Relief Society Activity Ideas: 60 Ideas for Every Season (Including Super Saturday)
Relief Society activities are gatherings planned by a ward Relief Society presidency to help women in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints strengthen their covenants, build friendships, and serve together. The best ones are simple, inclusive, and low-cost. Below are 60 ideas by season, plus a modern take on Super Saturday.
Sixty ideas follow, grouped by season so you can plan a year in one presidency meeting. If you want the handbook rules, budget approvals, or joint planning with the elders quorum, that lives in our Relief Society activities planning guide.
Who plans Relief Society activities?
Short version: "Relief Society presidencies may plan activities. The president oversees activities. She may ask a counselor or another sister to take the lead in planning and carrying them out" (General Handbook 9.2.1.3). A ward may also call an activity coordinator to help plan and carry out Relief Society activities (9.3.4).
The rest of the rules, including budgets and Monday nights, are in our Relief Society activities planning guide.
How do you plan a Relief Society activity sisters actually attend?
Attendance usually follows relevance and invitation, not decorations. A simple approach:
- Start with needs. Ask the presidency and ministering sisters what women in the ward are carrying right now: new babies, aging parents, job changes, loneliness.
- Pick one purpose. Friendship, a skill, service, or spiritual renewal. One clear purpose beats three half purposes.
- Choose a time that fits. Rotate between weeknights, Saturday mornings, and occasional daytime events for sisters who cannot come at night.
- Plan childcare thoughtfully. If you offer it, follow the two-adult rule for children and coordinate with the bishopric.
- Invite personally. A text from a ministering sister works better than a bulletin line.
- Keep the cost low. Use the ward budget and ask the bishop before spending.
What are some spring Relief Society activity ideas?
- Garden seed swap. Sisters bring seeds, cuttings, or starter plants to share. Add a short talk on growing food. Cost: low.
- Spring cleaning hacks. A sister who loves organizing shares five tips; everyone leaves with a homemade cleaner.
- Easter devotional and brunch. Short readings about the Savior's Resurrection, then a simple potluck.
- Walking club kickoff. Map a weekly neighborhood walking route and form groups.
- Self-reliance workshop. Food storage basics, emergency kits, or budgeting.
- Flower arranging. Grocery-store flowers and mason jars; deliver extras to homebound sisters.
- Book swap night. Bring a book, take a book, share a favorite quote.
- Mother's Day card-making (for everyone). Cards for mothers, grandmothers, and women who mentor. Be sensitive to sisters for whom Mother's Day is hard.
- Temple and family history night. Help sisters find a family name to take to the temple.
- Spring hike. Easy trail, short devotional, carpool sign-up.
What are some summer Relief Society activity ideas?
- Park picnic. Families welcome; bring blankets and lawn games.
- Salsa or ice cream bar night. Sisters bring toppings; low effort, high fun.
- Canning class. Jam, salsa, or peaches with an experienced canner.
- Paint night outdoors. Simple canvases and a beginner video.
- Service in the community. Pick a project from JustServe where available.
- Water balloon fight (seriously). A playful night for young mothers and empty nesters alike.
- Pioneer Day treats. Learn a pioneer recipe and share stories of faith from your own family. See our Pioneer Day ward activity ideas.
- Ministering picnic. Ministering companionships sit together and plan visits.
- Basic home repair. Fix a running toilet, patch drywall, or reset a breaker with a handy member.
- Stargazing night. Telescopes, blankets, and a reading from Abraham 3.
What are some fall Relief Society activity ideas?
- Soup night. Several sisters bring soups; everyone takes home recipes.
- Freezer meal workshop. Assemble meals to stock the ward freezer for families in need.
- Fall wreath making. Grapevine wreaths, faux leaves, and a hot-glue station.
- Gratitude dinner. Each sister shares one thing she is grateful for; keep it optional.
- Emergency preparedness night. 72-hour kits and family communication plans.
- Pie baking class. Crust from scratch; deliver pies to new move-ins.
- Women's conference watch party. Watch a recent general women's session or a devotional together and discuss.
- Chili cook-off. Pair with the ward. See our ward chili cook-off guide.
- Quilt tying for charity. Classic for a reason.
- Self-care night. Simple hand massages, homemade sugar scrubs, and quiet conversation.
What are some winter and Christmas Relief Society activity ideas?
- Christmas devotional dinner. Candlelight, a few sisters sharing Christmas memories, and the Nativity story.
- Nativity display night. Sisters bring nativity sets from home with a card sharing their story.
- Neighbor gift assembly. Make simple treats for neighbors, including those not of our faith.
- Ornament exchange. Handmade or under a set amount.
- Light the World service. Choose a service effort and invite friends.
- New Year's goal setting. Personal goals for spiritual, physical, social, and intellectual growth.
- Bread-making class. Warm and practical.
- Puzzle and soup night. Low key, perfect for January.
- Valentine's service. Make valentines for care centers.
- Indoor games night. Board games and conversation for sisters who need a mental break.
For more holiday ideas, see our ward Christmas party ideas.
What are some year-round Relief Society favorites?
- "Ask a Sister" panel. Sisters of different ages answer questions about faith, family, and life stages.
- Talent workshops. Several sisters teach 20-minute classes; others rotate.
- Mocktail bar. Fun drinks with fruit and sparkling water.
- Missionary letter night. Write to missionaries serving from the ward.
- Scripture marking party. Bring scriptures and colored pencils.
- Personal finance class. Debt reduction or saving basics.
- Grief and comfort night. A gentle evening for sisters who have lost loved ones.
- Cultural night. Sisters share food and traditions from their heritage.
- Mental health and wellness. Invite a qualified professional to share general tips.
- Welcome-to-the-ward brunch. For new move-ins.
What is Super Saturday in the Church?
