Click here for the suggested activities from the girls Faith in God manual.

We have created a word document that helps the girls work through each of the 5 requirements for Preparing for Young Women's.  Please feel free to post this on the website for other leaders to copy and use.  We have put them into folders for the girls and meet on the 5th Thursday's with the 11 year old girls only.  This gives us some guidance when working through each of the requirements. (Shared by Natalie Francis / ga08132007)

Babysitting Bags - Here are some ideas of things the girls could have in their bags:

-Quick and easy children's games
-Index card(s) that showed how to turn off the water in case of a water problem
-Packet of coloring sheets/books and crayons
-Story books
-Memory card game
-Bubbles

Review with them things you feel are important.  Like for example, how fast a child could get into trouble if not paid attention to.  If you have children, have the girls divide into groups and "pretend to babysitt" each of your children for ten-twenty, minutes.   Have them play with your kids, have them ask questions and train them on what you look for in a babysitter. Encourage the girls to become trained in First Aid and CPR. Bring everyone together at the end and have them share what they've learned.  Babysitting Form

Babysitting Workshop - Using a "fishing game" as a tool, we discussed babysitting safety issues and first aid and emergency numbers. The girls got to each take a "fishing game" home to start their Babysitting Kit. The game consisted of a wooden dowel with fishing line attached. At the end of the line, I attached a strong magnet. The girls colored and cut out the paper fish, which I had copied on cardstock. On the back of the fish were attached a question with a big paper clip. The girls then could each fish out of a bowl a safety or first aid question for class discussion. They all pretended that they were little kids as I read them a couple of my favorite story books. We discussed items that they could bring with them in their babysitting kit--an age-appropriate game or two, including the fishing game, some toys, story books, maybe a treat for the children. (Idea by Jeannie Bretzing)

Budgeting Activity

Candle Dipping - When candle makers dip candles, the first dips are not very noticeable. But each dip of the candle holds more wax and slowly a candle emerges and takes shape. Each experience that a girl has in the young Women's program puts more "wax" on to her candle and by the end of 6 years, there is a beautiful, well tapered Young Woman 'candle'.

Card catalog your ideas - Something that youth get opportunities to do is to speak in sacrament meeting.  Have the girls start a collection of their favorite quotes, stories, and scriptures for future talks. Put it in a recipe holder or card file for easy storage and quick access. Label the tops of the cards with subject headings and alphabetize the subject headings.

Friendship Activity

Good Manners and Table Setting - Topics covered were: Being kind to others (we hurt others when we exclude them or are rude to them), the magic words PLEASE and THANK YOU (also importance of writing thank-you notes for gifts, etc.), proper way to introduce someone, telephone etiquette (we did some role playing with this one), showing respect for older people, concert & movie manners, and basic table setting & table manners. The hit of the evening was an activity on napkin folding. They practiced two different folding techniques--"bunny ears" and the "hat". Hope this helps. (Idea by Jeannie Bretzing)

Have an activity where you focus on memorizing the Young Women Theme.  It can't hurt to get a head start. 

I am of infinite worth - Read the book "You Are special" by Max Lucado and discussed how this story related to self-esteem. The girls filled out sheets "What I'm Good At" and listened to a story of a girl who let others tear down her self-esteem with their comments and actions (I used a silhouette of a girl and tore pieces off as the story progressed). Discussed ways to prevent this from happening. Played the game "Jenga" to demonstrate that if we let others hurt us with their comments and actions, our self esteem will come crashing down just like the blocks of this game. Concluded with the idea that we are all responsible for our own happiness and we need to remember that we are daughters of God, created by Him in His image. Only you can choose how to feel about yourself. (Idea by Jeannie Bretzing)

I mailed a month calendar to each girl with 30 star stickers.  They were encouraged to read their scriptures or pray everyday that month.  Each day they were to put a star on that date if they completed it.  Then at our first meeting of the next month, they brought back their calendars and for each star they got a prize.  (I had got different colored jelly beans and they got to pick one for each star).   Almost every girl had completed the whole month or more than half the month. (by Sheila Lewis)

Laundry Relay - Teach the girls how to sort out clothes and how to wash them.  Then do a relay race between them and have them sort a pile of clothes the right way. Also teach them to iron using handkerchiefs (they are small and easy to iron).

Learn how to lead music - You may need to ask someone for help if you don't know how to do this yourself.  I just know that sooo many young women do not know how to lead and when called upon they seem embarrassed.  Learn how to lead all different kind of tempos.... 2/2 music, 3/4 music and 4/4 music.  Learn basic note values and names.

Make Dream catchers and set personal goals to get to be the person we dream of becoming.

Money-Money-Money - Part of becoming a responsible young woman is learning how to budget, save and take care of your money.  We called many banks to see if we could get a tour, finally one agreed. We have asked the manager to talk about deposits, withdrawals, where does the money go after a deposit, visit the vault and talk about safety deposit boxes, opening an account, and why do people come to the bank. Of course we also said that the manager could add anything else. The girls are really excited to do this.

Preparing for Young Women Activity by Karen Forrest

Public Speaking - Learn skills needed for public speaking.  A great talk to base your activity off of would be this talk by Thomas W. Ladanye from the February 1982 Ensign called, "The Six Best Talks I Ever Heard."

Review Stranger Danger and Life Saving Skills

Tee-Pee-ing - Part of preparing for Young Women's is learning to fellowship.  Create some cardboard Tee-Pee's, color them and decorate. Write on the Tee-Pee's:  "_____ (name), you are a "T"-rrific Person!"  Go to the house of each girl who didn't show up and stick them in her yard. (Idea by Melanie Litton)

You may want to contact your Young Women President and see if it would be possible to have one activity with the Young Women.  By inviting the Activity Day Girls, they can see what Young Women's will require of them.