Looking for fun general conference activities? This Conference Cash idea is my kids very favorite!
We have certain General Conference traditions in my home that my kids look forward to every time! Our day starts with homemade cinnamon rolls (my easy recipe!) I set up a Conference Snack Bar, and I always print each kid and General Conference Activity Packet to help keep their attention. Several years ago I added another idea to my General Conference Activities repertoire- I call it “Conference Cash” – here is how it works!
General Conference Activities – Conference Cash
I set up a little “shop” on the counter in the kitchen. The shop has treats and small items from the dollar store, like notepads, crayons, candy etc.
Before conference starts, I give each of my kids $2 in Conference Cash. If they sit quietly during the speakers, they can earn more. If they are rowdy, fighting or not paying attention, they lose their conference cash. At the end of each talk, we pause conference and I ask them each questions about who spoke and what topic they spoke on. They can earn more Conference Cash if they are able to answer my questions. Before we start the TV again, they get a trip to the “store” where they can purchase whatever they have money for.
My kids absolutely LOVED this idea, and I’ve actually never seen them pay such close attention and be so quiet while conference was on- it was fabulous!
Want to download your own Conference Cash printable?
Enjoy!
This post originally published on Somewhat Simple in 2013
Okay this is the cutest idea!
Thanks Kyra!
My friend told me about your genius Conference Cash idea and printable! I’m trying the subscribe to get the download, but nothing is happening when I click “Subscribe.” I’ve already disabled my popup blocker for your website, but still no luck. I would love to get these printed ahead of time for October – Conference always sneaks up on us! 🙂
Hi Michelle,
First off, tell your friend I said thanks for spreading the word about these printables – that is so nice of her! Then, send an email to info@somewhatsimple.com, and someone from my team can forward you the file. (Sorry you’re having issues with this! That is very frustrating!)
The kids absolutely loved this during Conference!
I’m so glad to hear they enjoyed it as much as my family does!
Such a great idea!
looking forward to conference cash
I hope you guys loved it! 🙂
My kids had so much fun with this and actually listened!!
That’s awesome!
I can’t get your awesome conference cash to prompt me to subscribe in order to get the download.
I’m so sorry about that. For some reason that form was disabled but it’s active now so you should be able to get it. Just enter in your name and email address in the grey box near the bottom and you’ll be able to download the printable.
My friend told me about your conference cash and it is such an amazing idea! How can I get a printable? I already subscribed to your newsletter.
Sorry about that. We were having a small issue with that post but it has been fixed. I’ll just go ahead and email the file to you.
Hi. I’m trying to download the printable cash and it doesn’t come to my email.
The file should just pop up on your screen to download after you enter your info. But don’t worry, I’ll just email it over to you.
We did the conference cash & it was AMAZING!!!! A favorite new tradition. My 7, 6, & 3 year old listened better than they ever have & we had so much fun! My Husband & I got more out of Conference this past one than In years. I can’t believe it’s all free, too-the cash looks incredible! THANK YOU!
That’s awesome and you’re so welcome! I’m so glad it helped and that your kids loved it.
I wish I would have printed these off 3 weeks ago! It’s fun to see fellow members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the blogging world. Your site is darling!
LOL, thanks Michelle! I guess you’ll just have to come back in 6 months and print off your copies.:)
Do you still have a link for the older version of the conference cash? I printed that out years ago and need to print some more.
Unfortunately, I don’t. Sorry about that!
My friend told me about these and they are such a great idea! My boys loved these. Thanks!
I’m so glad you all loved these!
I am unable to download your conference cash printable. Do I need to subscribe?
Thank you 🙂
Yes, once you subscribe to our newsletter at the bottom of the post it will be emailed to you automatically.
Can’t wait to try with my grandkids.
Just printed of my “Conference Cash” today! Thanks so much for sharing it. I’m excited to use it next Conference!
Thank You so much for this great idea and the free printable! I have used your idea for the past 2 conferences and just came back today to print some more conference cash for my kids. This has changed conference for our family, works like a charm for my kids to sit quietly and makes it so I can actually listen a bit! THANK YOU!!!
We did this this past Oct and the kids loved it. They are so excited for conference this weekend knowing we are doing it again. Thank you for sharing.
Heather- We did the questions during the songs so we weren’t missing any of the talks. I love the music and hate interrupting it but I felt it was the only way we could do it.
I am wondering if you have a suggestion of how to make the questions after each talk work if we are watching conference live and don’t have a dvr? I really love this idea and your sharing it! Thank you so much!!!
I’m not technosaavy so could you tell me where the actual link is to print out the dollars on here? Thanks.
Sorry I am just now seeing this! Hopefully you figured it out or found another idea- I apologize!
Wow, this was so amazing! My kids ages 12, 9, 6, 4, 1.5 have never watched, been interested in and even groan when they see Conference come on. We also had the spirit so strong in our house and it was peaceful. Most of them listened quite intently and for the four year old I would ask what color was their tie or something like that. They all knew who was speaking, their hair color, tie color, topics, etc… It was truly amazing. I tried to get useful things, markers, crafts that came in multiples – which they worked on while listening, loom bands. I kind of feel like I overspent, but the outcome was so worth it. I had items up to $30 but gave out about $5-$6 to each child for questions after each talk, for singing, etc. You just have to experiment and make it your own. Kids loved it and said, this was so much fun, can we do this next time?
