I remember one General Conference Sunday so clearly.
The house was quiet for about… three minutes.
Then the whispering started.
Then the wiggling (which, I can’t complain about because I love the snuggles that come from them).
Then someone needed a snack.
Another needed the bathroom.
And before I knew it, I was shushing more than I was listening.
I sat there thinking, Why does this feel so hard?
This is supposed to be peaceful.
Uplifting.
Spirit-filled.
Instead, I felt overwhelmed, distracted, and honestly… a little discouraged.
If you’ve ever tried to listen to General Conference with kids, you know that feeling.
You want them to love it. You want them to feel the Spirit.
But they’re kids with enough energy to charge a small city.
Sitting still and listening for hours isn’t exactly how they’re wired.
These little moments eventually led me to a different way of seeing things.
Nothing changed about my kids—but everything changed in how I approached their conference experience.
Why General Conference Can Feel Hard for Kids
Before we jump into solutions, it helps to understand the struggle.
General Conference is built for adults. I do love the speakers who share they’re speaking to the children.
After Sister Susan Porter finished her talk in the April 2026 General Conference and Elder Neil Andersen got up and said, “now I’m going to speak to God’s older children” my 7-year old shouted, “I’m an older child!”
Without missing a beat my 13-year old replied, “He means the old adults.”
Beause a lot of the time the messages are deep, the pace is slow, and the format is long.
For children, that can feel overwhelming (and why the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ‘Friend to Friend’ broadcasts, and their Gospel for Kids channel on YouTube does so well).
Kids don’t learn best by sitting still for hours. They learn by:
- Moving
- Creating
- Playing
- Asking questions
So when we expect them to experience Conference the same way we do, it often leads to frustration—for them and for us.
The goal isn’t perfection. The goal is helping them to fall in love with Jesus and his gospel.
The Moment That Changed Everything
One Conference, I stopped trying to force quiet and stillness.
Instead, I asked myself a simple question:
What if I helped my kids experience Conference in a way that fits how they learn?
That’s when I started using simple, intentional general conference activities for kids.
And something surprising happened.
They weren’t just quieter.
They were engaged.
They were listening—in their own way.
And I was finally able to listen too.
Simple General Conference Activities for Kids That Actually Work
These activities aren’t complicated. You won’t need to spend hours preparing.
1. Conference Bingo
Create a bingo card with things kids might hear or see:
- “Jesus Christ”
- “Prophet”
- A speaker telling a story
- A scripture being read
Each time they hear something, they mark it off.
Why it works: It gives kids something to listen for without overwhelming them.
2. Draw What You Hear
Give your child paper and crayons and invite them to draw something from the talk.
It could be:
- A story
- A feeling
- A person
- A word they recognize
Why it works: Drawing helps kids process what they’re hearing in a creative way.
3. Quiet Activity Bags
Prepare small bags with quiet activities like:
- Coloring pages
- Puzzles
- Stickers
- Lacing cards
Rotate them every session to keep things fresh.
Why it works: It gives their hands something to do so their minds can stay more focused.
4. Speaker Matching Game
Print out pictures of the speakers and let kids match them as they come up.
You can also let them keep track of:
- How many speakers
- Who spoke the longest
- Who told a cool story
Why it works: It turns listening into a game.
5. “Listen for One Thing” Challenge
Instead of expecting your child to listen to everything, ask them to listen for just one thing:
- One word
- One idea
- One scripture
Afterward, let them share it.
Why it works: It simplifies the experience and builds confidence.
6. Conference Snack Tray
Create a special snack tray that only comes out during Conference.
Each snack can correlate with the life of an Apostle or Prophet (where they grew up, served their mission, family favorite treat, etc.)
Why it works: It makes Conference feel special and gives kids something to look forward to.
7. Build While You Listen
Let kids use:
- Blocks
- Legos
- Magnetic tiles
Give them a challenge like: “Build a scene from your favorite scripture story” or “Build a temple.”
Why it works: Movement and creativity help kids stay engaged longer.
8. Take Notes… Kid Style
Older kids can write:
- Words they hear often
- Questions they have
- Things they feel
Younger kids can circle pictures or trace words.
Why it works: It helps them interact with the message in an age-appropriate way.
Creating a Peaceful Conference Atmosphere at Home
The activities you do with your children are just one piece to a puzzle.
Here are a few simple ways to help you set a peaceful tone in the home:
Start with Intention
Say a simple prayer together before Conference starts. Invite your kids to listen for something that will help them.
Keep Expectations Realistic
Your kids won’t sit perfectly still. And that’s okay.
Progress matters more than perfection.
Take Breaks
Let them move between sessions. Go outside. Reset.
Celebrate Effort
Instead of focusing on what they didn’t do, notice what they did:
- “I loved how you listened for that story.”
- “You did such a great job staying quiet during that talk.”
Encouragement goes a long way.
What Happened When I Let Go of Perfection
That Conference Sunday I mentioned earlier?
It didn’t magically become silent.
There were still wiggles.
Still whispers.
1,000 snack requests.
But there was something different.
My daughter held up her drawing and said, “Mom, this is Jesus helping someone.”
My son whispered, “I heard them say faith three times.”
And in that moment, I realized something important.
They were listening. Just not in the way I expected.
And honestly?
That was enough.
A Gentle Reminder for Moms
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, I want you to hear this:
You are not failing.
Teaching kids to love General Conference is not about creating a perfectly quiet home. It’s about creating small, meaningful moments over time.
Moments where they:
- Hear truth
- Feel peace
- Learn to recognize the Spirit
Even if it’s just for a few minutes at a time.
Those moments will add up. “By small and simple things are great things brought to pass.“
A Simple Takeaway You Can Try This Conference Weekend
If everything feels like too much, start here:
Choose just one activity.
That’s it.
Maybe it’s bingo.
Maybe it’s drawing.
Maybe it’s just asking your child to listen for one thing.
You don’t need to do everything to make a difference.
Final Encouragement
You don’t have to choose between listening to Conference and caring for your kids.
That kind of choice should never be made.
And there’s a way you can encourage your children in their discipleship, while still spiritually feeding yourself.
With a few simple general conference activities for kids, you can do both.
Not perfectly. But intentionally.
And that’s what they’ll remember most.
Micah Klug is a homeschooling mother to five children and an author. She teaches time-tested solutions to help parents remember what matters most in life, including strengthening their home, faith, and family relationships. To learn how a child who grew up in an authoritarian home is now creating an environment of peace and joy in her own home visit this page. If you want to contact Micah, send her an email here or email [email protected].
