Here are 16 Montessori-inspired activities that parents can do with young children to help them learn the principles in Helaman 13-16 in the Book of Mormon:
Activity 1: Prophets and Warnings – Watchtower Craft
Scripture Inspiration: Helaman 13:4
- Materials:
- Cardboard tubes or paper rolls
- Construction paper
- Markers, scissors, and glue
- Directions:
- Read Helaman 13:4, discussing how Samuel the Lamanite warned the people from a city wall.
- Help the children create a watchtower using cardboard tubes and construction paper.
- Let them decorate their watchtower, and place it somewhere prominent as a reminder to listen to prophets’ warnings.
Activity 2: Writing Messages – Scroll Craft
Scripture Inspiration: Helaman 13:7
- Materials:
- Paper
- Wooden dowels or sticks
- String
- Markers
- Directions:
- Read Helaman 13:7, discussing how Samuel the Lamanite delivered a message from God.
- Create scrolls by attaching paper to wooden dowels or sticks.
- Have the children write or draw messages from God on the scrolls, then roll them up and tie with string.
- Discuss how prophets share important messages from God.
Activity 3: Signs and Symbols – Star Craft
Scripture Inspiration: Helaman 14:5
- Materials:
- Construction paper
- Scissors
- Glitter, glue, and markers
- Directions:
- Read Helaman 14:5, discussing the sign of the new star at 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 4: Repentance and Change – Clay Modeling
Scripture Inspiration: Helaman 13:11
- Materials:
- Modeling clay or playdough
- Directions:
- Read Helaman 13:11, discussing the importance of repentance and change.
- Give each child a piece of clay and encourage them to mold it into different shapes.
- As they work, talk about how repentance allows us to change and become better.
Activity 5: Light and Darkness – Flashlight Game
Scripture Inspiration: Helaman 14:20
- Materials:
- Flashlights
- Dark room or space
- Directions:
- Read Helaman 14:20, discussing the prophecy of darkness at Christ’s death.
- Turn off the lights in a room and use flashlights to create light in the darkness.
- Discuss how Christ is the light in our lives and helps us find our way even in dark times.
Activity 6: Listening to Prophets – Whisper Game
Scripture Inspiration: Helaman 13:26
- Materials:
- None
- Directions:
- Read Helaman 13:26, discussing how the people didn’t listen to Samuel the Lamanite.
- 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 the messages from the prophets.
Activity 7: Obedience – Simon Says Game
Scripture Inspiration: Helaman 14:30
- Materials:
- None
- Directions:
- Read Helaman 14:30, 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 we need to obey God’s commandments.
Activity 8: Gratitude and Blessings – Gratitude Tree
Scripture Inspiration: Helaman 14:13
- Materials:
- Large paper or cardboard
- Construction paper leaves
- Markers and tape
- Directions:
- Read Helaman 14:13, discussing how blessings come from following the Lord.
- Create a “Gratitude 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 9: Signs of the Times – Weather Chart
Scripture Inspiration: Helaman 14:23-24
- Materials:
- Paper
- Markers
- Weather symbols (sun, clouds, rain, etc.)
- Directions:
- Read Helaman 14:23-24, discussing the signs that Samuel prophesied.
- Create a weather chart with different symbols representing various weather conditions.
- Discuss how certain signs can tell us what is coming, just as Samuel’s signs warned the people of Christ’s coming.
Activity 10: Trust in God – Trust Walk
Scripture Inspiration: Helaman 14:12
- Materials:
- Blindfolds
- Safe area for walking
- Directions:
- Read Helaman 14:12, discussing the importance of trusting 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 – Standing on the Wall
Scripture Inspiration: Helaman 13:4
- Materials:
- Cushions or a low, safe ledge to stand on
- Directions:
- Read Helaman 13:4, discussing how Samuel the Lamanite stood on the city wall to deliver God’s message.
- Create a “wall” using cushions or find a low, safe ledge for the children to stand on.
- Encourage them to pretend they are Samuel delivering an important message.
- Discuss the courage it takes to stand up for what is right.
Activity 12: Signs and Prophecies – Timeline Creation
Scripture Inspiration: Helaman 14:2-6
- Materials:
- Large paper or poster board
- Markers
- Pictures or drawings representing different signs and prophecies
- Directions:
- Read Helaman 14:2-6, discussing the signs Samuel prophesied would accompany Christ’s birth.
- Create a timeline on the paper or poster board, marking each prophecy and its fulfillment.
- Have the children draw pictures representing each sign and add them to the timeline.
- Discuss the importance of recognizing and remembering God’s signs.
Activity 13: Forgiveness and Repentance – Broken Heart Puzzle
Scripture Inspiration: Helaman 13:8
- Materials:
- Heart-shaped puzzle (make a heart and cut it into pieces)
- Markers
- Directions:
- Read Helaman 13:8, focusing on the need for repentance.
- Give each child a piece of the heart-shaped puzzle.
- Write on each piece something they can do to repent or be kind.
- Have the children work together to put the heart puzzle back together.
- Discuss how repentance helps heal our hearts.
Activity 14: Faith – Planting Seeds
Scripture Inspiration: Helaman 14:13
- Materials:
- Small pots or cups
- Soil
- Seeds (flowers or herbs)
- Water
- Directions:
- Read Helaman 14:13, discussing how faith in Christ can bring blessings.
- 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 15: Light and Darkness – Candle Experiment
Scripture Inspiration: Helaman 14:20-21
- Materials:
- Candles
- Lighter (for adult use)
- Dark room or space
- Directions:
- Read Helaman 14:20-21, discussing the darkness that would come at Christ’s death.
- Light a candle in a dark room and observe how it lights up the space.
- Discuss how Christ’s light can overcome darkness in our lives.
Activity 16: Obedience – Following Directions Game
Scripture Inspiration: Helaman 14:30-31
- Materials:
- None
- Directions:
- Read Helaman 14:30-31, focusing on the importance of making choices and obeying God.
- 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.