I am now using this idea to get them to practice for softball/baseball. Baseball bucks!
Your comment made me smile- I am glad you like this idea! 🙂
p.s.s. I got water guns, silly puddy, and other random items that I knew they’d love.
You’re so sweet Kristen! Thanks for your comments- I am so glad this idea has worked so well for you and your family! xoxo
p.s my 4 year old got cash for coloring her temple picture, and for being reverent so we could all better pay attention.
Stephanie! I loved this SOOO much! Seriously, I’m so grateful you posted this. The past few years, I had a variety of candies out for the kids to grab when each word was spoken, but we are trying to reduce candy in our home. I saw this, bought a ton of stuff at Target yesterday for our store, and it was SO worth it! My kids (13, 11, and 9) were encouraged to take notes and they’d get a “cash” per comment to me. I said it had to be meaningful, and we just talked for nearly a full hour on all of the insights they heard, and we expounded on various topics. I’m SOOO excited, and I felt the spirit even more powerfully as we discussed the points they just heard. Thank you for sharing, it blessed our family and I can’t wait to discuss with them the next few sessions!!
THANK YOU for this template of Conference Cash. We LOVE Conference Cash! My kids look forward to earning Conference Cash and cashing it in for treats and privileges like video game time or getting out of chores! It’s a great way to get my kids to watch conference!
Thanks for your comment Tami! I am glad you like this idea!
I love this idea! And my kids are really excited for it. But I was wondering what you do with all the leftover stuff that doesn’t get bought up by your kids. Do you just save it for next conference?
I save it and use it as incentive for other chores and such around the house.
I love this! How old are your kids? My oldest is 8 so I know it is defiantly do-able for her but the youngest are 4 and 5. I will be printing coloring pages for them, but don’t know how long they will be able sit for. Any tips for the little ones would be great. This will be the first conference our oldest will be really be involved also. Thanks!
My kids are 11, 7,6,2 and 4 months. We’ve been doing this for a couple years with my 3 oldest, so it even worked with a 3 or 4 year old, though the questions I asked were obviously a lot easier than the ones I asked my older son. And they still wanted to get up and play as they got bored, but this incentive helped better than any other game or method I’ve tried!
Honestly….I LOVE this idea! Can I tell you a secret? My kids don’t watch conference…..*gasp*. I know. We usually start it as a family thing, but after 5 minutes it is easier to send them downstairs and watch it without them. I think they might actually watch if I try something like this. You can totally customize the “store” to your kids favorite things. Not only is this a great idea for conference, but you could use a similar type of reward system for lots of other things….chores, homework, behavior. Thanks for sharing this idea!
I love your honesty Haley! 🙂 I don’t know of any kid who sits and watches conference from start to finish- heck, it’s hard enough getting them to sit through Sacrament meeting! But this idea has been the biggest help and they actually pay more attention than ever before! Now I just need to think of something to keep my husband awake……….
WONDERFUL idea!!! Thanks for sharing. Target’s Dollar Spot would be a great place for goodies too!!
-Tahnee @ laneandalley.blogspot.com
You’re welcome Tahnee! Thanks for stopping by!
how do you “pause” conference? Does that mean you’re not watching it live?
Well we start it live right when conference starts, but we use our DVR to pause it after each speaker, so we usually finish 10-15 minutes after it actually ends.
i LOOOOOOOOOOOOVE This idea!!
How did you break the bills for the items that were .25? Did you have enough .25 items for them to buy 1.00 worth?
Thanks Heather! And I had a lot of stuff worth different amounts less than a dollar, so they just chose a bunch of items that equaled a dollar. Not only a spiritual activity, it was also a math lesson- ha ha ha! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
What a fabulous idea! I love this balance of encouraging them to pay attention as well as some fun. Thanks!
Thanks Camille, I am glad you like it! 🙂
THANK YOU for sharing your talents!!! This is for sure going to become a tradition in our home. THANK YOU for sharing!!!!!
Ah, thanks Shannon! I am glad you like it! 🙂
Stephanie,
Thanks for sharing this post! It’s such a fun idea. I have everything ready to try this out and am so looking forward to enjoying Conference this year 🙂
I hope it works out well for you Lisa! Enjoy!
This is such a cute idea! I wanted to let you know, though, that when I viewed the site on my phone, a very s3xual ad came up. I’m not sure if you have any influence on your ads, but if you do, be sure to get that one outta here!
Great blog. Keep it up!
-Roo
Yikes! Thanks for the heads up about the ad- I will look into that for sure!!! 🙂
Stephanie, you’re genius!
Ah, thanks Jill! : )
Thanks for the printable! I think we might have to try it this year. I like that the reward doesn’t interrupt conference (like the pennies or candies for hearing certain words).
Thanks Alana!
Ooooh, I love this, Steph! Thanks!
FANTASTIC! And thank you soooooooo much for making the printable B&W. Anxious to try it this year! Do you let your kids play with their ‘stuff’ from the store as long as they are listening? Just curious! I grew up watching Conference @ the Stake Center so I still struggle keeping it ‘reverent’ at home! 😉