50+ Young Women Activity Ideas for LDS Leaders and Class Presidencies
Young Women activities are weekday gatherings where young women ages 12 to 18 in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serve, learn, and have fun together. Class presidencies plan them with adult leaders, balancing spiritual, social, physical, and intellectual growth. Here are 50+ ideas organized by those four areas.
Class presidencies: this list is meant to be handed to you, not to an adviser. Each idea shows the time it takes and the ages it works for, and the cost table further down helps when you need budget approval.
What are Young Women activities?
Young Women activities are the regular midweek activities for young women in a ward. Young women join a Young Women class beginning in January of the year they turn 12, and classes are organized by age-groups (General Handbook 11.1.3).
According to the General Handbook, "Class presidencies, supported by adult leaders, plan service and activities." Activities should build testimonies, strengthen families, foster class unity, and provide opportunities to bless others. They are "balanced among four areas of personal growth: spiritual, social, physical, and intellectual" (General Handbook 11.2.1.3).
A few key facts every new adviser should know:
- How often: Youth activities are usually held weekly, at times other than Sundays or Monday evenings. Where distance or safety makes that impractical, they should generally be held at least monthly.
- Who plans: The class presidency leads the planning. Adults support, mentor, and handle logistics the youth cannot.
- Combined activities: "Some service and activities should include both young men and young women, especially for older youth." See our combined youth activity ideas.
- Supervision: At least two responsible adult leaders should be present at all activities.
- Budget: Activities, including supplies, are paid for by the ward budget.
The Church also publishes a Sample Service and Activity Planner and idea pages on the Youth Activities resource.
How should a class presidency choose activities?
Before reaching for a list, start with the young women themselves. A simple planning rhythm:
- Counsel together. In a class presidency meeting, ask: What do the girls in our class need right now? Who has not come in a while?
- Balance the four areas. Map the next month or quarter so you are not doing crafts every week. A simple grid of spiritual, social, physical, and intellectual keeps things fresh.
- Assign an owner. One young woman leads each activity, with an adult who helps with purchases, building reservations, and rides.
- Invite everyone. Plan how each girl will be personally invited, especially those who are new, less active, or not members of the Church.
- Reflect afterward. Spend two minutes at the next presidency meeting asking what worked.
What are some spiritual Young Women activity ideas?
These activities help young women grow closer to Jesus Christ. Keep them interactive; a spiritual activity does not need to feel like a second Sunday lesson.
- Scripture art night. Each girl picks a favorite verse and hand-letters it on a canvas or card. Supplies: card stock, markers, washi tape. Time: 60 minutes. Ages: all.
- Temple prep walk. Walk the temple grounds (if one is nearby) and share what each girl hopes to feel in the temple someday. Time: 60 to 90 minutes. Ages: all.
- Family history indexing race. Pair girls up to index records on FamilySearch, then celebrate total records completed. Time: 60 minutes. Supplies: phones or laptops.
- Testimony jar. Each girl writes a short experience of feeling the Spirit, then a leader reads them aloud anonymously while the class listens. Time: 45 minutes.
- Come, Follow Me game night. Turn this month's reading into Jeopardy or Pictionary. Time: 60 minutes.
- Missionary panel. Invite recently returned missionaries to answer questions. Time: 60 minutes.
- Hymn stories. Each girl researches the story behind a hymn and shares it before the group sings a verse.
- Personal Development goal workshop. Help girls set their own goals in the four areas. The General Handbook notes leaders "should not track the young women's goals or progress," so keep this supportive, not checklist-driven.
- Christlike attributes scavenger hunt. Hide cards describing an attribute with a scripture reference; when found, read and discuss.
- For the Strength of Youth night. The General Handbook lists at least one annual activity emphasizing the principles in For the Strength of Youth. Use small-group discussions and real-life scenarios.
What are some social Young Women activity ideas?
Social activities build friendships across age-groups, which matters a lot when a class spans 12- to 18-year-olds.
- Progressive dinner. Appetizer, main course, and dessert at three leaders' homes (with two adults at each stop). Time: 2 hours.
- Game night tournament. Card games, board games, and a bracket. Cheap and easy. Time: 90 minutes.
- Cookie decorating swap. Each girl decorates a dozen, keeps half, and delivers half to a ward member.
- Paint and sip (sparkling cider). Follow a beginner painting video together. Supplies: canvases, acrylics.
- Minute to Win It. Ten quick challenges with cups, balloons, and cookies. Great for mixing ages.
- Outdoor movie night. A projector, sheet, and blankets; pick a family-friendly film. Check that media fits Church standards.
- Mother-daughter or mentor tea. Invite mothers or a woman mentor to a simple tea and conversation.
- Etiquette dinner. Fancy-ish dinner where girls learn table manners and practice conversation.
- Talent sharing night. Each girl teaches the group something she can do in five minutes.
- Birthday month celebration. Celebrate everyone with a birthday this month with a small treat and kind notes.
What are some physical Young Women activity ideas?
Physical activities give energy and confidence. Adjust for different abilities so no one feels left out.
- Yoga or stretching night. Use a free beginner video; bring mats or towels.
- Hike and devotional. A short local trail with a five-minute devotional at the top.
- Volleyball or pickleball. Use the cultural hall; borrow equipment.
- Self-defense basics. Invite a qualified instructor. Higher energy, so plan safety and consider a parent permission form.
- Kayaking or paddleboarding. Higher risk; follow Church safety guidance for water activities and collect written parent permission.
- Obstacle course. Build it from cones, hula hoops, and pool noodles.