Super Saturday is a traditional Relief Society event, usually held on a Saturday, where sisters rotate through several short workshops or craft classes in one day or morning. It is not a term defined in the General Handbook; it is a local tradition many wards and stakes still enjoy.
Modern Super Saturdays work best when they keep costs low and focus on skills and friendship rather than expensive crafts. Remember that "members should not usually pay to participate in activities," and expenses must be approved in advance by the bishopric or stake presidency.
10 Super Saturday class ideas
- Bread-making basics.
- Simple home repairs.
- Family history on your phone.
- Sourdough starter share.
- Hand lettering.
- Pressure cooker meals.
- Container gardening.
- Basic sewing and mending.
- Budgeting with an app.
- Family home evening ideas for small children.
How to run a Super Saturday
- Pick 4 to 6 classes and run each class twice so sisters can attend two or three.
- Ask sisters to sign up ahead so teachers know how many supplies to prepare.
- Provide a simple lunch or snack.
- Offer childcare only with enough adults to meet the two-adult rule.
- If it is a stake Super Saturday, the stake Relief Society presidency coordinates and stake activities require stake presidency approval.
Comparison: activity formats
| Format | Effort | Best for | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-topic night | Low | Busy wards | Soup night |
| Rotating workshops | Medium | Variety | Super Saturday |
| Service project | Low to medium | Unity | Freezer meals |
| Outdoor outing | Medium | Friendship | Spring hike |
| Combined with elders quorum | Medium | Whole ward | Chili cook-off |
Do Relief Society activities need waivers or forms?
Most do not. Adult activities do not require parental permission. If your activity involves higher-risk elements, such as a guided kayak trip or rock climbing gym, follow Church safety guidance and any waivers the venue requires. If young women join a combined activity that involves an overnight stay, lengthy travel, or higher than ordinary risks, parents must give written permission (General Handbook 20.7.4).
If young women or children are coming along on one of those, you can text parents one Ward Waivers link. They read the details and sign on their phone, and you see who still needs to sign. It does not replace any official form your bishop or stake president asks you to use. Set up your activity.
How do you make Relief Society activities welcoming to every sister?
Relief Society "is a divinely instituted organization for all adult women in the Church," including young adults, single sisters, new members, and sisters who have not attended in a while. Simple habits help everyone feel welcome: assign a friendly greeter, introduce newcomers by name, avoid inside jokes, offer rides, and follow up with sisters who came for the first time.
How do you budget for Relief Society activities?
Relief Society activities are paid for from the ward budget. "Any expenses must be approved in advance by the bishopric or stake presidency" (General Handbook 20.2.6). Plan your year's activities with the bishop early so funds can be allocated, favor simple activities over elaborate decorations, share supplies with other organizations, and avoid asking sisters to buy expensive craft kits. If a class at Super Saturday needs supplies, budget for them rather than charging sisters.
How do you measure whether an activity helped?
Attendance is only one signal. Ask the presidency and ministering sisters a few questions afterward: Did a sister who rarely comes feel welcome? Did new friendships form? Did someone receive help they needed? Those answers matter more than the head count.
Week-by-week Relief Society activity timeline
| Week | Steps |
|---|---|
| 6 weeks out | Pick the idea and purpose; discuss with the bishop |
| 5 weeks out | Request budget; reserve the room |
| 4 weeks out | Recruit teachers or helpers; post sign-up |
| 3 weeks out | Announce in Relief Society and the ward newsletter |
| 2 weeks out | Ministering sisters invite personally, especially sisters who rarely come |
| 1 week out | Buy supplies; confirm childcare if offered |
| Day of | Set up 45 minutes early; open with prayer |
Printable Relief Society activity checklist
- ☐ Purpose written in one sentence
- ☐ Bishop consulted; budget approved
- ☐ Room or building reserved (not Monday after 6:00 p.m.)
- ☐ Lead sister and helpers assigned
- ☐ Personal invitations made through ministering
- ☐ Accessibility checked (parking, stairs, seating)
- ☐ Childcare plan, if offered: two adults, protection training complete
- ☐ Supplies bought and receipts kept
- ☐ Opening prayer assigned
- ☐ Cleanup crew named
- ☐ Thank-you notes sent
Variations for different sisters: a daytime option for retired sisters, a children-welcome evening for young mothers, and a later start time for sisters who work.
Frequently asked questions
Who plans Relief Society activities?
The Relief Society president oversees activities. She may ask a counselor, an activity coordinator, or another sister to take the lead. The presidency discusses activities with the bishop as part of their planning.
How often should Relief Society hold activities?
The General Handbook does not set a required frequency for Relief Society activities. Presidencies decide based on the needs of the sisters, and chapter 20 cautions that activities should not put undue burdens on leaders and members.
What is Super Saturday?
Super Saturday is a traditional Relief Society event where sisters attend several short classes or workshops on a Saturday. It is a local tradition rather than a General Handbook program.
Can sisters be asked to pay for Relief Society activities?
Generally no. Members should not usually pay to participate in activities, and expenses must be approved in advance by the bishopric. Activities should be simple and low-cost.
What are good Relief Society Christmas activity ideas?
A candlelit Christmas devotional dinner, a nativity display night, neighbor gift assembly, and a Light the World service project are all simple, Christ-centered options.
Can Relief Society and elders quorum hold activities together?
Yes. The General Handbook says members of the Relief Society and elders quorum work in unity. Combined service projects, dinners, and family activities are common. See our elders quorum activity ideas.
How do we include sisters who cannot come at night?
Rotate times, hold an occasional Saturday morning or daytime event, and offer ways to participate from home, such as making cards or meals for a service project.
Ward Waivers is an independent service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These resources provide general organizational information, not legal advice. Follow current Church guidance, local leader direction, and any required official forms.