General Conference/Church Boredom Buster

Ok,

So I can't take credit for this idea, because it wasn't mine, but for the life of me I can't remember where I saw this (some super crafy blog, that's all I know).

*Update* It was Brown Paper Packages found here:

http://www.brownpaper--packages.com/2011/03/general-conference-treat-buckets.html

Anyways, it was an idea to keep kids interested and paying attention during General Conference while you are watching/listening at home. And this worked for Amaia (who isn't yet 3) so it can Work for you, too.
You get some small cups/bowls (we used silicone muffin cups) and fill each one with a different type of small candy: m&ms, skittles, tic tacs, chocolate chips, runts, fruit snacks, etc. Whatever you have. I'd say it's best starting out with only 3 or 4 cups for younger kids, and more as they get older and can remember better.

Label each cup with a sticky note things like Jesus, Scriptures, Prayer, Family, Prophet, Tithing, Heavenly Father, etc and inform the kids (if they can't read) what each cup is for.

*Edit: An even better idea for kids who can't read, is to get onto your computer and print out clip art for each of the words or phrases you want the kids to listen for. Most recently we used a picture of Christ, President Monson, a picture of our daughter folding her arms (for prayer), a temple, and the golden plates (for scriptures). Since she's not old enough to read, the pictures help her remember which cup is for which word. This is my 1 year old, super excited about Jesus:

Now as you watch conference, if your kids are listening and hear the speaker say Jesus (for example), they go and grab ONE piece of candy out of the cup labeled Jesus. It's that simple! Once they get the hang of it, they won't want to stop!

Now, to take the idea even further....we did the same trick for Stake Conference, but you could also do this on a plain on regular Sunday if your kids have a particularly hard time being quiet. We chose Stake Conference because it was two hours of sitting in one chair as opposed to one hour that's broken up with quite a bit of singing and praying.

We found an empty hair tie thing, but you could also just use one of those 7 day jobbers for pills.

Label each one with a word-we wrote it in permanent marker but realized that was a bad idea-what if we want to switch it up for next time? Luckily it looks like it will come right off this plastic, so no worries.

You don't have to fill them all. Now you have a travel size spill proof little conference buddy! Easy to stash in your already overflowing church bag!