Helaman 1-6 Activities for Primary Children

Activity 1: Courage and Faith – Shield Craft

Scripture Inspiration: Helaman 1:14

1. Materials:
   • Cardboard or thick paper
   • Markers, paint, or stickers
   • Scissors
2. Directions:
   • Read Helaman 1:14, discussing the courage and faith of the Nephites.
   • Help the children cut out a shield shape from the cardboard.
   • Let them decorate their shields with symbols of faith and courage (crosses, hearts, stars).
   • Talk about how having faith and courage helps us stand up for what is right.

Activity 2: Listening to Leaders – Role-Playing

Scripture Inspiration: Helaman 2:4

1. Materials:
   • Simple costumes or props for role-playing
2. Directions:
   • Read Helaman 2:4, highlighting the importance of following righteous leaders.
   • Role-play scenarios where the children have to follow instructions from a “leader” (parent or older sibling).
   • Discuss the importance of listening to and following the guidance of our leaders.

Activity 3: Honesty – Honesty Box

Scripture Inspiration: Helaman 3:21

1. Materials:
   • Small box
   • Slips of paper
   • Pen
2. Directions:
   • Read Helaman 3:21, 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.

Activity 4: Unity and Cooperation – Team Building Game

Scripture Inspiration: Helaman 3:24

1. Materials:
   • Large sheet or blanket
2. Directions:
   • Read Helaman 3:24, emphasizing the importance of unity and cooperation.
   • 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 5: Gratitude – Thankful Tree

Scripture Inspiration: Helaman 3:35

1. Materials:
   • Large paper or cardboard
   • Construction paper, markers, tape
2. Directions:
   • Read Helaman 3:35, focusing on giving thanks to God.
   • Create a “Thankful Tree” on a large piece of paper or cardboard.
   • Cut out leaf shapes from construction paper.
   • Have the children write or draw things they are thankful for on the leaves and tape them to the tree.

Activity 6: Record Keeping – Personal Journals

Scripture Inspiration: Helaman 3:15

1. Materials:
   • Small notebooks or journals
   • Pens or crayons
2. Directions:
   • Read Helaman 3:15, explaining the importance of keeping records.
   • Give each child a small notebook or journal.
   • Encourage them to write or draw their thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
   • Discuss the importance of keeping a personal record and how it helps us remember our spiritual experiences.

Activity 7: Following Righteous Examples – Story Time

Scripture Inspiration: Helaman 3:27-28

1. Materials:
   • Children’s version of the Book of Mormon or a simplified story of Helaman
2. Directions:
   • Read Helaman 3:27-28, discussing how the Nephites followed righteous examples.
   • Share stories of righteous leaders from the Book of Mormon or other religious texts.
   • Discuss the qualities that made these leaders good examples to follow.
   • Encourage the children to think of ways they can follow these examples in their own lives.

Activity 8: Service – Helping Hands

Scripture Inspiration: Helaman 4:10

1. Materials:
   • Cleaning supplies
   • Simple service project ideas (e.g., making cards, picking up trash)
2. Directions:
   • Read Helaman 4:10, discussing how the Nephites helped each other.
   • 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 9: Building Strong Foundations – Block Tower

Scripture Inspiration: Helaman 5:12

1. Materials:
   • Building blocks
2. Directions:
   • Read Helaman 5:12, discussing how building on a strong foundation (Jesus Christ) helps us withstand challenges.
   • Use building blocks to create a strong tower or wall.
   • Talk about how strong foundations (faith, prayer, obedience) help us stay strong and withstand challenges.

Activity 10: Trust in God – Trust Walk

Scripture Inspiration: Helaman 5:47

1. Materials:
   • Blindfolds
   • Safe area for walking
2. Directions:
   • Read Helaman 5:47, discussing how the Nephites trusted in God.
   • 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 11: Courage – Obstacle Course

Scripture Inspiration: Helaman 1:14-15

1. Materials:
   • Various household items to create obstacles
   • Small flag or banner
2. Directions:
   • Read Helaman 1:14-15, discussing the courage of the Nephites.
   • Set up an obstacle course in your home or yard.
   • Create a small flag or banner with a meaningful message.
   • Have the children navigate the course while holding the flag, symbolizing standing firm in their faith.

Activity 12: Obedience – Simon Says Game

Scripture Inspiration: Helaman 3:20

1. Materials:
   • None
2. Directions:
   • Read Helaman 3:20, focusing on the importance of obedience.
   • Play a game of “Simon Says” to teach obedience.
   • Explain how following instructions promptly and correctly is important, just as the Nephites followed righteous leaders.

Activity 13: Patience – Waiting Game

Scripture Inspiration: Helaman 3:8

1. Materials:
   • Timer
   • Small rewards
2. Directions:
   • Read Helaman 3:8, discussing the patience of the Nephites.
   • Play a waiting game where the children have to wait patiently for a set amount of time (using a timer) before receiving a small reward.
   • Discuss the importance of patience and how it helps us in our daily lives.

Activity 14: Honoring Covenants – Covenant Chain

Scripture Inspiration: Helaman 5:14

1. Materials:
   • Strips of colored paper
   • Markers
   • Stapler or glue
2. Directions:
   • Read Helaman 5:14, emphasizing the importance of honoring covenants.
   • Write different covenants or good deeds on paper strips (e.g., praying daily, being kind).
   • Create a chain by linking the strips together with staples or glue.
   • Hang the chain in a visible place, adding a new link each time the children follow a covenant or do a good deed.

Activity 15: Forgiveness – Healing Hearts

Scripture Inspiration: Helaman 3:23

1. Materials:
   • Paper hearts
   • Markers
2. Directions:
   • Read Helaman 3:23, discussing forgiveness and reconciliation.
   • Provide paper hearts and markers.
   • Have the children write or draw ways they can forgive others or ask for forgiveness.
   • Discuss how forgiveness heals our hearts and strengthens our relationships.

Activity 16: Faith – Planting Seeds

Scripture Inspiration: Helaman 5:6

1. Materials:
   • Small pots or cups
   • Soil
   • Seeds (flowers or herbs)
   • Water
2. Directions:
   • Read Helaman 5:6, discussing the faith of Nephi and Lehi.
   • 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 17: Gratitude Journal

Scripture Inspiration: Helaman 3:35

1. Materials:
   • Small notebooks
   • Pens or crayons
2. Directions:
   • Read Helaman 3:35, focusing on giving thanks.
   • Give each child a small notebook to create a gratitude journal.
   • Encourage them to write or draw things they are grateful for each day.
   • Discuss how gratitude helps us recognize God’s blessings.

Posted By: Lia · In: Primary