January: "Baptism" w/ Little Ones
Our Family’s “Baptism” Jesus Celebration 🎉
This month, I created a simple, multi-sensory, heart-centered way to help my daughter explore the principle of baptism as not just as an event, but as a relationship with Jesus.
Below are a few of the ways we experienced it together.
1. Reflection Questions — Storytelling Magic
During dinner, we shared stories about what our relationship with Christ has felt like and helped our 5-year-old recognize moments when she has already lived like Him.
Us Parents: We both reflected on this question:
When did Jesus Christ help me represent Him this year? How did it feel?
With my daughter I shared the memory of feeling Jesus’ love while listening to Primary songs, and how I chose to be baptized at eight.
Our child:When did you act like Jesus recently?
(Comforting a sibling, helping at home, being kind.)
How did it feel?
Did you know that acting like Jesus is part of a promise we make when we’re baptized?
2. Create & Taste — A Baptism Dessert Experience
I prepared the Jell-O earlier according to the package directions and set it on the table with plates, forks, whipped cream, and animal crackers.
Then I shared the story:
“Baptism is an ordinance. Jesus taught that to live with Him someday, we need to be baptized and receive the Holy Ghost.”
I picked up two animal crackers and introduced them as Jesus and John the Baptist.
“Jesus came to John the Baptist and asked to be baptized. John dipped Him all the way into the water…”
(I dipped the Jesus cracker fully into the Jell-O and lifted it back out, and my 5 year old squealed with delight.)
“And God said, ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’
Then the Holy Ghost came down as gently as a dove.”
(I gently squirted whipped cream down all over the Jesus cracker, which made her laugh.)
My 5 year old was eager to try it herself.
What we used:
One box of blue Jell-O
Teddy Grahams or animal crackers
Whipped cream
[For food sensitivities, consider white grape juice jello made with Knox unflavored gelatin and gluten-free animal crackers.]
3. Children's Book — Heartfelt Learning
As she had her dessert, I talked about how Jesus is a great friend (like Mr Rogers, I said, who she calls her friend). And baptism is where we make a special promise to stay close to Jesus and feel loved and safe. We reviewed the baptismal promises and confirmation using the illustrations and flaps from My Covenant Path with Jesus.
To set the tone, we also used our themed banner—one base that we reuse each month, simply swapping out the center tag. This month’s theme read:
“Baptism: I choose Jesus’ way.” Sign up for Natalie's e-letters below to receive the banner and these monthly gospel principle highlights.
