I can’t think of a better way to review this classic Christmas hymn, Silent Night (archives), than by lighting up your primary room with finger lights! This is a great way to add in movement and interest that ties into the the them – a quiet silent night that you can light up with your little finger lights!
Your Junior and Senior primary children will love this fun Silent Night Finger Lights activity with simple actions for each line of the song!
Silent Night Finger Lights
If you are still deciding which songs you want to teach for Christmas this year, be sure to check out our post with over 100+ Christmas Primary Songs! Silent Night is a great song pick because it’s one that is almost always sung in sacrament during this season.
There is something about light that just captures a child’s attention immediately! It’s no wonder that so many families love seeing the beautiful, twinkling lights during the holiday season.
For a fun way to review this lullaby-like Christmas song, grab some finger lights and have some fun following along with simple actions as you sing!
I’ve created a finger lights pattern for the first verse of this song that includes actions for each line. You can find a full outline of the pattern, as well as a printable version with colorful visuals later in this post.
How to Play:
Start by singing through the first verse of Silent Night (flip chart here!) as a quick review. Then, pass out finger lights, one for each child. A quick tip for passing out things in primary is to give a handful of items to each teacher to make it go a little faster.
Introduce the activity by turning off the lights and turning on your finger light. Quickly bring your finger light to your lips as you sing, “Silent night, holy night.” This is a great attention-grabber. Then, point your finger light up to the sky like a star as you sing, “All is calm all is bright.”
At this point, the kids have probably turned on their finger lights too. Just let them explore their light as you continue demonstrating the actions one time. Sing through the song once with all the actions as they light up the room with their own finger lights.
Are you ready to try it with me? Let’s do it together. Does anyone remember what our first action for this song was? See if the kids can remember the “shh” action, then post the finger lights pattern on the board. Use the visuals to help you as you go through each action.
Once the kids are familiar with the pattern, try it a few more times as you sing together! Finish by turning on the lights and collecting all the finger lights.
As you collect the lights, you might ask questions like, “What might our lights represent?” and “Who is the Light?” You can have a brief discussion about how the Savior brings light into our lives and share your testimony to close. This is a great way to wrap it all up and incorporate a spiritual tie-in.
Finger Lights Pattern:
- Finger to Lips – “Silent night, holy night”
- Finger up to the sky – “All is calm, all is bright”
- Draw a Circle – “Round yon’ virgin, mother and child”
- Draw a Smiley Face – “Holy infant, so tender and mild”
- Wiggle Down Slowly – “Sleep in heavenly”
- Rest Finger Under Head – “Peace”
*Be sure to repeat the last two actions since that line is sung twice at the end of the verse.
Extension Activities:
- Divide the room into 2 sides. Point to each side and alternate singing each line of the song and doing the corresponding finger light actions. Have the side that is not singing turn off their lights until it’s their turn. You could even make it a little competition to see which side sings the best/loudest!
- Have the kids help you come up with your own actions for the song! This is a great way to get everyone involved. Just go through the song line by line and take ideas for actions to follow the lyrics.
- Add in some ribbon wands or dance scarves! This pattern works great with both these manipulatives as well, so just randomly pass out an item to each child and sing through the song. Then, have them switch items with a partner and sing it again!
For another fun similar activity, head over to see this I Will Be What I Believe Finger Lights singing time activity!
Silent Night Finger Lights Printable Song Helps
This free in-post printable includes a 2-page pattern for the first verse of this song with visuals that are super easy to follow!
Join INSTANT Primary Singing for extended printables including additional finger light actions for the 2nd and 3rd verse, 1-page guides, and black and white printables. You’ll find these bonus files included when Silent Night is the featured song of the month.
Get more out of singing time with the INSTANT Primary Singing membership that includes printable lesson plans, tons of extended printables and an ad-free experience for each featured song of the month, or get immediate access to the entire song list for the year!
Learn more about INSTANT Primary Singing membership options here!
Have questions or need more help, see this FAQ page here.
Keep a look out for more fun Silent Night Singing Time Ideas to use this holiday season!
What other fun ways will you use this finger lights singing time activity in your Primary room?
