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Love At Home

2012
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Song: Love One Another

Scripture: John 13:34 “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another, as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.”

Items needed:

  • Write a letter to each family member and explain to them why they are important and special. Leave the letter in a place where they will find it on the day of your FHE lesson.
  • Make a chart that says Love One Another–see below how to make chart

Adapted from Family Home Evening Resource book:

If Jesus Came to Visit Us

  • How would it feel if Jesus were to come and visit our home?
  • Would we want to change the way we act with each other?
  • What would Jesus think if He came into our home?

Jesus would be unhappy if we were being unkind and unloving towards our family members. He cares so much about us that he wants us to feel the love He and Heavenly Father have for us. We can feel that love in our families.

Inviting the Spirit of the Lord into Our Home

  • Ask how the letters to each family member made them feel.

When we show love and appreciation it brings a good spirit into our home. This is how our Heavenly Father and Jesus want us to feel. The family in the central unit of the Lord’s plan for us.

Love One Another Chart

  • Make a chart by drawing a heart in the middle of the paper with rays around it.
  • Next make lines below the heart to write names on.
  • In the middle of the heart, write “Our Family”

Each time you see a family member show love put id down on the chart. The deed goes onto the rays and you can write the name on the list below. Challenge each family member to help fill all the rays by the next FHE.

Filed Under: Families With Children, Latter-day Saints, Lessons, Tweens & Teens

Secret Server

2012
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Purpose: To gain a testimony of the importance of serving, especially serving without seeking praise or recognition.
Materials:
Picture: Jesus Washing Apostles’ Feet
Clip art for the stories
1 copy of the Service Chart per person
several “You have been Served” calling cards per person

Lesson:
Attention getter:
As you are about to begin the lesson, drop a box of crayons or your papers on the ground with an exclamation such as “Oh no!” or “Oops!”. Wait and see if anyone offers to help you pick them up. If no one does, go ahead and ask for help.
Thank those who helped and explain that Heavenly Father wants us to help one another. This is called service. We can show we love our Heavenly Father by serving his children.

Display the quote on service:

“The Lord answers the prayers of the needy by prompting others to righteous deeds: God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another mortal that he meets our needs. Therefore, it is vital that we serve each other.” -Spencer W. Kimball

Show the picture of Jesus washing apostles’ feet.

Jesus set the example for us when he, the greatest of all, served his disciples by washing their feet.

Summarize the story.
John 13:4-5, 12-15

Story:

Helping Mom (for very young children)

 

Discuss the story emphasizing that the service was given in secret. * If you have a personal experience in which someone served you anonymously or you helped someone else anonymously, this would be the perfect time to share it. Testify of the importance of serving others and the blessings that come from it.

Activity/Weekly Challenge:

Secret Server Week

You are going to be a SECRET SERVER for the week. Draw family members’ names out of a hat so that everyone has someone else’s name. Don’t tell anyone whose name you have (parents will help the very young ones). Each day of the week you will perform at least one secret act of service for your Receiver. You may leave a “You Have Been Served” calling card with your Receiver’s name on it (this helps the Receiver recognize that an act of service was done in their behalf). For each day you do a special, secret act of service, you will color in a heart on the Service Chart. Have fun and shhhhhhhh Don’t give yourself away!

Dessert: Zucchini Cobbler

*ideas of small acts of secret service that can be done at home
make the bed for your receiver
set his/her place at the breakfast table
draw or color a picture
leave a favorite treat on his/her pillow
put toothpaste on his/her toothbrush
do one of his/her chores
make a favorite meal or dessert with mom or dad’s help
straighten up his/her closet
decorate his/her bedroom
leave a surprise note or treat in a lunchbox

 

Filed Under: Couples, Families, Families With Children, FHE Lessons for All, Newlyweds, Service Project Ideas, Service Projects, Single Groups, Tweens & Teens

How to Prepare for College: Tips and Ideas

2012
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FHE Theme: This FHE lesson is for those families who have children preparing for college entrance. I am going to share some tips that I learned from my own college experience and from working for a university for over 6 years.

Lesson: Here are some tips on making the transition to college a little smoother for everyone involved as well as some other great information I’ve learned along the way.

Tips:

1. Attend a campus tour and also attend all the orientations you can! You will want to get the best feel for campus as you can as you make your decision. Going on a campus tour may be the deciding factor in chosing which school you’re going to attend. Make sure you attend orientations. Though it may seem “nerdy”, it’s even more nerdy when you can’t find your way around campus or to your classes.

