This is a really fun and purposeful way to help you teach the children The Hearts of the Children Primary song (archives) with a unique hidden passage to unlock as you finish! In this The Hearts of the Children Word Search you will search for different keywords from the song with a variety of different ways to engage with the words you’ve already found. Then, reveal the connected scripture passage at the end.
The Hearts of the Children Word Search
Sing through The Hearts of the Children (flip chart here) once, before beginning this activity.
Post the word search puzzle up on the board along with the keyword bank. Invite a child to come up and search for a word. Have that child circle the word. As you sing through the song the next time, clap as you sing that word!
Invite another child to come up and search for the next word. Now, you’ll clap for BOTH keywords! Keep singing through the song and searching for keywords. You’ll get through the song 10 different times! Or, you can circle two keywords each time through if you’re shorter on time.
When you have found all of the keywords, write down all of the letters that are left up on the board. What do you find? (Malachi 4 verses 5-6). Read the scripture reference together. Share your testimony of what a miracle it is that we have the blessings of the temple and the knowledge of eternal families.
Extension Activities:
- Skip singing the keyword from the word search. This will reinforce the children learning the words as they silently sing the word in their mind to keep track of where you are at in the song and the kids will find it so fun! This is like singing “B-I-N-G-O” where you eliminate a letter and clap instead.
- Add a unique action for each of the keywords you find.
- Cut up the word bank keywords. Hide the keywords around the room and let the children hunt for the keywords, then find them in the word search.
- Use the small quarter page word search and pass one out to each child or the 1-page word search and pass out the puzzle to each class to work on together. Challenge the children to find keywords hidden while you sing through the song a few times in a row. How many keywords did you find? Who finished first?
- Use an alternate keyword banks to change up the challenge. You can use the blanks to let the kids listen for keywords from the song that might be in the word search. Search for keywords and when you find one – fill it in on the keyword bank sheet in one of the matching blanks. Or use the keyword bank with one letter as a clue. You can pair this with the colored word search for younger Primary children to help them more easily find the keywords hidden within the puzzle.
For another fun similar activity, head over to see this The Priesthood is Restored Word Search singing time activity!
The Hearts of the Children Word Search Printable Song Helps
This free in-post printable includes a 1-page word search and keyword bank!
This activity has extended printables available including a larger 4-page word search, 1/4 page word search to pass out to each child, unique keyword bank and helps, and a series of unique actions to add. You’ll find these bonus printables included in the INSTANT Primary Singing membership when The Hearts of the Children 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.
You won’t want to miss this fun The Hearts of the Children Keyword Pairs activity to help the children connect the song lyrics together and remember the words.
What other fun ways will you use this word search singing time activity in your Primary room?