- Dance class. A line dance or swing dance lesson; great preparation for youth dances.
- Bike ride. Helmets required; plan route and adult positions at front and back.
- Rock climbing gym. A professional facility with staff; collect permission forms and the gym's own waivers.
- Camp skills night. Practice tent setup, knots, and fire safety before Young Women camp.
What are some intellectual Young Women activity ideas?
Intellectual activities build skills for life, school, and future careers.
- Basic car maintenance. Change a tire, check oil, and jump-start a car with a ward member who knows cars.
- Budgeting game. Give each girl a pretend paycheck and a list of bills.
- Cooking class. Learn three simple meals; take recipes home.
- Career night. Invite women in different careers to share what they do and how they got there.
- First aid and CPR basics. Invite a certified instructor.
- Resume and interview practice. Mock interviews with leaders or ward members.
- Sewing basics. Sew a button, hem pants, or make a simple pillow.
- Photography walk. Learn composition tips on phones, then share favorite shots.
- Book club. Read a short, uplifting book together over a month.
- Learn a language phrase night. Missionary-language basics from returned missionaries.
What are some service Young Women activity ideas?
Service runs through all four areas. The Church points to JustServe for community opportunities where it is available.
- Care kits. Hygiene or school kits for a local shelter.
- Thank-you notes. Write notes for teachers, first responders, or ward members serving quietly.
- Yard cleanup. Help an elderly ward member or neighbor with leaves or weeds (with permission).
- Primary helpers night. Plan a fun activity for Primary children (with Primary leaders present).
- Baby blankets. Tie fleece blankets for a hospital or pregnancy center.
- Library or food bank shift. Check age requirements ahead of time.
- Ministering visits. Go with adult leaders to visit sisters who would love company.
For a deeper list, see LDS youth service project ideas.
What activities work for older young women (16 to 18)?
- Relief Society transition night. Invite the Relief Society presidency to share what to expect. The General Handbook includes a section on helping young women prepare to join Relief Society.
- Institute and college prep. Talk about choosing schools, scholarships, and institute.
- Mission prep panel. Sister missionaries share what helped them prepare.
- Adulting 101. Renting an apartment, filling out forms, and setting up a budget.
- Plan-your-own activity. Let the oldest class plan and run an activity for the younger girls.
Which activities need a permission slip?
Most weekly activities at the meetinghouse do not need written forms. The General Handbook requires written consent from parents or guardians for Church activities that include "an overnight stay, lengthy travel, or higher than ordinary risks," using the Church's Permission and Medical Release form (General Handbook 20.7.4).
| Activity type | Written permission usually needed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Game night at the church | No | Parents informed in advance |
| Local hike | Ask your bishopric | Depends on risk and distance |
| Kayaking, climbing, self-defense | Yes | Higher than ordinary risk |
| Young Women camp | Yes | Overnight; see our youth camp waiver checklist |
| Temple trip far from home | Yes | Lengthy travel |
Young Women camp is the big one each year. 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.
What do Young Women activities cost?
These are estimates for a class of about 8 young women in the United States. Prices vary by area. Bring a number like this to the bishopric when you ask for approval.
| Idea type | Examples | Estimate for 8 young women |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Temple grounds walk, journaling night, ministering notes | $0 to $10 |
| Low cost | Baking for neighbors, simple crafts, service kits | $25 to $60 |
| Moderate | Self-defense class, climbing gym, cooking class with a member | $60 to $160 |
| Camp (annual) | Young Women camp | Ask your stake; participants may be asked to help pay if budget is short |
For camp, the handbook allows leaders to ask participants to pay part of one annual extended camp if the budget is not enough, and says "Lack of personal funds should not keep a member from participating" (General Handbook 20.6.2).
What if the weather ruins an outdoor activity?
| Outdoor plan | Rainy-day swap |
|---|---|
| Temple prep walk | Temple pictures and "what I hope to feel" journaling in the Relief Society room |
| Park service project | Baby blanket tying or card writing indoors |
| Outdoor games night | Minute-to-win-it games in the cultural hall |
| Stargazing devotional | Lights-low devotional with a projected night-sky photo |
Decide by early afternoon and text parents and the class so everyone knows where to be.
Frequently asked questions
How often are Young Women activities held?
Youth activities are usually held weekly on a day other than Sunday or Monday evening. In areas where distance, safety, or other factors make weekly activities impractical, the General Handbook says activities may be held less often but should generally be held at least monthly.
Who plans Young Women activities?
Young Women class presidencies plan service and activities, supported by adult leaders. Adults help with budgets, building reservations, transportation, and safety, while the young women lead the ideas and invitations.
What age do girls start attending Young Women activities?
Young women join a Young Women class beginning in January of the year they turn 12. With parents' approval they may attend overnight camps from that point, and dances, youth conferences, and FSY conferences beginning in January of the year they turn 14.
What are the four areas of growth for Young Women activities?
Spiritual, social, physical, and intellectual. These come from Luke 2:52 and are the same four areas used in the Children and Youth program's personal development goals.
Do Young Women activities need two adults?
Yes. At least two responsible adult leaders should be present at all youth activities, and all adults who work with youth must complete the Church's children and youth protection training.
Can Young Women and Young Men have activities together?
Yes. The General Handbook says some service and activities should include both young men and young women, especially for older youth.
Who pays for Young Women activities?
Activities and supplies are paid for by the ward budget. For multiday activities like camp, leaders may ask participants to help pay if the budget is not enough, but no young woman should be kept from participating because she cannot pay.
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.