40+ LDS Activity Days Ideas for Boys and Girls

Planning your activities for Primary Activity Days doesn’t have to be hard! There are tons of fun ideas that everyone will love. We are sharing some of the best, tried and true activities that Activity Day children will love!

The purpose of Primary Activity Days is to help boys and girls ages 8-11 live gospel principles, develop testimonies, build friendships and prepare to receive the Aaronic Priesthood or become righteous Young Woman.

The groups are divided into boys and girls and each group has its own set of leaders. However, you could always plan combined activities as needed and appropriate!

Remember, Primary Activity Days can help your child feel more confident in his or her ability to interact with others and develop lasting friendships. These are important in helping this age group develop a love of the gospel and start the habit of coming to church activities that will help them as they join the Young Women and Men program.

Need some ideas for older youth? Check out this post for TONS of Latter-day Saint Youth Mutual Activity ideas.

How to plan a Primary Activity Days Activity

Choose activities that will help the children develop good gospel habits. You want the Primary children to enjoy coming to Activity Days but remember to have a purpose in each activity.

Choose activities that could fall into the following categories:

• Learning and living the gospel
• Serving others
• Developing talents
• Preparing for the Priesthood or Young Womens

Following the Children’s Guide book can also help you plan meaningful activities. Choose activities that fall into each category:

• Spiritual Growth
• Social Growth
• Physical Growth
• Intellectual Growth

Use your imagination, get creative and plan activities that those kids will love, remember and that will help them gain a testimony of the gospel.

Although the Church no longer participates in Boy Scouts of America, a lot of leaders like to use the guidebooks and ideas that can be found online to help plan activities these days as well.

LDS Activity Days Ideas

1. Pinewood Derby Races

Categories: Social and Intellectual

This activity day idea is a good choice for boys or girls.  It’s easy to set up and allows participants to learn many life lessons, such as patience, dedication, teamwork, determination, and following rules.

If you need trophies, we made these DIY Pinewood Derby trophies with our Cricut a few years back.

An alternative would be a “Spudwood Derby” where you just have the participants show up with no prep. Each child is provided with a potato that they can decorate and put wheels on, and they are raced on a traditional track. This can be less stressful for families!

2 . Service Projects

Categories: Social and Spiritual

 Activity days that include service projects are a great way to teach children the importance of serving others.  They can help them learn that they are not just bystanders but active community participants.

JustServe.org is a website created by the Church that has tons of great service project ideas available in your community. We’ve done a variety of activities from here that are very kid-friendly, including tying blankets, making snack bags, making sack lunches, and creating cards for people in the community.

Here are some great random acts of kindness that can be turned into projects or activities.

3 . Field Trips

Categories: Various

Some activity day field trip ideas include field trips to local attractions like museums, zoos, aquariums, or historical sites. These outings teach children about different cultures, help them learn how to be more observant and take in their surroundings, and most importantly they can be fun!  Field trips also encourage empathy because oftentimes youth groups will go behind the scenes and meet with people who work at the location.

Our local library has “Culture Passes” that you can check out for free for different museums in the area – depending on the size of your group, this could be a great option.

4 . Book club

Categories: Social and Intellectual

This activity is fun because it gives the children the opportunity to share a little bit about their favorite book. Ask each child to come prepared with a short summary of the book and a reason why they like it. This teaches them how to summarize, stay on task, stick to an outline and share something they love.

5 . Family History Projects

Categories: Intellectual and Spiritual

 Family history projects are a useful activity day idea because they provide children with an opportunity to pursue their interests in technology while also learning more about their families.  The ideas can range from writing family biographies for Mother’s Day or Father’s Day, making a family tree, or even creating a family cookbook.

For some reason fantastic ideas, you can check out the Family Connections Project. They have some great activities for children to do in regards to family history.

6 . Family Fitness Event

This activity day idea is good for children of all ages but is especially great for younger children.  Assembling a scavenger hunt or obstacle course are both easy ways to get the whole group moving!

7 . Arts and Crafts

 There are endless possibilities for activity day ideas that include arts and crafts.  They can involve making picture frames out of twigs, drawing pictures to represent the sacrament, creating dream catchers to hang above beds, painting rocks or stones to hide around town for others to find, or designing flyers for an upcoming activity.  The possibilities are endless and children will enjoy learning how to use new skills such as painting or drawing.

