MUTUAL -- COMBINED YM/YW ACTIVITIES
A Test of Faith
Murder Mystery Dinner
New Era (Feb 1992) ideas
Missionary Week
YOU MUST CHOOSE, BUT CHOOSE WISELY: - 
- The evening was a Mystery Dinner with a twist. As we make
choices throughout our lives we must also be accountable for those choices.
Whether we ourselves are accountable for our own chices or whether
we allow others to direct our choices, the consequences are the same.
The tables were set, and at each place setting was a number and a corresponding
number at a place setting on the opposite table. If we had an odd
number of youth, one of the brethren would be captured and brought to stand
accountable. The menus were distributed, the choices were made.
Main Course: choose 1 item. Cold stuff, Cup
of cure.
Dessert: choose 2 items, Messy Marvin, Johnny
Cakes, Mr. Wiggle and Dirty Doe.
Appetizers: choose 3 items. Amazing Maze, Cross
Graine, Fence Posts, Pebbles, Sea Beds, and Lily of the Field. All
had now received their dishes and had returned to their place..No one was
allowed to eat until all had been served. Now the plates remained,
but the youth had to trade places with the corresponding place on
the opposite table. This represents what happens when we let others
make choices for us. "Life is like a box of chocolates, you never
know what you're going to get. But life is not like a box of
chocolates. We are in control of our own destiny. Some of the youth
had made good choices for their own plate, but now they are forced to endure
other peoples choices. The process was repeated and this time they kept
what they had chosen. Now they can be accountable for the choices they
have made. The evening was a big success.
The menu items were disquised as: Main Course:
Cold Stuff = Chili; Cup of Cure = Chicken Noodle Soup.
Dessert: Messy Marvin = ice cream bar; Johnny
Cakes = apple fritters; Mr. Wiggles = gummy worms; Dirty Doe = oreo cookies
Appetizers: Amazing Maze = cube of butter; Cross Grane = bread; Fence
Posts = carrot sticks; Pebbles = olives; Sea Beds = lettuce; and Lily of
the Field = cauliflower. Of course you can make up your own menu....
-- Sidney Montana Ward - Sis. Beigh
IRON ROD ACTIVITY: I would like to tell you
about a very successful combined activity we did. We took a rope
and threaded it through the cultural hall having it bend at 8 stations.
At these stations we had temptors, money, donuts, pretend lottery tickets,
$50.00 gift certificates, $10,000 limit credit cards, basket ball dunk
for $20.00, candy, and games. Between each station we had 1 question
that had 2 correct answers but the youth had to give the most correct answer.
Now that I have set up the event let me take you back to the very beginning.
(CLICK HERE
for the rest of the activity)
DRIVE-IN MOVIE: - Our Young Men came up with
this idea. We are having a drive-in movie. The kids all have
to furnish cardboard cars and quote a scripture to get their ticket in
to the theatre. We will have a condiments booth with candy, popcorn
and pop and we will be showing "How Rare A Possession".
CARNIVAL: - The other night we had a carnival
with booths of games. To get tickets you had to fill out a
questionaire with ?'s like "have you read your scriptures at least
3 times this week?" There were about 10 ?'s. However many you
answered that you did that certain thing that week, you got that many tickets
to play games. There were peopel in the Primary room giving out more
tickets that you could earn by memorizing scriptures and saying them, singing
primary songs, Articles of Faith, playing some songs on the piano, etc.
Tthere was also someone giving out tickets for free where the fair
was. He asked if you wanted any, and he took your name if he gave
you some. Then later
we all met up in a room. The people that
had around 20 or more tickets that earned them got the highest kingdom.
The people that got around 10 or so got the middle kingdom.
The people that got 0 or got free tickets without working for them
got the lowest kingdom. The person who was giving out the free tickets
was secretly supposed to be the devil...and instead of them trying to work
for the tickets, they got tricked into getting them free. Then they
talked about the kingdoms and perfecting your talents. Then
the people in the highest kingdom got a brownie, ice cream, sprinkles,
cherry, and chocolate. The people in the middle kingdom got a brownie
and some ice cream. The people in the lowest kingdom only got a brownie.
It was really neat how they thought up how to do that.
DINNER'S ALL TIED UP: - - I have a neat idea
for a combined YM/YW activity. Everyone sits at a table (set them
up in a horse shoe shape). Seat everyone boy-girl then tie their hands
together with a piece of cloth or something then serve them dinner while
both their hands are tied to their neighbors. If you want to eat
you have to cooperate with your neighbors. Beware it could be messy,
but is fun and teaches sharing.
FAITH WALK: - The idea for a Faith Walk where
the YW/YM are gathered together by someone singing "Come Follow Me".