2. Find & apply for housing a year in advance or as early as you possibly can. I was the first to attend college in my family. My mother drove me 4 hours two weeks before I was to start my college experience and neither one of us thought that housing would be an issue. It was. There was none. So, we made the long trip back home and I was now going to be a semester behind.

3. Get acquainted with all the main offices, such as financial aid, registrar’s and cashiers. Also learn what each of them have available to students such as appeals, withdrawals, grade changes, deadlines, etc. All the stuff that you may need at some point. I didn’t know you could withdraw from courses and during one of my semesters, I went through a horrific ordeal that left me unable to finish the semester. Those F’s on my transcript have never been erased and taint my otherwise perfect college transcripts. It’s also a constant reminder of that semester. Don’t let that happen to you. Life happens and schools can help you out with that.

4. Read and know your course syllabus’, requirements and due dates. I would recommend reading your syllabus or assignment requirement sheet weekly and prior to starting new assignments, papers or projects. You want to make sure you do all that the instructor asks of you. Plus, this is great training for the work force when you can pay attention to details and deliever the correct product.

5. Focus on great grades for all the right reasons, but don’t be OCD about it. Of course, most employers don’t ask for a copy of your college transcripts to check out your grades. However, having great grades helps you in multiple ways; scholarships, graduating with honors (both look great on resumes) and plus, the better you know the information, the more success you’ll have in your profession. Afterall, you are PAYING for this education… get all that you can out of it. Which leads me to this remark– READ ALL YOUR TEXTBOOKS. Even if it isn’t assigned, it doesn’t hurt to have as much knowledge as possible. However, don’t be OCD about it. I was. Sometimes focusing more on getting straight A’s and forgetting to enjoy the classes I was taking. Don’t do that. You’ll have regrets like me.

6. Get involved. Whatever you like to do, there’s a club, group or organization on campus just for you. It’s a perfect way to make new friends, build your character and adds to your whole college experience. Don’t forget to attend the sports games– even if the teams are horrible. :) Some of my fondest memories from college are the times when I was involved on campus with this or that.

7. Work on campus. There are countless student jobs available on the majority of college campus’. It’s a great way to work around your school schedule, plus you may even find a job that allows you to work along side your mentors/professors which will help provide great references for graduate schools or employers in your field.

Last little tips: Learn to cook, clean, do laundry, iron, sew a button and all of that prior to leaving home. All those chores you *had* to do throughout your life have been stepping stones to helping you become a capable, productive young adult.


Activity: College Trivia
According to the schools your child(ren) are interested in attending, prepare some trivia facts about them to see how much they really know about the places they want to go to school. Ideas for trivia topics are: what year was it established? how many students attend the school? what is their mascot? and so on.

It would be a great way to involve the entire family on this new experience as one family member transitions from home and off to college.

Treat:


(click on the link above to take you to the recipe)

RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
2 pound cakes
2 1/2 cups chocolate frosting
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons white frosting
12 to 15 glazed chocolate doughnut holes
Confectioners’ sugar
Red and orange decorators’ gel
Red, orange, and yellow fruit leather
Scissors

Step 1 - Campfire Cake1. With a knife, shave the square edges off the cakes to give them a log shape. Next, mix 1/4 cup of chocolate frosting into 1 cup of white to make a light tan. Place one log on a platter (a dab of frosting on the bottom will help hold it in place). Frost it with the chocolate and tan frostings as shown. To create bark and tree rings, scrape the tines of a fork across the chocolate frosting, then scratch a spiral into each tan end.

2. Pour the doughnut holes into a bowl and sprinkle them with confectioners’ sugar. Arrange 10 doughnut-hole embers in a single layer next to the frosted log, sticking them in place with frosting.

3. For the branch stub, cut a 1-inch slice from one end of the second log and trim it into a 2-inch circle; set the piece aside. Frost the bottom of the log and set it in place as shown. Use frosting to stick the stub to the second log. Create bark and rings again.

Step 4 - Campfire Cake4. For flames, take a piece of fruit leather and, with the backing still in place, lightly wet half (lengthwise) of the fruit side with water. Fold it in half lengthwise and press to seal. Cut out flame shapes with scissors as shown, then remove the backing.

