By Kaitlin Harker
As parents, we want our children to have a strong relationship with Jesus Christ and to develop their own testimonies. Sometimes it can feel overwhelming to know where to begin. Here are some simple, powerful ways to guide them.
Be an Example
One of the most meaningful things you can do is set an example. Let your children see your relationship with Jesus Christ in action. Share your testimony openly, both through words and actions. When they see your faith, they’ll begin to understand what it looks like to follow Him.
Primary Answers
These are called the primary answers, but they are some of the most important and essential things you can do.
- Pray – Put a note on the bathroom mirror to help you and your children remember to pray.
- Read scriptures – For young children, you can use the church’s picture scriptures when you read.
- Go to church – Come up with a purpose or reason to continue going to church even when your kids behavior makes it challenging.
With younger children, teach them how to pray and include them in family prayer. Teach them how to recognize the Holy Ghost. Set aside a regular time for scripture study, even if it’s just a few verses each day. Consistently attending church demonstrates the value of worshipping with others and learning from our leaders.
Family Home Evening
Family home evenings are a wonderful way to help your child grow their testimony and grow closer together as a family. Use this time for songs, lessons, and activities that center on Jesus Christ.
Ideas for Toddlers:
- Scavenger Hunt – Make a list of about 5 items (tree, rock, grass, dirt, leaf, etc. ) and go on a walk as a family. Have your child find these items on the walk and talk about the beauty of nature. You can also talk about how Jesus Christ created the Earth because He loves us.
- Coloring Activity – Print out pictures of Jesus Christ or the temple and color as a family. While you color, you can talk about how Jesus loved the little children or how families can be together for eternity because of the temple.
Ideas for Elementary Aged Children:
- Baptism Activity – Have family members share memories of when they were baptized. Then, have the younger children share how they can prepare and what they look forward to.
- Articles of Faith Punch Cards – Learn the doctrine behind one of the articles of faith. Practice reciting it and continue practicing it every night until the kids can recite it. Once they learn it, punch the number on the card.
Ideas for 12+:
- Family Baking – Bake a treat together as a family and take it to a family or friend in need. After you take the treat, talk about how your children feel. You can also talk about the importance of service and how serving others makes us feel happy.
- Charades – Create a list of actions to act out and take turns acting and guessing. This is a wonderful way to laugh, encourage teamwork, and strengthen family bonds. After the game, you can talk about the importance of having a strong relationship with your family and learning to work together.
Service
Another way that children can build their testimony is through service. Acts of service can include helping their sibling, holding a door open, or simply smiling. As they serve alongside family and friends, they will feel the joy that comes from living like the Savior. Serving others allows our children to see that having faith and a testimony is about action as well.
Encourage Questions
Children are naturally curious and it’s important to encourage them to ask questions. Allow them to see that it’s normal and okay to have questions about the gospel and about Heavenly Father. It’s also important to know that you don’t have to have all the answers yourself. Embrace the opportunity to learn together and teach them how to seek an answer.
Pray for Them
Pray for your children daily. Pray that they will come to know their Savior and develop a love for His gospel. Heavenly Father knows them and their specific needs. As you seek His guidance, you’ll be inspired in how to help them grow closer to Him and further develop their faith and testimonies.
Helping children come unto Christ and develop their testimony is a lifelong process. As parents, we can’t give them a testimony, but we can give them the tools and building blocks to develop their own testimony. We can help guide and teach our children so that they can learn more about our Savior and the gospel.
Check out our books The Powers of Heaven and This is The Spirit of Revelation to learn more about priesthood power, prayer and following promptings of the Holy Ghost.
Citations:
Preston , L. (2025, February 11). Family home evening activities: 35 Fun Games and Ideas. Motherhood Diaries Parenting Magazine – Preconception Planning | Pregnancy Journal | Birth Stories. https://motherhooddiaries.com/family-home-evening-activities/
Shari. (2014, June 30). 50+ family home evenings with little kiddos. Let’s Get Together. https://lets-get-together.com/2014/05/12/50-family-home-evenings-with-little-kiddos/
Kaitlin Harker is a stay-at-home mom with a love for words. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from Brigham Young University – Idaho and has been married to her best friend for four years. Together, they have an adventurous two-year-old boy and an adorable baby girl. Kaitlin loves to read, write, and do anything active.