...use this at Youth Conference. It's located at: http://mormons.org/
ARTICLES OF FAITH ICE CREAM BAR: - Several weeks
before the activity we tell the youth to study the Articles of Faith.
On the night of the activity, we have 13 booths set up. Each
youth moves from booth to booth reciting the Article of Faith.
Before the Activity the leaders choose which booths represent which ice
cream topping. We did not tell the youth. For example,
if they recited A. of F. #1 they would get a bowl, for #2 they would
get a spoon. We had ice cream at booth #8. Almost every
youth passed off every one except for a few. Each
youth had a piece of paper that they had signed off
at each booth. Everyone had fun and at the same time were focused
on something important. Susie Bailey
PANCAKE BAKEOFF: - We had a Pancake bakeoff.
We paired off into groups of two. The YM provided the batter and
we had to bring everything else. We had four categories - Plain Pancakes,
the Most Decorative, the Best tasting and the Most Creative. We also
used the Bishopric for judges. It was one of our best YM/YW Combined
Activities ever. June
PIZZA BAKE-OFF: - We had a great activity dealing
with team work and unity. We had a pizza bake-off. Each class
was to provide all the ingredients for their pizza and it could be whatever
kind they decided. Everyone of course had to pull through to make
it work. We had just the plain old pepperoni from our deacons, a
garlic chicken from our MiaMaids and a couple of dessert pizzas and at
least one other kind. We made the dough and the kids topped them.
We played volleyball while they cooked and the bishopbric was the judges.
The judges came up with the idea for awards as they tasted. It was
a fun night for all! ~Michelle
TICKET TO PARADISE: - You've probably heard
of this as the airplane crash or other title. I don't know where it originated
but lots of wards across US have done it. It works best with a large group.
We told the youth that we were going to have a Hawaiian party and assigned
food for them to bring (Hawaiian Haystacks, Hawaiian punch, Fruit kabobs,
etc.) and told them to dress Hawaiian that night. The Sunday before
we passed out their official invitations (imitation plane tickets) complete
with assigned seats and itennerary. When the youth arrived, they
were allowed to visit for awhile and then they were told it was time to
board the plane. We had a podium set up outside the overflow area where
and "agent" took their tickets. They could not swap seats. If they forgot
their tickets, or did not have one, they had to wait to the end for standby
seats. Chairs were set up in rows. We had a flight attendant from the other
ward act as stewardess who gave out flight wings, did the "crash talk"
and served soda and pretzels after takeoff during which we showed a movie
"Blue Hawaii". Let the movie run for about 15 minutes (they will
think it's lame). Then lights flash, the pilot announces for all to be
seated and buckled, smoke (dry ice) appears.... (We had a local member
who works at a radio station make up a sound tape so it was more real).
Then all the lights go out and they sit in the dark for several minutes.
Then they hear a voice announcing that flight (??) has crashed and they
are sorry to report that there are no survivors, a little more silence,
then the doors to chapel open where a priesthood member is on the stand
dressed in white. You could have a spotlight on him. (We had both Bishops
open the doors and escort the youth to the benches. They were dressed in
white as well as any other leaders waiting in the chapel area.) We had
the stake president on the stand who after being joined by the bishops,
spoke on being prepared to meet the Maker at any moment. He spoke
for about 10-15 mins. Then excuse the youth to the culteral hall where
they eat and have the Hawaiian party promised. They were also given
leighs when they boarded the plane.
Alternative: I've heard of this done as a ward activity
on temple marriage. Same sort of thing only after the crash, anyone who
was not sealed
had their children taken away to another room, even
if they were crying. It made a big impression.
Note: If you do this activity it is important that
the fewer people and leaders that know what's happening the better. If
word gets out it ruins the
results. -- Maria Vaughan--Hoover AL.
A TEST OF FAITH: -
To see this program, click here
MALE/FEMALE RELAY RACE: - A fun
outdoor activity is a battle of the sexes relay race. You set up
two sides girls on one, boy on the other. Your course is set up of
various things the typically either girls are better at or boys are better
at. Some of the things we did were. Station 1. Change a cloth diaper
on a doll. Station 2. Have two cars ready for them to have to pop
the hood and find the battery, the spark plugs, and the carborator. Station
3. Have them paint someones figurenails or their own if they will,
most YM won't (smile). Station 4. Tie a tie. etc. etc.
We did a total of 6 staions. Can do more or less depending on your #'s.
These are just some ideas, you can do anything. Kids get a kick out
of this one. I am doing this again, !st time in this ward.
If you have any really great new Station ideas let me know.
Sue
Roquemore, San Antonio, Texas
GROUP ACTIVITY: - You need 2 seperate
rooms for this activity. Divide the kids up into groups and have
them go from room to room. Each room is dark except for a small light,
or a few electric candles. Each room has a different leader who is the
story teller. Have someone who can get into the story, and make it seem
really real.
