LDS Singing Time Ideas “When I am Baptized”

Teaching “When I Am Baptized,” Children’s Songbook, 103 in singing time is a beautiful opportunity to help children understand the significance of baptism and the blessings that come from following Jesus Christ. With its simple yet powerful message, this song teaches the joy of being clean and the desire to follow the Savior.

To make learning this song engaging and meaningful, I’ve gathered a variety of interactive activities that will help Primary children connect with the lyrics and melody in a fun and memorable way.

Whether you’re using visuals, movement, or hands-on activities, these ideas will bring the song to life and strengthen the children’s testimonies of baptism.

Here are some fun and engaging LDS Singing Time ideas to teach “When I Am Baptized” from the Children’s Songbook (p. 103). These activities will help children learn the words, feel the spirit, and understand the meaning behind the song.

Rainbow Visuals & Object Lesson

• Show a picture of a rainbow and ask the children what it means to them. Explain that after rain comes a rainbow, just like baptism washes us clean and brings new beginnings.
• Use colored scarves, ribbons, or rainbow cutouts and have the children wave them during the words “I like to look for rainbows”.

Raindrop & Clean Slate Activity

• Write the song lyrics on blue raindrop cutouts and scatter them around the room. Have children collect them in order as they sing.
• On a whiteboard, write words that represent mistakes (unkind words, fighting, disobedience). After singing a line, erase a word to symbolize how baptism washes away our sins.

Water Sound Effects

• Use small spray bottles to mist the air every time the word “rain” or “clean” is sung.
• Have the children gently tap their fingers on their palms to mimic raindrops falling while they sing softly.

Baptism Footsteps

• Print out footprints leading to a picture of Jesus or the baptismal font. Each footprint has a phrase of the song, and as they sing, a child moves along the path.
• Talk about how baptism is a step toward following Jesus Christ.

ASL Hand Motions

• Teach simple American Sign Language signs for key words like rainbow, rain, clean, baptism, and Jesus to help children connect to the

Picture Words

Thank you to Amy from Facebook for sharing this PDF file and suggestions on how shes uses them:

The PDF is uploaded to files as “When I Am Baptized Picture Words”. I like adding magnets to the back.

Week One: Sing a phrase and have the kids identify which strip of pictures belongs with that phrase. Second time through, hand strips out and have them come put it up on the board as their phrase is sung.

Week Two: Quick review with picture strips already in order on the board (sing one time through). Remove the strips from the board. Hand out verse one of larger individual pictures and have the kids come put them in order as you sing. Do the same for verse two.

No matter which approach you choose, the most important thing is to create an environment where children can feel the love of Heavenly Father and develop their own desire to follow Jesus Christ. As they sing about being clean and starting anew, they’ll not only learn the song but also deepen their understanding of this sacred ordinance.

Flip Charts

Flip Charts a fun way to teach children the lyrics to any Primary Song.

Here a few options:

Flip Chart

Flip Chart

YouTube

Marilia from Facebook shared this with using this idea: Last week I adapted this activity for When I’m baptized to help kids remember the lyrics. I got it from a post in the group and it was sweet! Kids loved it.  I folded the paper and drew the same picture on both parts. For the front I used a black permanent marker and for the colorful drawing on the back part I used hydrographic pens. As you can see, when you place them on the water the drawings turn colorful. I placed each paper while we sang the verse they represented.

Handbells

Handbells are such a fun and interactive way to help the children learn the words to new songs. Here is a great bells chart you can use:

Spot It Game

Find the file here

and here

Thank you to Eve for sharing how she uses this resource:

My plan with the spot-it game was to put 2 cards up at a time and have the kids find the match. If the match is a symbol from the flip chart sing the song. If the match is a different symbol sing other songs from the songbook (could do free choice or preselect songs that go with the symbols)

Secret Code

This idea comes from Camille’s Primary Ideas

This Secret Code game will help the children learn the meaning of the song!

Fix the Lyrics Game

File here

Scarves

If you have not used scarves in your singing time- you are missing out! Kids love them!

The file below will show you the actions to use for each part.

File here

Clapping

An easy idea for both Junior and Senior Primary ages!

I hope these “When I Am Baptized” singing time ideas help bring the song to life for your Primary! Whether you’re using visuals, movement, instruments, or hands-on activities, the goal is to help the children feel the message of baptism, renewal, and God’s love.

Remember, every child connects to music differently, so don’t be afraid to adapt and follow the Spirit as you teach. Most importantly, have fun, keep it engaging, and create a space where testimonies can grow through music. Happy singing!

Other articles you may enjoy:

• Low Prep LDS Singing Time Ideas
• “Every Star is Different” LDS Singing Time Ideas
• “A Child’s Prayer” LDS Singing Time Ideas