Step 5 - Campfire Cake5. Slice 2 doughnut holes in half. Put a dollop of the remaining white frosting onto the cut surface, then set a flame on top. Squeeze decorators’ gel over the decorated doughnut holes, then set them on the platter. Use any remaining doughnut holes to fill in the gaps between the logs. Decorate them with more flames and gel, if desired.

Recipe from: FamilyFun.com
Filed Under: Families With Children, Lessons, Tweens & Teens

New Year Individual and Family Goals

2012
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Purpose: Setting goals and establishing resolutions is the number one way people begin the New Year. The most important aspect is to plan according to what you really want to accomplish in realistic time frames. You can plan for one long-term goal(s), something to focus on throughout the year and you can also do smaller, short-term goals to work on for a few months at a time, or even shorter. The most important aspect is “if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”

This lesson is to help jump-start individuals and families to set goals to for the New Year.

Lesson:

Goals have multiple layers: first, you create a visual in your mind of the goal(s) you would like to accomplish. Once you have in mind what you want to do, you’ve already accomplished half your goal.

1. Visualize yourself at the end point of reaching that goal.

Create a detailed plan to reach that goal. Will this be reached in 3, 6, 9 or 12 months? When will you have accountability on how you’re doing on reaching these goals? How often will you have this accountability? You can invite family and/or friends to help keep you focused on the goal(s) that you create.

What type of goals are you wanting to create for the upcoming year?

Career (do you want to achieve a promotion, finish an important project, increase sales, etc), Financial (pay off one credit card, two credit cards, all debt, pay off car, learn how to coupon and use them weekly, etc), Education (go back to school- finish your degree or begin a degree program, learn a new language, take a community class, etc.), Family (plan a vacation and set a budget, create a budget for your family, etc), Volunteer Service (make goals to volunteer monthly or do toy/food drives, make 24 Hr. Survival Kits, etc.), Physical (make goals to work out, lose weight, run a race, etc.), Personal Enrichment (learn to play a musical instrument, paint, cut hair, etc.).

2. Write it down.

Keeping a written log, journal or even create a blog to keep a daily or weekly record of your experience working towards your goals. Blogging can be a powerful way to keep yourself accountable and to engage others which will help you stay focused.

3. Create the plan.

Use budget sheets, goal sheets, calendars and whatever other materials you can find to get a detailed break down of your goal.

Set SMART Goals (from mindtools.com):

  • S – Specific (or Significant).
  • M – Measurable (or Meaningful).
  • A – Attainable (or Action-Oriented).
  • R – Relevant (or Rewarding).
  • T – Time-bound (or Trackable).

Discussion:

1. Is goal setting important? Why or why not?

2. How can setting goals help you discover new things about yourself and help you live your best life?

Activity:

 FREE Budget Tracking Sheets & other Financial Worksheets

FREE Blog Access (create a free blog to journal your progress in reaching your goals)

Why Set Goals? article

Treat:

Hot Chocolate & Marshmellows and No Bake Cookies

Hershey’s No Bake Cookies

Ingredients

  • 1 3/4 cups white sugar
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter
  • 3 cups quick-cooking oats
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
 Directions
  1. In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, milk, butter, and cocoa. Bring to a boil, and cook for 1 1/2 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in peanut butter, oats, and vanilla. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto wax paper. Let cool until hardened.
Filed Under: Activities, Couples, Couples, Families, Families With Children, FHE Lessons for All, Latter-day Saints, Newlyweds, Newlyweds, Single Groups, Tweens & Teens

FHE Service Project: Write Letters to Sick Children

2011
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Letters to Sick Children Service Project

Purpose: Jesus taught us by His teachings and His perfect example to bless those that are sick and afflicted. There are many seriously ill children in hospitals all over the world that would love to have your letters of hope and inspiration.

Lesson:

Have you ever had an earache, sore throat or the flu and felt miserable for a day, two or maybe for a week? There are many children all over that suffer from more serious illnesses that leave them bound in hospitals. Many are to weak to play and are unable to go outside, jump in piles of leaves, smell the fresh air or even play in the park.

During this holiday season, you can serve other children that are similar ages to those in your family by performing acts of service. One way is to visit them, go caroling at the hospitals, donate toys and even write letters.

Discussion: What are ways in which you can serve someone daily? Weekly? Monthly? How have you felt as you’ve been served? Share an experience of being served.

Goal Setting: Have family, group or ward members write at least one goal to be more active in serving those who are in need– like the sick and afflicted.