Room one story: We are all out on an outing.
We see a cave. We decide to go explore. We get deeper and deeper
in the cave, it's dark.
We hear a noise. It's water. It begins
to fill the area where we are at. There is no way out. We notice
a ledge that will fit one person.
Whoever is on this ledge will stay out of harms way,
everyone eles will die. (KEY TO STORY) Ask the kids to really think
here about the next question then have them answer it one by one.
The question is are you the one who is to live or die, why, if not you
then who, and what would you have the person who is to live tell your family
and friends. P.S. ONLY ONE WILL LIVE NO EXCEPTIONS!!! smile
Room 2: Is any story that has to do with someone
who's made a mistake in their life. This one needs to be geared for
YOUR youth, where they
need to change a little. The main thing is at
the end of the story the leader has a paper attached to a piece of cardboard.
You ask the youth
to think of anything they may have done wrong this
past week. Large or small, Gossip, cheating, lying, not obeying parents
etc. Then you pass
around the cardboard with a pair of scissors.
Have each youth punch a hole in the cardboard. When everyone is done.
The leader takes the
paper off the cardboard and opens it, all will see
a picture of Christ and the holes they've made.
How you end this is up to you, go with the spirit. But I have found
there really isn't alot that needs to be said except maybe, Don't wait
to tell your family you love them, and Christ atoned for ALL our sins.
We all caused some of those drops of blood. This is very chopped
up, each story should take about 15 min. with 15
min. to talk about it. It is a very humbling
experience for the kids and us leaders.
Brian
and Sue Roquemore, San Antonio, Texas
NEW YEAR KICK-OFF: - To kick off the new year,
and the fact that we have all new Young Women's and Young Men's Presidencies
in our ward, we are having a "Getting to Know You" night. All youth
and leaders will bring their favorite snack food for refreshments.
They will also bring a favorite board game. We will have everyone
fill out a questionaire all about their interests when they first arrive
(including the leaders) We will play board games and eat snacks for
the first hour. The last 1/2 hour we will play a culminating activity
using a
"GIANT" twister game that was made for our girl's
camp last year. We will let a member of the Bishopric call the colors
and body parts to avoid getting too "touchy". It should be fun, and
we will later use the answers we collect for a family feud game later on
in the year.
Cindy Woodard, Medford Oregon 4th Ward.
A GAME OF CLUE:
- Murder Mystery Dinner used at Halloween or any time. (click
here)
MYSTERY DINNER: - We told all the youth
that we were flying to Hawaii. On mutual night we used the over flow
as an airplane, we had the chairs set up in rows, 3 to each side.
In the lobby we used the pulpit as the check in counter (at the airport).
They got their ticket and had a seat to wait to be boarded. We then
let them board the plane. The "pilot" welcomed them on the flight,
the stewardess' (YW leaders dressed in Hawaiian attire) told them
to buckle up (pretend) and then continued to explain emergency landing,
etc. We then served them peanuts and soda, when all of a sudden we
were hijacked (by the YM leaders w/ bandana's to cover their faces
and water guns). We were screaming they were telling us to stay seated.....
etc. (really ham this up).......anyway they hijacked us to Mexico, luckily
we arrived safely
and had a Mexican fiesta. It was a lot of fun
and very yummy! Shaila
GENERAL CONFERENCE ACTIVITY: - We had a great
activity Saturday morning for our joint YM/YW. Leaders got together
and cooked breakfast -- crepes, eggs with ham and cheese, bagels, donuts,
toast, bacon, etc., etc., etc. We do this every year to get the youth
together to watch the Saturday morning session of conference. We
start eating at about 8:15, and they're done before conference starts (9:00
a.m. here in Calif). Just before conference starts, we pass out "conference
bingo" - actually a primary game... and when they hear the designated
words, they blank out a square. They tend to work in groups, and
have a good time listening. This is a favorite activity of the youth
every year. Sue
NEW ERA - FEBRUARY 1992 ISSUE: - Lists
many different ideas for activities. Click
here
SCRIPTURE MASTERY SKIT NIGHT: - We had a joint
activity called scripture mastery skit night. We divided the youth into
groups of 5, and made sure that there were a couple of seminary students
in each group. Each group was given 5 scripture mastery scriptures, and
then all groups were sent to different rooms (with a leader) for 15 min,
to make a skit. In the skit they had to use the scriptures given. It could
be a subtle use, or some said them right out. But it had to go along with
the skit. We came back together after the 15 min, and performed the skits
for each other. A panel of 3 judges was given the scriptures that each
group was to use and were to judge each group on a scale from 1 to 10 for
creativity , performance and recognizable use of the scriptures. Scores
were tallied and the winning group recieved little candy bars as prize.
