 3 Nephi 3:18-19, focusing on how the Nephites listened to God’s guidance.
   • Play a whisper game where one person starts by whispering a message to the next person.
   • Discuss how important it is to listen carefully to God’s promptings and guidance.

Activity 13: Service – Helping Hands

Scripture Inspiration: 3 Nephi 4:29

1. Materials:
   • Cleaning supplies
   • Simple service project ideas (e.g., making cards, picking up trash)
2. Directions:
   • Read 3 Nephi 4:29, discussing how the Nephites served and helped each other after the battle.
   • Choose a simple service project to do together, like making cards for neighbors or picking up trash in a park.
   • Discuss how helping others is a way to show love and follow Jesus Christ’s example.

Activity 14: Obedience – Following Directions Game

Scripture Inspiration: 3 Nephi 3:12

1. Materials:
   • None
2. Directions:
   • Read 3 Nephi 3:12, focusing on the importance of following God’s commands.
   • Play a game where the children must follow a series of instructions or commands.
   • Discuss how following God’s instructions leads to blessings and safety.

Activity 15: Faith – Planting Seeds

Scripture Inspiration: 3 Nephi 1:13

1. Materials:
   • Small pots or cups
   • Soil
   • Seeds (flowers or herbs)
   • Water
2. Directions:
   • Read 3 Nephi 1:13, discussing how the people were told to have faith that the sign of Christ’s birth would come.
   • Provide each child with a pot, soil, and seeds. Let them plant the seeds, water them, and place them in a sunny spot.
   • Talk about how the seeds need care to grow, just like our faith.
   • Check the plants daily, using the growth process to discuss how nurturing our faith helps it grow stronger.

Activity 16: Honesty – Honesty Box

Scripture Inspiration: 3 Nephi 7:8

1. Materials:
   • Small box
   • Slips of paper
   • Pen
2. Directions:
   • Read 3 Nephi 7:8, emphasizing the importance of honesty.
   • Create an “Honesty Box” where the children can write down and submit examples of honesty they observe throughout the week.
   • At the end of the week, read and discuss these examples, reinforcing the importance of honesty.

Posted By: Lia · In: Primary