Here are 16 Montessori-inspired activities to help young children learn the principles in 3 Nephi 12-16 from the Book of Mormon:
Activity 1: Building on the Rock – Rock and Sand Experiment
Scripture Inspiration: 3 Nephi 14:24-27
- Materials:
- Sand
- Small rocks
- Water
- Tray or container
- Directions:
- Read 3 Nephi 14:24-27, discussing the importance of building on a strong foundation.
- In a tray, create two foundations: one of sand and one of rocks.
- Pour water over each foundation and observe how the sand washes away while the rocks remain firm.
- Discuss how building our lives on Christ helps us stay strong.
Activity 2: Being the Light – Candle Craft
Scripture Inspiration: 3 Nephi 12:14-16
- Materials:
- Small candles or LED candles
- Paper or tissue paper
- Markers, glue
- Directions:
- Read 3 Nephi 12:14-16, discussing how we can be the light of the world.
- Let the children decorate paper or tissue paper to create a “candle holder” for their LED candle.
- Light the candles and discuss how we can let our light shine by doing good deeds.
Activity 3: Peacemaking – Peace Dove Craft
Scripture Inspiration: 3 Nephi 12:9
- Materials:
- White paper or construction paper
- Scissors
- Markers, glue
- Directions:
- Read 3 Nephi 12:9, discussing how blessed are the peacemakers.
- Help the children cut out a dove shape from white paper.
- Let them decorate the dove with markers or other materials.
- Discuss ways they can be peacemakers in their family and among friends.
Activity 4: Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness – Planting Seeds
Scripture Inspiration: 3 Nephi 12:6
- Materials:
- Small pots or cups
- Soil
- Seeds (flowers or herbs)
- Water
- Directions:
- Read 3 Nephi 12:6, discussing the importance of hungering and thirsting after righteousness.
- 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 desire for righteousness needs to be nurtured.
Activity 5: Building Relationships – Block Tower
Scripture Inspiration: 3 Nephi 12:24
- Materials:
- Building blocks
- Directions:
- Read 3 Nephi 12:24, discussing the importance of making things right with others.
- Use building blocks to create a tower, symbolizing relationships.
- Discuss how each block represents acts of kindness and forgiveness that strengthen relationships.
Activity 6: Avoiding Judgment – Heart Matching Game
Scripture Inspiration: 3 Nephi 14:1-2
- Materials:
- Heart-shaped cards
- Markers
- Directions:
- Read 3 Nephi 14:1-2, focusing on avoiding judgment.
- Create pairs of heart-shaped cards, one with an action and the other with a positive response (e.g., helping a friend).
- Mix the cards and have the children play a matching game, discussing how to respond with love and understanding.
Activity 7: Prayer – Prayer Box Craft
Scripture Inspiration: 3 Nephi 13:6
- Materials:
- Small boxes (shoe boxes or similar)
- Markers, stickers, glue
- Directions:
- Read 3 Nephi 13:6, discussing the importance of private prayer.
- Let the children decorate their prayer boxes.
- Encourage them to write or draw things they want to pray about and place them in the box.
- Discuss how prayer helps us grow closer to God.
Activity 8: Forgiveness – Erase the Mistakes
Scripture Inspiration: 3 Nephi 13:14-15
- Materials:
- Whiteboard or paper
- Markers or crayons
- Eraser or cloth
- Directions:
- Read 3 Nephi 13:14-15, discussing the importance of forgiveness.
- Write or draw examples of mistakes on a whiteboard or paper.
- As you talk about forgiveness, erase each mistake, showing how forgiveness clears away our errors.
- Discuss the joy that comes from forgiving others.
Activity 9: The Golden Rule – Role-Playing
Scripture Inspiration: 3 Nephi 14:12
- Materials:
- Simple props for role-playing
- Directions:
- Read 3 Nephi 14:12, discussing the Golden Rule.
- Role-play different scenarios where the children must decide how to treat others (e.g., sharing, being kind).
- Discuss how treating others the way we want to be treated brings happiness and peace.
Activity 10: Fasting – Hunger for Righteousness
Scripture Inspiration: 3 Nephi 13:16-18
- Materials:
- Small snacks
- Water
- Directions:
- Read 3 Nephi 13:16-18, discussing the importance of fasting.
- Talk about how fasting is a way to show our dedication to God.
- Discuss times when the children can give up a small snack to focus on prayer or helping others.
Activity 11: Trust in God – Trust Walk
Scripture Inspiration: 3 Nephi 13:25-34
- Materials:
- Blindfolds
- Safe area for walking
- Directions:
- Read 3 Nephi 13:25-34, discussing how God takes care of us.
- 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 care.
Activity 12: Building a Strong Foundation – Lego Tower
Scripture Inspiration: 3 Nephi 14:24-27
- Materials:
- Lego bricks or building blocks
- Directions:
- Read 3 Nephi 14:24-27, discussing the importance of building on a strong foundation.
- Let the children build a tall Lego tower, emphasizing the importance of a strong foundation (the base).
- Compare this to building our lives on the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Activity 13: Avoiding Hypocrisy – Mirror Craft
Scripture Inspiration: 3 Nephi 13:1-4
- Materials:
- Small mirrors or reflective paper
- Markers, stickers, glue
- Directions:
- Read 3 Nephi 13:1-4, discussing the importance of sincerity.
- Let the children decorate a mirror or reflective paper with markers and stickers.
- Discuss how we should be sincere in our actions and not just look good on the outside.
Activity 14: The Narrow Path – Obstacle Course
Scripture Inspiration: 3 Nephi 14:13-14
- Materials:
- Various household items to create obstacles
- Directions:
- Read 3 Nephi 14:13-14, discussing the narrow path that leads to life.
- Set up an obstacle course in your home or yard that represents the narrow path.
- Have the children navigate the course, discussing how staying on the path leads to blessings.
Activity 15: Meekness – Soft Clay Modeling
Scripture Inspiration: 3 Nephi 12:5
- Materials:
- Modeling clay or playdough
- Directions:
- Read 3 Nephi 12:5, discussing the importance of being meek and humble.
- Give each child some modeling clay and encourage them to create something soft and gentle, like a flower or heart.
- Discuss how being meek and gentle helps us follow Christ’s example.
Activity 16: Treasures in Heaven – Treasure Box Craft
Scripture Inspiration: 3 Nephi 13:19-21
- Materials:
- Small boxes
- Markers, stickers, glue
- Directions:
- Read 3 Nephi 13:19-21, discussing the importance of storing up treasures in heaven.
- Let the children decorate small boxes as their “treasure boxes.”
- Encourage them to write or draw things they can do to build up treasures in heaven and place them in the box.
