Mother Tell Me the Story Ribbon Wands

Have you taught the sweet Mother Tell Me the Story primary song for Mother’s Day before? You’ll love this song that sings just like a lullaby and incorporates Jesus!

With this fun Mother Tell me the Story Ribbon Wands pattern you’ll have an engaging way to teach the children the “mothers” part of the song that they sing in reply!

Mother Tell Me the Story Ribbon Wands

How to Play:

Sing through Mother, Tell Me the Story song (flipchart) once, before introducing this activity.

I specifically designed this activity to fit the 2^nd and 4^th verse “Mother” part of the song. But I have also included ribbon wand actions for the other 2 verses as well. I would recommend just focusing on one or 2 verses to teach with any given activity, though, so you might just pick one of these sets to use unless you’re simply reviewing the song.

Demonstrate the pattern while you sing through the verse together again.

Then, pass out ribbon wands and have the children follow along with you while you lead the song with the ribbon wand actions.

Invite a class to come up front anyone who would like to and lead the actions for you. Then, switch to another class and sing again!

Don’t shy away from ribbon wands, even the boys secretly enjoy them!! You can get Ribbon Wands on Amazon here. They’re super flexible and easy to use in Primary! If you want to easily make your own patterns, you’ll fall in love with my Ribbon Wand Action Cards!

Ribbon Wand Actions: (1^st and 3^rd Verse)

• Right & Left – Pull the ribbon wand to the right and to the left.
• Circle on Right – Draw a circle to one side making big swoops up and down in a circle.
• Draw a Heart – Trace the shape of a heart in the air in front of you.
• Low Arch – Sweep the ribbon wand up to the right and then swing it over to the left and repeat.

Ribbon Wand Actions: (2^nd and 4^th verse)

• Up & Down – Bring the wand up high to one side, then back down low.
• Big circles down low – One big circle low to the ground.
• Low Arch – Sweep the ribbon wand up to the right and then swing it over to the left and repeat.
• Wiggle downward – Bring the ribbon wand up high, then wiggle it in small left and right movements as you bring it downward toward the ground.

Extension Activities:

• These ribbon wand actions pair perfect for a unique and fun activity with the action hands lesson plan! Have one group do the actions for the first verse and third verse while the other group does the ribbon wand actions for the second verse and fourth verse, then pass the ribbon wand and switch which part each child sings!
• Wave the wand around wild and crazy as they sing the word “Mother” or “Child”.
• Freeze where you are on “Sleep” and pretend to be asleep.
• Sing extra slow and try to keep the ribbon wand actions in pace with the new speed.

For another fun similar activity, head over to see this Families Can Be Together Forever Ribbon Wands lesson plan!

Mother, Tell Me the Story Ribbon Wands Printable Chart

You’ll find a 1-page printable chart to coordinate with the ribbon wand actions for the 2nd and 4th verse included in this free in-post printable.

You’ll find additional full page action cards and additional actions for the 1st and 3rd verse included in the INSTANT Primary Singing membership in the April Book of Mormon packet.

To access the free in-post printables for this post, you’ll just need to create a free account or login with the Grow.me tool. Then, confirm by email and refresh the page and ALL my free printables will automatically unlock in every post!

For more information on why I use a content lock or how to create your account, you can see the FAQ page here.

For another engaging way to teach this song, head over to see these Mother, Tell Me the Story Hand Actions!

What other fun ways could you expand on this Mother Tell Me the Story Ribbon Wand actions?

This post may also be available in: English Español