Purpose
Strengthen families by strengthening relationships between parents and children.
Activity Suggestion
Plan a parent-child activity that helps children and parents learn more about each other. Be sensitive to children who may not be living with their parents. Invite a parent (or another family member) to come with their child to the activity.
Consider the following activities:
- Invite each parent and child to bring an item from home that represents something they like about themselves. Ask each parent and child to explain to the group the item they brought. If you have a large group, you could break into smaller groups.
- Play “How Well Do You Know Each Other?”
- Separate parents and children, and invite them to answer questions about their child or parent. Questions could include the following: What is your parent’s/child’s favorite food? favorite family tradition? favorite place to visit? favorite animal?
- Ask the children and the parents to write down or remember their answers.
- Bring the children and parents back together, and see how well they know each other. This could be done in a game, where parents and children take turns sitting in front of the group and comparing answers, with each matching answer receiving a point. The pair with the most points could win a prize. Answers could also be compared informally or in private conversations.
Please adapt activities as necessary to ensure all individuals are able to participate, belong, and contribute.
Adaptation Ideas
- Invite parents and children to teach each other fun activities, like games, dances, or music. Parents could also teach children simple life skills, such as how to help prepare a simple meal.
- Include a dance, relay races, or other games that allow parents and children to work as a team. Invite another church or group to join you.
- Service idea: As part of the activity, invite parents and children to create a thank-you card or gift for their child or parent. Ask them to write or draw something that they love about the other person.
Discussion
Encourage children to talk about how what they are learning can help them and others grow closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Discussions can take place before, during, or after the activity and should last just a few minutes. You could ask questions like the following:
- What is special about your parent or family member? Discuss how no two families are exactly the same. Families come in all shapes and sizes, and each has different traditions, favorite activities, and rules.
- What other kinds of groups or “families” do we belong to? Discuss how other “families” might include a ward family, a community, a nation, and even the world as God’s family.
- What does it mean to be part of Heavenly Father’s family? Discuss how we are all beloved children of Heavenly Parents.