Service Project: Write letters to ill children in hospitals

Each member of the family, group or ward can participate in this service activity.

Gather paper, markers, crayons, stickers, etc. to make greeting cards to send to sick children in hospitals all over the country. If you live outside of the U.S., you can send letters to children in your own area/country or surprise some of these children with letters from all over the world!

Visit: Make A Child Smile (click to link to Web site)

You’ll see a list of children who would love to have your letters! You can click on their names to read more about them.

Treat:5-Minute Chocolate Pie

Ingredients: 1 Ready Graham Cracker Pie Crust 1 1/4 C. cold milk 2 pkg. (4- serving size) chocolate instant pie pudding mix 1 tub (8 oz.) whipped topping (thawed) 1. Beat milk, pudding and half the whipped topping together in medium bowl with a wire whisk for one minute. The mixture will thicken. 2. Pour into ready-made crust. 3. Top with remaining whipped cream. You can eat it right away or chill until ready to eat!
(recipe adapted from Keebler)

 

 

Filed Under: Activities, Couples, Families With Children, Family Home Evening, FHE Lessons for All, Lessons, Service Project Ideas, Service Projects, Tweens & Teens

Christmas Service Countdown Service

2011
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“Christmas Service Countdown Family Home Evening“
Purpose: To reflect on serving one another in our families during the Christmas season. Often times we can focus on selfish thoughts during this gift-giving season. It’s important that we strive to keep the focus on being selfless as our Savior was as we celebrate His birth.
 

Lesson: 
     “Over the years, many people, especially youth, have asked me, “Elder Cuthbert, how can I become more spiritual?” My reply has always been the same: “You need to give more service.
       Service changes people. It refines, purifies, gives a finer perspective, and brings out the best in each one of us. It gets us looking outward instead of inward. It prompts us to consider others’ needs ahead of our own. Righteous service is the expression of true charity, such as the Savior showed.” – Elder Derek A. Cuthbert, Ensign May 1990

Here are a list of ways service helps us become more spiritual:

1.      Helps us see true value in material things vs. things of the eternal value
2.      Service establishes a righteous tradition. Start serving when you’re young and that will lead to more willingness to serve throughout your life in the community and church.
3.      Service helps us overcome selfishness and sin.
4.      Service helps us generate love and appreciation.
5.      Service is the principle in which we show gratitude to our Savior.
 
Discussion:
~ What ways have you been served? How did it make you feel?
~ What are some ways that you’ve served others?
~ How did it make you feel when you’ve served someone else?
~ Why should we focus on service during the Christmas season?
Activity Ideas: *This activity requires prep work*
Prep work for countdown chain: Count down the days from FHE night until Christmas Day. Cut out equal sized strips of red and green construction paper to make the countdown chain. 
1.        Pick one of the ways stated below to use each section of your chain. Remember that the service continues and includes Christmas Day.
W  1. With each section of the chain you can write an act of service to perform as a family.
2.      2. Each night at dinner you can take a piece of the chain off and describe what acts of service each family member did during that day. 
Treat:
5-Minute Chocolate Pie

Ingredients:1 Ready Graham Cracker Pie Crust 1 1/4 C. cold milk 2 pkg. (4- serving size) chocolate instant pie pudding mix 1 tub (8 oz.) whipped topping (thawed) 1. Beat milk, pudding and half the whipped topping together in medium bowl with a wire whisk for one minute. The mixture will thicken. 2. Pour into ready-made crust. 3. Top with remaining whipped cream. You can eat it right away or chill until ready to eat!


Filed Under: Activities, Couples, Couples, Families, Families With Children, Family Home Evening, Lessons, Newlyweds, Newlyweds, Service Project Ideas, Service Projects, Single Groups, Tweens & Teens

Thanksgiving Day & Gratitude Lesson

2011
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Purpose: On the last Thursday of November, citizens of the United States of American celebrate Thanksgiving Day. We gather as family and friends in tradition of those that helped settle the land so many years ago. We reflect on those blessings in our lives that we are grateful for on this day.

**Note: This lesson can also be used in other areas this week to discuss gratitude.

Song: “Prayer of Thanksgiving”

Scripture: Psalms 100: 4-5

Lesson: Here are some wonderful quotes from our civic and church leaders on gratitude and Thanksgiving.