Some of the children might enjoy this temple craft we did for a Relief Society activity one year.

8 . Family Game Night

Family game night is a fun activity day idea because it’s easy to plan and provides participants with many opportunities for interaction and spending time together as family members.  Play board games, card games, etc., and invite the children’s families to participate.

I know our kids LOVE playing JackBox Games – make sure you pick the family-friendly JackBox games, though!

9 . Pioneer Day Activities

 Pioneer day activities are fun ways to learn about the pioneers. You could do relays, Pioneer dress-up contest, butter making, etc.

10 . Temple Visit 

Visiting the temple is a great activity day idea because it gives children an opportunity to learn more about their religion and apply gospel teachings in their lives.  Participants will also feel the spirit as they enter the temple grounds and leave feeling empowered and peaceful. If you have a temple dedication near your that would also be an awesome activity to do together.

11 . Cooking Activity Day

Cooking activity days are fun because they let children explore their creativity and learn new skills.  They can make treats forward members, plan a menu for various occasions, or even just create something simple together as a family.

12 . Outing to Park/ Playground  

Playing at the park is yet another great activity day idea because it allows participants to get physical activity in a fun and creative way.  It also gives children an opportunity to socialize with peers and bond with the kids from their ward.

13 . Board Game Day

Playing board games is easy to plan, provides an opportunity for interaction, and can be as competitive or as non-competitive as desired.  This is also a fairly low preparation activity that is sure to be a hit.

Here are some great board games that all ages can enjoy!

14. Paper Airplanes

This is something we did with the boys in our ward, and they LOVED it. Most kids love making paper airplanes, so make an activity out of it. You can bring a variety of paper, markers, stickers, etc. and let the kids go to down. Alternatively, you could buy a book of paper airplanes that give instruction on how to make them. We have one from Usborne our kids love. You could read some of Elder Uchtdorf’s talks on airplanes while they make them, and then have a competition at the end!

16 . Cupcake Wars

Split the children into two groups and provide them with already baked cupcakes. Supply an endless variety of frosting, sprinkles, candies, etc., and let them decorate their cupcakes. Have a third party (like a member of the Bishopric, Relief Society Presidency, Primary Presidency, etc.) vote on the best ones!

16 . Make Your Own Pizza Party

  For younger children, having a pizza party is an easy way to provide them with physical activity while also feeding them something healthy for dinner!  This is also a great opportunity for your group to chat and visit together, learn a new skill and enjoy a tasty treat.

17 . Bike Ride or Rollerblading/ Skating Outing

 Roller blading, or bike riding is a great outdoor physical activity that provides participants with opportunities to receive exercise while also enjoying nature.  Biking, rollerblading/ skating, or even a simple family walk are all good choices.

18 . Clean the Church Building

Scheduling an activity day to clean the church building is fun because it encourages children to serve others while also teaching them organizational skills.  It is always amazing what can be accomplished when everyone pitches in together!  This is also a good idea if the activity day is scheduled for summertime.

19 . House Party 

 Hosting an activity day at your own house is another great way to spend time with each other while giving everyone plenty of opportunities to socialize.  This is especially fun during winter or rainy days when kids are stuck inside all day.

20 . Play Outside

Playing outside is always a hit! It encourages children to get fresh air and have fun.  This is something that can easily be incorporated into any schedule, whether it be for an hour or the entire day.

21 . Art Projects

Art projects can help encourage children to express their creativity and work together. The possibilities are endless- painting, drawing, sculpting, or any other types of activities that appeal to each individual.

22 . Go on a Scavenger Hunt

 Scavenger hunts are fun for all ages and can be tailored to fit the needs and interests of each individual child.  They’re also a great way to get everyone outside and moving! You can easily look up kid-friendly Scavenger Hunts online that fit your theme.

23 . Make Your Own Sundae Party

 Making your own sundaes is an easy and fun activity for all ages, especially love on those hot summer days when everyone wants ice cream but it’s just too hot to go out!  This can be a great way to cool down after a fun day of physical activity

24 . Yoga Night

Find someone who teaches Yoga or look up a beginners Yoga for Kids video on YouTube. Let the kids get silly and learn a few Yoga moves. You can end the night with a relaxing cool down that can help them calm down.

