Pioneer Activities

In July (usually around the 24th), I always try to do some pioneer related activities as a family. As I reflect on the Mormon pioneers, and all the sacrifices they made, I swell with gratitude. I feel so blessed to live where I live, and be able to believe what I believe. I feel that I owe a debt of gratitude to the pioneers. I want my children to feel that same gratitude. Here are a few of the things we have done in the past:


Play pioneer games. For example, relay races, tag, tug-a-war, or stick pull. For the stick pull, I bought a large dowel, and wrote some of Joseph Smith Jr's quotes in the middle of the stick.

"I had seen a vision; I knew it & I knew that God knew it, & I could not deny it..."

"Yankee Doodle Do It."

"Courage, brethren; & on, on to the victory."

"When the Lord commands, do it."

Go for a Hike

Visit a Church History Site


Make homemade butter. This is simple. We poured whipping cream (about 2 cups) into a glass quart jar (with a screw-on lid). We each took turns shaking the jar while we read pioneer stories. Eventually a ball of butter forms. Pour off any remaining liquid, stir in salt (around 1/4 tsp.), and enjoy-- preferably on homemade rolls or buttermilk (you can use the liquid poured off your butter) biscuits.

Sing Pioneer Songs

Learn About How Pioneer Children Spent Their Days

Make Homemade Ice CreamThere is a fun recipe for individual ice cream in a zip-lock baggie here.

There are so many fun things that can be done. One Year we even made covered wagons out of Twinkies, large marshmallows, stick pretzels, and frosting.
The main idea, is to have fun together as a family.

Some "Nutty-Butterflies"

I added these fun butterfly snacks to my children's lunch plates the other day. They are celery, peanut butter, and pretzels. Much cuter than the usual "ants on a log" (although that is fun too). Everyone loved them, and was so grateful. I heard "Wow! Thanks Mom!" at least a dozen times. It reminded me how important it is to go the extra mile (at least every once in a while). It only took 2 seconds to make them, and brought loads of smiles to my home-- well worth it!

Morning Devotional or a Quick FHE Lesson

In the past (usually during the Summer), we have started our days with a morning devotional. It is usually a quick thought, quote, or lesson before we have our morning prayer. When my children were younger, it worked well to draw the devotional quote or lesson out of a bag. We enjoyed this, because the topic of our devotional was always a surprise. It is also fun, for older children to be given the responsibility of doing the morning devotional on a specific day.

Something new that has worked well for us is watching the "Mormon Messages" found at www.lds.org They are SO good, and work great for a morning devotional, or a quick FHE lesson.

This is one that we used recently, and was a big hit:
Our True Identity

Summer Memorization

A few years ago, I challenged my children (with the promise of dinner at our favorite restaurant) to memorize the 13 Articles of Faith during the summer. I made memorization cards, played the primary songs, and hung large posters around the house. Within 2 weeks, they had all passed them off-- even my 4 year old. It was so much fun, that the tradition of summer memorization has stuck. Each summer we, as a family, focus on memorizing something worthwhile. At the beginning of the summer, I present what I want them to work on memorizing, and together we decide on a reward. In the past we have done pizza parties, ice cream parties, and movie nights as the reward. I always include the Articles of Faith on the memorization list-- they usually pass those off on the first day. Some years I include quotes. Last year they each memorized this quote by Elder M. Russell Ballard:

"You do not have the right ever to be disrespectful to your mother or your father. Period. If you haven't had that taught to you before, write it in your journals and in your minds and hearts right now. Write down that I said you do not have the right to be ugly, to raise your voice, to slam doors, to scream or holler within the walls of your own home. Young people, you do have the right to be heard. If you are having difficulty getting your mother and your father to listen to you, in a calm manner just ask: 'Mom and Dad, Ive got a different feeling about a matter. Can we set a time to talk about it?"

This year, we are getting a late start, but the plan is to memorize the order and names of the First Presidency, and Quorum of the Twelve. I found some excellent printable picture cards here. And also plan to hang up their pictures around the house (can be purchased at the distribution center).


We are doing the Latter-day Prophets. There is a fun printable game here.

And, finally, we will be memorizing the order of the books in the Book of Mormon. I simply typed these up in a large font (1 Nephi, 2 Nephi, Jacob...) and printed them on cardstock. We will mix them up and practice putting them in order.

I am excited to see how it goes. It may seem like a lot, but it is amazing what kids will do for ice cream! I'll bet they will be done before the week is through! :)

Come Listen to a Prophets Voice

I love General Conference. As a child, I would have never guessed how much I would grow to anticipate listening to it twice a year. I truly look forward to it. I especially love reading the Conference edition of the Ensign. It is so packed full of priceless guidance. I thought for quite a while on how I could get my children as excited about that "light and truth" as I was. I ended up purchasing a copy of the Ensign for each member of the family-- they are only a couple of dollars at the distribution center. I also bought a variety of highlighters. Twice a week, in place of that mornings scripture study, we read an article aloud. Everyone follows along, and marks passages they find meaningful. I also told them to write in the margins the thoughts that come to them. As I look through each of their Ensigns, my heart swells to read things like, "I know Jesus will really come again." or "Heavenly Father loves you. You are His child." This idea has worked so well. Highlighters make everything more fun! ;0)

Importance of Regular FHE

Years ago, my Mother jokingly made the comment that she wished there were a spray you could cover your children with as they left home each day, that would keep them safe out in the world-- an "Armor of God in a Can." Unfortunately no such product exists. However, we have not been left empty handed. The gospel offers many promises of protection if we simply obey. Having regular Family Home Evenings is one way to claim these blessings.

"We call upon parents to devote their best efforts to the teaching and rearing of their children in gospel principles which will keep them close to the Church. The home is the basis of a righteous life, and no other instrumentality can take its place or fulfill its essential functions in carrying forward this God-given responsibility. We counsel parents and children to give highest priority to family prayer, family home evening, gospel study and instruction, and wholesome family activities."
(First Presidency letter, 11 February 1999 — Gordon B. Hinckley, Thomas S. Monson, and James E. Faust)

"Monday nights are reserved throughout the Church for family home evenings. We encourage members to set aside this time to strengthen family ties and teach the gospel in their homes. . . ."
(First Presidency letter, 4 October 1999 — Gordon B. Hinckley, Thomas S. Monson, and James E. Faust)

"If the Saints obey this counsel, we promise that great blessings will result. Love at home and obedience to parents will increase. Faith will be developed in the hearts of the youth of Israel, and they will gain power to combat the evil influence and temptations which beset them."
(First Presidency letter, 27 April 1915 — Joseph F. Smith, Anthon H. Lund, Charles W. Penrose

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What great promises!!! So often, I feel like I can't shield my children from the world, but having FHE every week is something I CAN do. As I have made the effort to prepare something special each week,I have seen the blessings truly fall upon my home. My children look forward to Family Home Evening. It is not always easy to pull something together, and at times, it seems like a failed attempt. However, I find great comfort in knowing that I am empowering my family to claim the blessings promised to us if we obey.

Here is an excellent source on making FHE successful.