LDS General Conference Toddler Attention Presents

Wasn't General Conference this past weekend awesome?! (Don't know what I'm talking about? see here or here or some awesome quotes from the weekend here) I have to share with you guys something- I have an almost 3 year old and a 6 month old and I listened to every talk. Store this away in the archives for October!

1. I went to the Dollar Store on Saturday morning ( I had been planning to all week but I didn't end up making it until the very last minute) and I bought treats, coloring books, little toys, and other activities listed below. 
2. I wrapped 6 things per session and divided them into bags. I did this so PB wouldn't open all the treats or activities in one session.
3. We set a timer on my husband's iPhone to go off every 20 minutes. This was flexible. We started with a 5 minute timer so she got the concept. 
4. We told her she had to be in the room and behaving to get the treat. She went off and played upstairs in the playroom for a bit. When she got back down we set a shorter timer so she could get another treat. 

It wasn't perfect but basically it took her the 20 minutes to get bored with an activity or eat her treat. If she finished early there were the activities she had already opened to occupy her. We brought in her little picnic table and she sat and did her activities at that table. 

She did awesome. I was worried that she would get upset that we were watching TV and it wasn't her show and Heaven forbid it wasn't "ELSA!" (Please tell me we're not the only ones that have watched it 20 times in the past two weeks). There were moments of mischief and she did take a good nap on Saturday so she had a bit of a break but overall it was a great experience.

Here is the list of what I bought:

• Two coloring books (big flop she didn't want to color at all)
• Velvet coloring sheet (like here but seriously don't buy it there because I got it at the Dollar Store)
•  Magic Paint booklet (like here I got it at Michael's) 
• Furreal Spinner (like here)
• Jewelry Links (like here)
• Candy- Fruity Tootsie Rolls, Airheads, fruity Mike and Ikes, Sugar Babies. I chose these because I could separate each one out into multiple presents
• Snacks (not from the Dollar Store) Goldfish, animals crackers, fruit snacks

Here are a couple pictures we took of the girls.

In the #10 can there are crayons and she's painting with water in the bowl in the Magic Paint book she got

 I also pinned a bunch of other ideas found here on Wayward Girls Crafts' Pinterest page.

Here is a post from last year that we did as well. None of the Pinterest pictures are working but the links work. 

Do you have an idea that works for you?

General Conference Roundup!

This weekend marks the semi-annual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is the time when we get to hear from our Prophet and Apostles and other general leadership of the church.

It's also a time when we get to wrestle through eight hours of church with small children. To that end, there are lots and lots of awesome resources for making conference more enjoyable for kids!

Here are some things we've covered in the past

Packet & More ideas

Grownup General Conference Kits

More General Conference ideas via WGC on Pinterest

Resources on LDS.org

LDS General Conference Packets (and other ideas)

LDS Church General Conference infographic

Last week for our activity in Achievement Day girls (8-11 year-olds) we made General Conference Packets.There are quite a few options out there after a search I found I liked this one best by Jenny Phillips for the girls.

Before I copied the packets for the girls I added a quick reminder when General Conference would be and where they could watch it, on the front page.

What are you doing this year for you kids?

Here are some other great ideas I found for General Conference on Pinterest. (These include ideas for younger kids as well):

Source: sassysites.blogspot.com viaKylia on Pinterest

Source: brandyscrafts.blogspot.com viaBrandy Nelson on Pinterest

Source: sassysites.blogspot.com viaAnnie on Pinterest

Source: therhouse.com viaNatalie on Pinterest

Source: gratefulfortheride.blogspot.com viaLive Craft Eat on Pinterest

General Conference Kits

So, as I've mentioned, all of us Wayward Girls are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sometimes called "Mormon," One really neat thing about our church is that twice a year we get to hear from our church leaders in a worldwide broadcast. This includes a living prophet, just like Noah and Moses.  We call this meeting General Conference.

 

I wanted to prepare a goodie bag for the sisters I visit teach in preparation for Conference. Visiting teaching is another program in our church, set up to take care of every individual. Two women are assigned to visit another woman monthly and share a spiritual message. They are also directed to pray for this sister throughout the month and help minister to her needs. I wanted to help the sisters I visit teach gear up for conference. I put together these little kits to help.

Here are the contents: 

A notebook and nice pen to take notes

Hot Tamales to help you stay awake!

M&Ms to much on

Tissues, in case you tear up

Cost break down:

Notebook: $1

Pen: $0.50

Tissues: $0.15

Hot Tamales: $1

M&Ms: $0.79

Bag: $0.50

Total:  $3.94

I also plan to write a little note about conference, maybe something like this. I'm really excited for General Conference, and invite you to check it out. 

What would you put in this kit?