The skits were great and all enjoyed. Be glad to answer any questions.
Tawnie
BOOK OF MORMON BATTLE: - We as the Young Women
and Young Men are having a "Book of Mormon Battle." We are counting
pages for the next 3 months to see which group reads the most. Then
at the end, for the joint activity, the loser will make and serve dinner
to the loser. To help start off this challenge, we had a fireside
to help them become familiar with the Book of Mormon stories. We
had it at one of the leaders home and told the youth to bring their scriptures.
The laurels presidency had previously picked 7 stories from the Book of
Mormon and each written a discription of the story. We then divided
into groups (Beehives, Deacon, Leaders, etc...) and each had to perform
a skit on one of the stories the Laurels had assigned us. The leaders
did their own skit, so the youth were on their own. They did a great
job and everyone had fun learning the Book of Mormon stories!
SPIRITUAL MARITHON: - Annually we hold a Spiritual
Marathon with the YM/YW. It is held on a Friday or Saturday night.
The kids come at 7:30 p.m. There are workshops, guest speakers and
activities designed to strengthen their understanding of gospel principles,
etc. One year one of the seminary teachers came and did quite a presentation.
We have had different community members who are LDS come and speak on the
contributions LDS values can have on society, etc. We break at about
9:00 for light snacks and drinks and then go until 11:00 or so. We
order pizza from a pizza delivery service and have pizza and rootbeer floats
the last hour so the kids can socialize and then take them home at midnight.
SPECIAL NEEDS MIA: - Last year, we had the Special
Needs Mutual present a sacrament meeting in our ward. This mutual
unit provides YM/YW activites for youth with varying disabilities and handicaps.
In exchange for presenting the sacrament meeting, they ask that the ward
provide a service for their MIA. Our YW were asked to come to their
girls camp and assist with a craft. This was a very positive and
exciting experience for our ward YW. ***(This is in the Salt
Lake Valley area. I do not know whether there are other Special Need
MIA groups in other parts of the country or world.)
MISSIONARY WEEK: -
(for ideas see Missionary Week Ideas)
SCAVENGER HUNT: - Divide Young Men and Young Women
into groups of four or five. Each group is assigned to one of the youth
leaders, and will remain with that leader throughout the evening. Prior
to the activity, one of the youth should prepare clues for the scavenger
hunt and post them in different areas throughout the ward boundaries. As
each team arrives at their next clue, they also receive a hint that will
help them to solve a riddle or puzzle (for example, the goal of the evening
could be to find the phrase “Faith in Every Footstep”). The first team
to find all of their scavenger hunt clues, solve the puzzle, and make it
back to the ward building first wins!
CARNIVAL OF LIFE: - (Brite Impressions) You have
a carnival setting with booths: worldly booths, food booths, and
spiritual booths. Youth go about earning tickets at these booths.
Spiritual Booth ideas include: Name the Prophets, Name the Hymn,
Articles of Faith, etc. Worldly booths include: dart throw,
ring toss, fish pond, cake walk, etc. Carnival goes on for
awhile. Angels come and get the youth (secretly) one by one
and take them to be judged. Go through learning about Telestial,
Terrestrial, Celestial Kingdoms. For more information, please
check the Brite Impressions books at any LDS Bookstore.
SENIOR CITIZENS NIGHT: - We have quite a few
Senior citizens in our ward, esp. widows. Every year we have a combined
activity where we invite the seniors and we play games. (Jenga, Pictionary,
Sorry, etc.) The leaders try to make sure that the youth mingle
and interact with the seniors and not just stay with themselves.
Of course there are refreshments. We had the YW bring cookies, the
YM brought punch and popcorn. It is always fun and it helps our ward
cross the generation gap. Our seniors are great sports and
show alot of interest in our youth and I think this activity might be a
real help. Our youth learn that these older folks are a lot of fun.
OLD KID GAMES NIGHT: - We had a fun yw/ym activity last
month. FUN-FOOD-and COMPETITION!!!! We just played old kids
games like musical chairs, and red rover and we had them tie balloons around
their ankles and try and pop each others. We also had a bunch of
relays and lots and lots of candy!!! We hyped it up all month, asking
them to come to YM/YW for nothing but fun and food and we had a massive
turn out (for us) and had a blast! No "lessons" learned just fun.
The kids want to do it again soon.
BIGGER AND BETTER SCAVENGER HUNT: - Another one that we
did that was a lot of fun was called Bigger and Better. All of the
youth started with a penny. As they went to the various houses they
asked if the people had something bigger or better. They were given
a half hour to complete the activity. At the end we ended up with
things like an old tire and a wheelchair - which we donated to DI. (or
Thrift Store, if possible).