President Joseph F. Smith said, “that one of the greatest sins of which the inhabitants of the earth are guilty today is the sin of ingratitude.” (From Gratitude and Thanksgiving, President Marion G. Romney)

President Thomas S. Monson taught in “An Attitude of Gratitude” six things that we should be grateful for:

  • • Our mothers
    • Our fathers
    • Our teachers
    • Our friends
    • Our country
    • Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States, as part of a resolution in 1863:

“We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in number, wealth, and power as no other Nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God who made us.

“It behooves us, then, to humble ourselves before the offended power, to confess our … sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness.”

President Lincoln also proclaimed Nov. 30, 1863 as a day of national humiliation, fasting and prayer.

From “For The Strength Of Youth” Pamphlet: Gratitude

“The Lord wants you to have a spirit of gratitude in all you do and say. Live with a spirit of thanksgiving and you will have greater happiness and satisfaction in life. Even in your most difficult times, you can find much to be grateful for. Doing so will strengthen and bless you.

In your prayers, before you ask for blessings, pour out your heart to God in thanks for the blessings you have already received. Thank Him for your family, for friends and loved ones, for leaders and teachers, for the gospel, and for His Son, Jesus Christ.

You can also express gratitude to the Lord by the way you live. When you keep His commandments and serve others, you show that you love Him and are grateful to Him. Express appreciation to everyone who helps you in any way.”

Thanksgiving Church video:

Families W/ Small Children:

Families W/ Older Children, FHE Groups, Single Adult Wards: Give each person a blank sheet of paper and have them make four different lists.

List #1: Name 5 blessings you and/or your family has received this past year.

List #2: Name 5 people you are thankful for.

List #3: Name 5 ways you can be more thankful and show more gratitude.

List #4: Name 7 ways in which you will show gratitude this week. Each night over dinner, share with your family (or friends/roommates) how you had or showed gratitude or served someone that day.

**Allow people to share their lists if they would like. Sharing these experiences help to make the items listed that much more special and is a great bonding experience.

Treat: Marshmallow Pilgram Hat treats (this idea is sooo cute and easy to do–click on the link to take you to the recipe)

How to Make the Marshmallow Pilgram Hats Video

 

Filed Under: Couples, Families With Children, Lessons, Tweens & Teens

Establish House Rules With Your Children

2011
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Purpose: Each home should establish its own set of rules, values and guidelines. It helps create a feeling of a safe and secure environment for your children and friends that visit It also helps to clarify expectations and define boundaries in the home.

Use this lesson as a guide to helping create rules with your children (of all ages) as to what is expected of them in regards to their behavior. Talk about each rule that you want to make so that there is understanding from the beginning. This also helps give them ownership in what is expected to make the home run smoothly. Also teach that these are rules that they should follow wherever they go.

 

Lesson Materials: Bold writing utensil(s), poster board/large sheet of paper

Lesson: Making effective house rules with/for young children.

1. What are some things Mom and Dad (Guardian’s name) ask you to do?
2. What are some rules that we can follow at home? (Write down some ideas the kids have on one side of sheet/poster)
3. (Turn the poster/sheet over) These are the rules we will follow at home. Write 3-4 simple rules and explain how the rules they gave are a part of these. Draw/take pictures to go with rules.

 Sample House Rules:

1. Obey Your Parents: avoid arguing and do what is asked of you the first time.

2. Tell the Truth

3. Treat each other with respect and respect each other’s property.

4. Help out around the house: pick up after yourself, establish assigned chores and discuss rewards/penalties for not completing chores that are assigned. Talk about being rewarded for doing more than is asked, but how they could also be serving the family (without always having to be rewarded).

5. You get what you get, and you don’t throw a fit.

 

* Other ideas may be included and adapted for the ages of your children, such as curfew, dating guidelines, grooming and dress guidelines and so forth. The most important thing is to keep communication lines open with your children so they understand why these rules are important to you and the family.

 

Poster Example of House Rules:

Photo credit: sugardoodle.net


Filed Under: Families, Families With Children, Lessons, Tweens & Teens

Friendship

2011
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Purpose:  It is vital that we learn how to be good friends to others and teach children how to be a good friend and to surround themselves with good friends.
Lesson:

More Important Than Friendship

Name withheld

Have you ever had to ask yourself, “What’s more important, my friend or our friendship?” I faced that problem when a note fell out of my friend Kate’s * pencil pouch. I read it and realized that my friend was using drugs. I was devastated. I tried desperately to talk to her, but she ignored me.