25 . Have a Movie Day

Having a movie day is something that can be done at a home and doesn’t require any special preparation or planning. Make sure it is family-friendly and approved by parents and church leaders. Be aware that many movies cannot be shown in public at the church, so make sure you check any issues with licensing.

26 . Make Your Own Lunch Party

 Teach the children how to plan and execute their own lunch! This encourages children to eat healthy while also enjoying the company of their friends.  Finger foods are an easy choice, but this can be adapted to fit any taste or dietary restrictions that may be present within your Activity Days Group.

27 . Hot Tub Party

 If you have access to a hot tub this is an activity the kids will LOVE! It takes little to no prep- the children will entertain themselves and it is a great socializing activity.

28 . Go on a Hike

Going on a hike is always fun!  This is a great outing that gives everyone the opportunity to enjoy Mother Nature and get some exercise. You can also learn some good group songs and sing along the trails!

29 . Ice Skating Outing  

Participating in an ice skating outing would be fun for during winter months, especially if your area experiences snowfall.  This can be a great way to learn a new skill.

30 . Have a Talent Show

Having a talent show encourages children to practice their talents, even if they are less than stellar!  It provides kids with the opportunity to feel good about themselves and their abilities, and can be a great way for children to develop social skills as well.

31 . Make Your Own Treats Day

 Learning to bake is fun for everyone!  This provides kids with the opportunity to express their creativity both in choosing what they want to make and in how how they make it, while also allowing everyone to enjoy tasty treats.

32 . Dance Party  

Make it a dance party with pizza and snacks. Bring a Karaoke machine, disco ball- anything! Let the kids dance and go wild. This is a great social activity.

33 . Play Outside

 When it’s nice outside, there’s nothing better than getting good exercise by playing outside with friends!  Whether you play a game of kickball or have a water balloon fight, playing outside is always fun while also providing everyone with much needed physical activity.

34 . Write Letters to the Missionaries

Have the children write letters to the missionaries in your ward. Bring fun stationery and pens and take the opportunity to talk about missionary work, what they do, and answer any questions they may have.

35 . Make Foil Dinners 

This would be fun to do in the fall time. It would be a great way to teach the girls cooking skills. Provide a variety of meats, veggies, and seasonings and let them make their own foil dinner. Find a fire pit, or cook them over a grill and then enjoy a yummy dinner together.

36 . Make Your Own Gardening Kit 

Having a gardening kit can help them learn about gardening and growing things!  Some kits contain seeds, potting soil, tools, and other components. Check out local thrift stores for some of these items.

37. Gratitude Night

You could do this around Thanksgiving. Bring mini pumpkins or cut pumpkins out of construction paper. Have the kids write on their pumpkins things that they are grateful for.

38. Minute to Win It Games

Kids love games! Minute to Win It Games are easy to play and fun for everyone. They are an easy google search away and a fun way to break the ice and create a fun bonding experience.

Here are some fun minute to win it games.

39. How To Draw

Find a kid-friendly YouTube video that teaches step-by-step instructions and supply the kids with sketch paper and pencils. This will help your group learn to follow instructions, stay on track and learn a new skill.

40. Etiquette Night

This is important for both boys and girls. You can have a night devoted to teaching basic table manners, how to set a table, etc. Bring plates, napkins, and silverware to practice on.

41. Favorite Things Party

Have each child bring one of their favorite things that costs $5 or less. Go around the room and have everyone share what they brought and then do a White Elephant type game where everyone goes home with one of the favorite things.

43. Pictionary, Hangman, etc.

These types of games are classics that don’t require a lot of time or effort. They are great for doing at the end of activities when you have a little bit of extra time.

We’d love to hear any activities you’ve had with your activity day kids that have been fun!

Check out some of our other posts for Latter-Day Saints:

• LDS Youth Mutual Activities
• Ultimate Guide to LDS Missionary Gifts
• 30 Activity Day Ideas For Boys
• LDS Temple Craft Idea
• 30+ Fun Relief Society Activity Ideas
• The Best List of LDS Gifts
• Mormon Pioneer Trek Ideas
• 30 Ministering Ideas for Latter-Day Saints
• Come Follow Me Resources and Lesson Helps
• Virtual Relief Society Activities
• Kahoot Quizzes for Come Follow Me
• 20 Virtual Activities for Latter-Day Saint Youth Groups