Just-Right Activity Nights

Stumped for things to do for activity night? Read on for New Era readers’ most memorable activities:

Learn formal table manners at a combined “etiquette dinner.”
Swing dance as part of a combined activity, or learn another kind of dance (see the Church’s Dance Manual, available with cassettes from your ward library or distribution center).
Host an “appreciation dinner” for the bishopric or an auxiliary presidency. Serve them as if they’re at a restaurant.
Have a New Era bowl. Ask everyone months in advance to read each issue of the magazine. At the bowl, ask teams predetermined questions about articles. Award small prizes to winning teams.
A stake in Vancouver, Washington, had a “Senior Prom.” Youth sent elderly members invitations to a dinner-dance, where they served dinner, provided entertainment, and learned great old dance steps from the “seniors.” They even had pictures like at a school prom.
Work on scrapbooks as part of your ward or personal history.
Have a “grandparent adoption night.” Ask the Relief Society president which elderly members need help or friendship.
Do baptisms for the dead. Or offer free baby-sitting on ward temple night.
Play broom hockey. Use brooms for sticks, cardboard boxes for goals, a tennis ball for a puck, and a gym for a rink.
Help a Laurel with her Laurel project or a Scout with his Eagle project.
A Warner Robins, Georgia, ward had a “family night,” in which parents joined the youth. Families were divided into groups and given a bag of props and an interesting family scenario (such as a family vacation, getting ready for church, etc.) to make up a skit about. The skits were fun and brought the families closer.

For more ideas, see The Activity Book, available from your ward library or distribution center.

Photography by Welden Andersen