LDS craft resources are essential tools for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who are looking to enhance their gospel teaching and community activities. These resources provide creative ways to illustrate complex principles, making them more accessible for children, youth, and adults alike. Whether you are preparing a lesson for Primary, planning a youth activity, or looking for ministering gift ideas, having a reliable list of resources can save time and improve the quality of your projects.
Crafting within the context of the Church often focuses on scripture stories, temple work, and service. By using hands-on activities, teachers and parents can help learners better retain information while fostering a sense of accomplishment. This article explores official and community-based resources to help you find the best materials for your specific needs.
Official Church Resources
The first place to look for reliable LDS craft resources is through the official channels of the Church. These materials are designed to align perfectly with current curriculum and safety standards. They are often free to download and easy to print from a home computer.
The Friend Magazine is perhaps the most well-known official resource for children’s crafts. Each issue contains several “handouts” or activities, such as paper dolls of scripture figures, coloring pages, and simple construction projects. You can access archives of these activities on the Church’s official website.
The Gospel Living App and the Church website also offer digital media that can be used for crafts. This includes high-resolution images of temples, prophets, and scripture scenes. These images are excellent for creating decoupage projects, bookmarks, or framed art for the home.
- Coloring Pages: Found in the “Children” section of the Church website, these are perfect for keeping young hands busy during quiet times.
- Activity Books: The Church often publishes scripture-themed activity books that include puzzles and cut-outs.
- Manuals: Many teaching manuals include suggested activities and patterns at the end of each lesson.
Resources for Primary Activities
Primary leaders and teachers often require crafts that are simple, inexpensive, and quick to complete. Since Primary serves children ages 3 to 11, the resources must cater to various skill levels. Focus on projects that reinforce the weekly “Come, Follow Me” lesson.
Scripture Hero Cards are a popular resource. Many websites provide templates for cards that children can color and collect. This helps them learn the names and stories of individuals in the Book of Mormon and the Bible.
Articles of Faith Tools are also highly sought after. Crafts that help children memorize the thirteen Articles of Faith include flipbooks, punch cards, and beaded bracelets. These tactile items serve as constant reminders of the principles they are learning.
Interactive Lesson Aids
Interactive aids like “file folder games” are excellent for Primary. These are self-contained crafts where children can move pieces around to tell a story. For example, a folder might feature a tree that children add “fruit” to as they discuss the Tree of Life.
Youth and Young Women Craft Ideas
Crafts for youth activities generally focus on personal development, goal setting, and temple preparation. These projects are usually more sophisticated than Primary crafts and often result in items the youth can use in their daily lives.
Scripture Journaling is a major trend in youth craft resources. This involves using washi tape, stickers, and highlighters to personalize scriptures. Resources for this include printable tabs and margins that provide space for notes and artistic reflections.
Temple-Themed Crafts are frequently used for Young Women activities. Common projects include creating temple silhouette art, sewing temple recommend holders, or assembling “temple bags” for white clothing. These crafts help keep the goal of temple attendance at the forefront of their minds.
- Vision Boards: Using magazines and printed quotes to visualize personal goals.
- Jewelry Making: Creating necklaces or bracelets with symbols like the CTR (Choose the Right) emblem or the youth theme for the year.
- Service Projects: Many youth crafts double as service, such as tied fleece blankets for local shelters or handmade cards for homebound members.
Relief Society and Ministering Resources
Relief Society crafts often center on home enrichment and ministering. Ministering is the practice of looking after other members of the congregation, and a small handmade gift can be a powerful way to show care.
Printable Ministering Tags are one of the most used resources. These are small cards with an uplifting quote or scripture that can be attached to a treat or a plant. Many LDS-themed blogs offer these for free or for a small fee.
Home Decor is another popular category. Many Relief Society groups hold “additional relief society meetings” where they create wooden signs with family proclamations, embroidered scripture verses, or seasonal wreaths. These projects encourage a Christ-centered atmosphere in the home.
Organizational Crafts
Resources that help with home organization are also popular. This includes creating planners for meal prep, family home evening charts, or kits for emergency preparedness. These crafts are practical and align with the Church’s emphasis on self-reliance.
Come, Follow Me Study Aids
With the shift toward home-centered, Church-supported learning, “Come, Follow Me” resources have become a staple for LDS families. Crafting can turn a standard study session into an engaging family activity.
Weekly Lesson Kits are available from many independent creators. These kits often include a centerpiece for the dining table that changes weekly to reflect the current scripture study topic. They may also include maps, timelines, and character cut-outs.
Scripture Chains are a simple craft where families add a paper link for every chapter read. This provides a visual representation of progress and encourages consistency in daily study. Many resources provide themed links with icons representing different books of scripture.
Where to Find LDS Craft Supplies Online
Beyond the official Church website, several online platforms host a wealth of LDS-specific craft resources. Knowing where to look can help you find unique designs and professional-looking templates.
Pinterest is a primary hub for LDS craft inspiration. By searching for specific terms like “LDS Primary Printables” or “Young Women Activity Ideas,” you can find thousands of user-uploaded images and links to blogs. It is an excellent tool for visual brainstorming.
Etsy is the best place to find high-quality, paid digital downloads. Many LDS artists sell beautifully designed scripture stickers, baptism programs, and relief society newsletters. Buying from these creators often ensures a more polished look for special events.
LDS Blogs are often run by volunteers who share their lesson plans and craft templates for free. These blogs are valuable because they provide real-world feedback on how the crafts worked in an actual classroom setting. Look for blogs that have categories organized by age group or topic.
Tips for Budget-Friendly LDS Crafting
Church activities often operate on a limited budget, so finding ways to save money on craft supplies is important. Planning ahead and using what you have can make a big difference.
Bulk Buying: For items like glue sticks, markers, and cardstock, buying in bulk during back-to-school sales is highly effective. These staples are used in almost every LDS craft project.
Recycling Materials: Many Primary crafts can be made using household items like toilet paper rolls, egg cartons, and shoe boxes. For example, an egg carton can easily be transformed into a “tithing box” or a small treasure chest for scripture verses.
Digital Sharing: Instead of printing everything yourself, check if your local meetinghouse has a library with a copier. Many wards allow leaders to print a certain number of copies for church-related activities, which can significantly reduce personal costs.
Conclusion
LDS craft resources are a wonderful way to bring the gospel to life through creativity and service. By utilizing official Church materials, exploring community blogs, and using online marketplaces, you can find the perfect project for any age or occasion. These crafts do more than just fill time; they provide tangible reminders of spiritual truths and help build lasting memories within families and congregations.
As you plan your next lesson or activity, remember that the goal of these resources is to support the message being taught. Simple, thoughtful crafts often have the most significant impact. For more tips on organizing church events or finding educational materials, explore our other helpful guides on SearchAndHelp.com.