Kate was my friend, and I realized that no matter what she said or did, her safety was most important to me. Every time I thought of it, I wanted to cry. I knew that Kate might never forgive me if I told on her, and she might tell my other friends that I wasn’t trustworthy. I asked my mom to help me, and we prayed, talked, and read the scriptures. I was looking for something to help me help my friend. We found a scripture that gave me courage to do whatever I had to do and to live with the consequences. I knew that if I did what was right, God would support me.

I decided to tell the resource officer about Kate’s drug problem. Later that afternoon Kate was called to the office. When we changed classes, she was with her guidance counselor and a police officer. Kate caught my eye, and I could tell she knew I had told on her.

Several weeks went by before Kate would talk to me. I dreaded what she would say, but I was surprised that she wasn’t angry anymore. Our friendship had changed, but in some ways, it was better than before. She seemed to understand that I had done it for her sake. I never wanted to lose her friendship, but it was more important to love her enough to try to stop her from hurting herself and the people who love and care for her.

Yes, this experience was painful, but I learned that if we “trust in the Lord with all [our] heart; and lean not unto [our] own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5), anything is possible.

(Excerpt from The Friend)

Discussion:
1. What does it mean to be a friend?
2. What are some important attributes that good friends have?
3. How can you be a good friend to others?

Activity:
   Friendship Letters~
Write letters (or draw pictures for the little children) to your friends letting them know the attributes that you love about them. Also be sure to thank them for being your friend.
Decorate the envelopes and deliver these to your friends.
If you have friends that have moved away, send them a letter in the mail to let them know how their friendship influenced you.  

Treat:

Cinnamon Spice Drop Cookies (from allrecipes.com)
  • 1 1/2 cups butter flavored shortening
  • 2 cups light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 cups cinnamon chips

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter flavored shortening, light brown sugar and dark brown sugar. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the milk and vanilla, blending until the mixture is light and fluffy. Combine the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, baking soda and salt; stir into the batter until well blended. Mix in cinnamon chips and if using, pecans. Drop rounded spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared cookie sheets about 2 inches apart.
  3. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, just until the cookies lose their gloss. Remove from the cookie sheets to wire racks to cool.
Filed Under: Families With Children, Tweens & Teens

Thanksgiving Fun

2010
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Thanksgiving Day Family Home Evening
Lesson For Young Children
Attention Activity:
Have each child take a handful of Reese’s Pieces (the fall colors are fun at Thanksgiving), M&M’s or another small candy. After everyone has taken some, go around the room and say something you are thankful for for each piece of candy you have. After you say each thing, eat the treat.
Discussion:

Heavenly Father has commanded us to be grateful for our blessings and to remember to thank him. Why is it important to remember to be thankful? How do we feel when we remember our blessings and thank Heavenly Father for them?

Louise Johnston, “Thanksgiving Is—,” Friend, Nov 1988, 47

T ime to think and time to pray.
H appiness with friends each day.
A pples ripe and rosy red.
N ighttime in my cozy bed.
K ittens purring soft and low.
S ilver moon and stars that glow.
G ardens, flowers, painted white.
I ce and snow and frosty night.
V ees that form when geese fly high
I n the clear blue autumn sky.
N eighbors’ visits, joy, and sharing.
G od, whose love is warm and caring.
*Parents: Take a moment to go around the family and tell each of your children why you are thankful for them and how special they are.
Thanksgiving activity ideas:
Week-long: Wall of Thanks
Choose a wall to dedicate to all of the things you are thankful for. Using a pad of sticky notes, write down something you are grateful for and stick it on the wall. Continue adding to the wall until it is full or you run out of sticky notes. It might be fun to give each person in the family a different color pad of sticky notes!
Other idea: Thankful Turkey
Make the body of a turkey using brown poster board (or color a white one!) by drawing a large circle and cutting it out. Draw a smaller circle for a head. Make an orange triangle beak and add a red gobbler. Draw feathers on cardstock. Have each member of the family decorate one or more feathers with some things they are most thankful for. Attach the feathers to the turkey and mount your thankful turkey on the wall. See the picture for a visual guide. Remember though that your turkey doesn’t have to look perfect! Your kids will love seeing their work on the wall and it will help them remember all of their blessings.
Treat idea:
These are so cute and easy. Fun for all!
Filed Under: Activities, Couples, Families, Families With Children, Service Project Ideas, Tweens & Teens
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