Are you searching for meaningful ways to center your life on Christ? Whether you're a youth leader, parent, or someone striving to focus more on the Savior, this list of activity ideas will inspire you to deepen your connection with Jesus Christ. From creative crafts to heartfelt service projects, these activities bring the 2025 youth theme to life.
The 2025 theme, "Look Unto Christ" drawn from Doctrine and Covenants 6:36, invites us to “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.” This simple yet profound counsel reminds us that Christ should be the focus of our lives. These activities are designed to help individuals, families, and youth groups reflect on their Savior in spiritual, intellectual, physical, and socially enriching ways.
- “Look Unto Christ” treasure hunt - find scripture clues, pictures of the Savior, or symbolic objects (like a lighthouse or shepherd) around town.
- 30-Day “Look Unto Him” Scripture Challenge – Reflect daily on scriptures focused on Christ.
- Music Playlist Activity - have the girls create/share songs and playlists that help them feel closer to Christ.
- Youth Temple Trip - reflect on how doing temple work brings us and those we are doing the work for closer to Christ.
- Create “Look Unto Christ” journals - Write daily reflections about looking unto Him.
- Photography Challenge - take photos of things that remind you of Christ (e.g., a sunrise, a temple, an act of kindness) and share them in a chat group or activity night.
- Book Club - have a monthly book club for those who are interested and have the girls pick a Christ-Centered book. Make a fun night with treats and discussion about the book. You can get them from the library or ask ward members to borrow the books, too.
- Family History Projects - Assist parents or grandparents with family history projects, including scanning photos or organizing family stories. You can also create a fun modern family tree and frame it.
- Scripture Art Journaling – Create artistic designs around scriptures like D&C 6:36.
- Make Baptism Temple Pouches - include a blank pouch (you can use an iron-on temple image) and include things like a white scrunchie, lotion, mini shampoo/conditioner, etc).
SERVICE ACTIVITIES
- Read to a Child Activity - have the youth read a story to young children around the neighbor (you might make sure to set this is scheduled with the parents ahead of time)
- Ward Clean-Up Day – Tidy the meetinghouse and grounds.
- Deliver “Family Fun Night” baskets or bags - Plan and deliver an activity night for their family, complete with games, snacks, and an uplifting message.
- Letters/Care Packages for Missionaries – Include treats, uplifting notes, and scriptures.
- Random Act of Kindness Activity – See how many RAK's you can do during activity night.
- Community Clean-Up – Pick up litter in local parks or neighborhoods.
- Freezer Meals for new moms or someone who might need extra help.
- Create “Welcome Kits” for members who are new in the ward including a personalized card, treats, and resources about the ward or Church for new members or families.
- “Look Unto Him” Service Bingo - create Bingo cards with service ideas and provide a challenge/reward for completing.
- First Responder Thank You Cards - Write thank-you letters or bake treats for police officers, firefighters, and paramedics to express gratitude for their sacrifices.
CREATIVE ACTIVITIES
- Vision Boards - create vision boards about how they want to “Look Unto Him” in 2025. Include spiritual, physical, intellectual and social goals.
- Make Bracelets - use colorful beads and letters that say “Look Unto Him” or “Look Unto Christ”
- “Light the World” Lantern Craft – Create lanterns to symbolize Christ’s light.
- Photography Challenge – Capture photos of things that remind you of Christ.
- Scripture Bookmarks – Design bookmarks featuring D&C 6:36.
- Paint Night - paint or draw imagery connected to the Savior (Christ calming the storm, the Good Shepherd, etc.)
- Temple Drawing Activity – Draw or color pictures of temples as symbols of looking unto Christ.
- Christmas Ornament Craft – Make ornaments with the “Look Unto Him” theme.
- Gratitude Crafts – A gratitude jar or tree where participants add things they are thankful for throughout the week or month.
- Christ-Centered Journaling Kits – Provide supplies for personalized spiritual reflections.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES
- “Look Unto Christ” obstacle course - Create an obstacle course that represents life’s challenges and how Christ can guide us through them.
- Relay Race: Running the Race of Faith – Focus on enduring to the end with Christ.
- Christ-centered Pictionary - Draw gospel-related concepts for others to guess.
- Archery - use targets like faith, service, and prayer. Focus on aiming for the mark, just as we aim to follow Christ.
- “Light the Path” Night Sports/Games - Play a night game (like glow-in-the-dark kickball or flashlight tag) to symbolize how Christ is the Light of the World.
- Fitness "Strength in Christ" activity - Create a workout (yoga, push-ups, squats, jumping jacks) where each station includes a scripture or quote about strength in Christ. This is a great way to get ward members involved who are great at teaching fitness.
- "Teamwork in Christ" Sports Night - play games like tug of war and team games
- Christ-Centered Jeopardy Game - (tip: Elder Neil A. Andersen shares some great ones annually on his Facebook page).
- “Escape Room” Activity – Solve puzzles leading to Christ-centered insights.
- Hiking with Scripture Stops – Plan a hike or nature walk where participants share scriptures about Christ’s creations.
INTELLECTUAL ACTIVITIES
- Talent Night - have a talent night (this can be a super simple talent, too). Reflect on how Christ wants us to use our talents and develop new ones. Think "Show and Tell".
- Names of Christ Activity – Learn about titles like “Good Shepherd” and “Prince of Peace" (this is especially fun around the holiday season).
- Career Night - invite ward members/neighbors to share about their careers and how they "Look Unto Christ" at work.
- “Look Unto Him” Devotional Series – Weekly devotionals focusing on Christ’s attributes.
- Learn something New - share the story of President Russell M. Nelson deciding to learn the Mandarin language. Come up with something they would like to learn. Christ encourages us to use our talents and gain knowledge.
- Scripture Memory Challenge – Memorize verses about faith and trust in Christ.
- "Look Unto Christ" Mental Health Devotional – Discuss how focusing on Christ can bring peace and strength in moments of stress, anxiety, or depression (make sure to use scriptures, conference talks, and church website resources).
BONUS TIPS
- Encourage Reflection: End each activity with a discussion or devotional to deepen the connection to Christ.
- Mix and Match: Combine creative, spiritual, and service ideas for dynamic events.
- Printable Resources: Include downloads like activity guides, scripture cards, or journaling pages. Watch for many free printables in the future on Latter-day Lane.
- Customize: make sure to customize activities to the needs of your youth.
- Holiday Activities: Adjust activites focused around Easter, Christmas, 4th of July (light the world), etc.
- REMEMBER: Let the youth lead! They can use this list for helpful inspiration -- let's face it many of the girls need inspirational ideas. My goal here is to inspire them to create their own activities and put their own spins on them.
Do you have an activity you'd like to share that focuses on the theme "Look Unto Christ"? Please share below in the comments.
POST BY: Kari Sweeten
