Conference Baskets
by Sharee Zirker / ga09292006

One thing that I have done as I have a 7 yr old, a 5 yr old and a 3 year old is Conference Baskets. They love them, in fact my oldest asked me the other day if we were going to have our baskets again. I get loads of ideas from different websites. I make the baskets like an Easter basket. They have all types of food (more snack type food), Bingo board with candy of course for the markers, prophet and apostle cards to identify the speaker, Memory cards of each of the twelve and presidency, a word search, some other activities this year. It is fun. I don't expect them to sit and listen all the time but with these baskets it keeps them busy and then I get to enjoy conference. I was surprised at how much they did listen even if it was just for the words and pictures on their Bingo boards. I love this and it will continue to be one of our family traditions. This will be our 4th conference with the baskets and I love them.
 

Additional comments by Margaret Hammond - (ga10012006)

I added a few different things to the basket for each session so there was a little variety:

Silly putty
Pictures of all the Apostles on a page (to cut out and tape on the wall as they spoke)
Drawing paper and crayons
Conference Bingo cards* (see below for an idea for these)
A little film canister full of M&Ms to mark spaces on the Bingo card
Pistachios
Dollar store toys that were not too disruptive
Disposable camera to photograph conference scenes here at home
Animal crackers in the mini box

Another idea I've had is to create Conference Bingo cards between conferences from the pictures in the Friend. Once a Friend magazine is finished being used, I go through and cut out pictures that can be used on a conference Bingo card. I like to put the cards in a sheet protector and then the kids can either put little stickers on the card (and it's reusable because of the sheet protector), or use candies to mark spaces. I think the stickers work better...the candies were just being eaten at our house!
 

Creating a “Conference Basket” by Michele T. Adams, Ensign, Oct. 2005,  70–71
 

As a single mom of three girls ranging from Primary age to midteens, I wanted to help them attentively watch general conference. But conference weekend usually occurs when they are at their father’s home. Undeterred, I decided to start a tradition of making a conference basket for them to take with them so that I can also be part of their enjoyment of conference. Included is a special poem from me and activity booklets I create ahead of time for each daughter. I also add a variety of fun goodies—a new box of crayons, pencils, novelty erasers, and a large bag of chocolate candies, for example.
 

The booklets, titled “My General Conference Report,” each contain space for jotting down notes of conference proceedings: who conducted, who gave opening and closing prayers, who sang the music, and which songs were sung. There are also pages for taking notes on each talk. The child lists the speaker and his or her Church calling, the subject spoken about, and any prominent scripture references used. These pages show simple illustrations of the conference pulpit, prompting the children to draw each speaker, a practice that helps them to better remember the names and faces. Additional pages often offer simple games, such as word searches and “tic-talk-toe”—all with a conference theme.
 

I save my booklets on the computer to make changing or reprinting them easy. But simply writing down the ideas in a notebook for your child would work too. Whether your children are with you at conference or away from home, this simple idea can help them focus on the important messages shared.
 

Following each conference I am pleased to review my children’s booklets. Knowing that they watched all the sessions and took notes helps me be more attentive to conference as well.