We live in a crazy world! Coronavirus is spreading, but luckily our church leaders have given us counsel to help us take precautions. Church isn’t being held and temples are closed except for a few living ordinances. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t connect with each other! Social distancing is the buzzword this week, but thanks to the fantastic technology we have, we can keep youth activities happening — remotely over videoconferencing.
Along with church being temporarily stopped, no in-person activities are taking place. But that doesn’t mean we can’t find creative ways to hold activities with the youth in our wards!
So after brainstorming with a few of the finest youth I know, we came up with a list of 21 youth activities that can be done over video conferencing. Skype and Zoom are some of the top-of-the-line options, which are free to use!
Most of these youth activity ideas only require a little bit of know-how with these programs, which can be used from a computer or smartphone. I’d recommend doing a test run, making sure you can figure out screensharing or any other “special features” you may need to employ. Most of these don’t take too much prep time, and some won’t take any. A lot of these would work best for smaller classes (4-8 youth), but some can be expanded to work for larger groups.
1. Drawing class
If a member of the class or a member of the ward is a skilled artist, they could select one or two drawings to teach the group and walk through step-by-step how to complete it. Everybody only needs a pencil and paper, and they can take turns showing off their masterpieces!
2. Missionary discussion
Missionaries are looking for lots of opportunities to teach right now, and many of them would probably welcome an invitation to teach a lesson to the youth! Reach out to your ward mission leader to coordinate it. If youth are interested, they could even try some role playing! Each youth can be invited to share something they learn from the lesson with a nonmember friend.
3. Kahoot!
Anybody can create a Kahoot game, or select one that’s already on the website, and the youth can all play remotely, competing for points.
4. Jackbox
Jackbox Games require somebody to purchase a pack of games, but then it’s free for anybody to play. One person can host a game and invite everybody else to play along from their smartphones, while sharing the game screen through videoconferencing. Most games only allow up to 8 players.
5. Talent show
Each class member can prepare to share a talent (singing, telling jokes, drawing, memorizing, ukulele, anything!) and take turns sharing over videoconferencing.
6. Return missionary Q&A
Class members can invite several return missionaries from the ward to share experiences and answer questions about missionary service.
7. Cooking class
Class members could select a simple recipe and either coordinate a way for a leader to drop off ingredients to each class member (better for small groups) or check with each class member’s parents that they have ingredients on hand. One person could teach how to make the recipe while everybody follows along.
8. Never Have I Ever
Class members hold up ten fingers and go around, taking turns saying “never have I ever …” With each response, people put down one finger for each thing which they have done. The winner is the last person left with at least one finger up!
9. Jeopardy game
You can use Jeopardy Labs to find or create a Jeopardy game, you can play with up to 10 players or teams, and play over videoconferencing. This may be a little more complex to set up, so do a test run beforehand.
10. Make cards for retirement center
If all your class members have access to some basic craft supplies (paper, markers, etc) then each of them could create several inspirational cards to share with a retirement facility, women’s shelter, or hospital patients. It’s probably wise to avoid mentioning the virus — just happy thoughts! A leader could pick up cards from each class member and drop them off. Make sure you follow whatever safety protocol and to arrange the drop off ahead of time.
11. Netflix party
If all class members have Netflix and access to a computer, they could choose a family-friendly movie and watch it together with Netflix Party, where they can chat about the movie while watching it.
12. Family history show-and-tell
Each class member could pick a family heirloom or favorite story about their ancestors to share with the rest of their class.
13. Indexing party
Somebody can teach the class how to do web-indexing from Family Search, and after they’ve learned have a video conference going while indexing, where they can screenshare with any questions they have or to show any cool discoveries.
14. Time management class
Invite somebody (a stay-at-home mom, teacher, college student, return missionary, church leader) to come and talk about time management, including creative ways to use extra time and prioritizing goals like gospel study and learning.
15. Pictionary
Play Pictionary over videoconferencing, where each class member takes turns drawing, either on a piece of paper while pointing their camera at it, or on a drawing app using screenshare. Everybody can choose their own word, or use this word generator!
16. Scattergories
Each class member can be sent a Scattergories list for each round (find some online), someone sets a timer, someone else picks a letter, and everybody comes up with a list and takes turns sharing their responses. Here are more detailed rules for how to play and score it!
17. Dance lesson
Invite a class member or a member of the class to teach a group dance to the class over videoconferencing. (Electric slide, hoedown throwdown, cupid shuffle)
18. How to conduct hymns
One class member or a member of the ward can teach the other class members how to conduct hymns in different time signatures, and each person can share their favorite hymn and practice conducting it. Avoid everybody doing it at once — because of the slight delay in the video, it’ll get out of sync really quickly!
19. Powerpoint skillsharing
Everybody can choose a skill or subject that they want to share with everybody else and prepare a short powerpoint about it.
20. Career prep Q&A
Invite somebody from the ward to talk about their career and answer questions about how they prepared and what they do at work.
21. Charades
One facilitator can be in charge of sending a secret word to each player on their turn, or everybody can go to this word generator to select a word on their turn. You can break into teams or play as individuals.
What other ideas do you have! Leave comments or send me an email ( deborah @ making progress personal .com ) and I’ll add ’em to the list!
And if you’re looking for more tools to help your class presidency plan activities — even remotely — I’ve got a fantastic toolkit available in my store!
