Primary Birthday Party

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Print

The primary is celebrating its birthday August 25th so I thought it’s only appropriate to throw a primary birthday party in singing time!

Camille's Primary Ideas: We Welcome You Primary Birthday singing time ideas

**This post contains an affiliate link.  That means I receive a small commission from sales at no cost to you.  But know that I wouldn’t recommend this product if I didn’t LOVE it!

Our primary sings used to sing the first half of We Welcome You to all the visitors and we LOVE it.  Find how we use it to welcome visitors HERE.

Camille's Primary Ideas: We Welcome You singing time ideas

But did you know the 2nd portion of this song was written specifically to celebrate the birthday of the primary?  Who knew the primary had a birthday?? Teach a little bit about primary history all while learning a new primary song!

History of Primary

There’s some great information HERE if you want to learn more!  I summarized the key points below that are used in the activity.

Party Prep

For some added fun, decorate the primary room!  Feel free to go all out or just keep it simple.  I prefer to do a little in-be-tween but here are some ideas:
  • Crepe paper
  • Party decor
  • Helium balloons
  • Birthday banner
  • Streamers

This pack from Amazon is cute and generic (Amazon affiliate link):

Once you’ve decorated your primary room (or not), hang the following images on the board:

Reader Jen created these images that she shared…thanks Jen! Access my printables at my Resource Library.  Instructions for accessing my Resource Library are found at the bottom of this post.

These images are pretty ink-heavy so you may consider printing as an 8×10 photo at Costco or your favorite photo printing shop!

You can also print the full image HERE – it’s just a little small.  And also available to download using the button below.

Primary Birthday Mural History

Then print these words (and optionally, place each image in a sheet protector).

Balloons

Now for the REAL fun! Fill 14 balloons (28 if you have Jr. and Sr.) with a slip of paper, blow up and tie.

Cut this printable into slips to place into each balloon:

Camille's Primary Ideas: We Welcome You Primary Birthday singing time ideas
Camille's Primary Ideas: We Welcome You Primary Birthday singing time ideas

Again, this is available in my Resource Library.

Number each balloon using a sharpie marker to match the number on the slip of paper inside (example: balloon containing #1 slip of paper should have “1” written on it with a marker  – just so you know what order to pop the balloons).

TIP:  to carry the balloons to church, place them in a large garbage bag(s), keeping Jr. and Sr. balloons separate!

Hang the filled & numbered balloons all around the 3 pictures on the board using tape.
 
Then make a balloon popper using some sort of stick or dowel with a pin taped to the tip.  Or just use a pin if you think your kids will be comfortable popping balloons without a little distance ;).

Primary Party Time!

Tell the primary that the primary’s birthday is August 25th, 1878.  Sr. Primary can figure out how old that makes it.
 
Sing happy birthday to the primary by using the “birthday” words for We Welcome You posted on the board.  Feel free to have them clap along to the beat (It’s a very upbeat song!).
 
Tell the kids that there is more to this song and it’s all about the the purpose of primary.  To find out more about Primary, you need helpers to come pop the balloons (in numerical order).
 
Have kids come pop a balloon, read the slip, sing or read the phrase that comes out.  Continue until all the balloons are popped, the phrases have all been sung and the paragraphs all read.
 
Additionally, feel free to add in simple actions to help with movement.  The primary can help you if you need!
 
Post the slips of paper containing the words of the song on the board as needed for prompts.

Update

There was some discussion about balloons being irreverent, distractive and maybe scaring the kids by the loud popping.  Today, after the activity (at least for our primary), none of the above happened.
 
I was able to maintain reverence and not have any crying, kids.  I did, however, make sure that when I blew up the balloons that they weren’t filled to capacity and we had a nice lengthy stick that the pin was taped to.  It made them a little harder to pop but when they did pop, it was a lot softer.

Check out this quick tutorial video for accessing the Resource Library:

These printables are filed on my Resource Library page under Song Title > We Welcome You.

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Print

Make singing time easy!

Get it to go!

Singing time just got even easier!  With my Singing Time To-Go, all you have to do is print!  Be prepared for the entire month – every month!

Camille's Primary Ideas: Singing Time To-Go Membership

7 thoughts on “Primary Birthday Party”

  1. Thanks A Lot! I think we will have a cupcake walk also! 🙂 My friend has a pennant bunting like yours in the pic, so I think I need to borrow it and have it hanging for the celebration!

  2. I ran this idea past the president and she's concerned with popping balloons and being irreverent. Any alternatives you can think of?

    I have been the chorister for only a couple months and your blog has been so helpful! Thank you!

    1. Hi Amanda!

      I would suggest that if you are not up to balloons, draw a chalk cake on the board and print 14 big candles, number them & laminate. Then tape the slips of paper to the back of each candle. Each child can come up and pick the next candle. I'd put them out of order on the cake.

      Good luck!

      ~Camille

    2. Thanks Camille for your response! I ended up using a large tri-fold poster board with balloons stuck in it (It's really hard to prep the room ahead of time). Instead of popping them, I just taped the phrase somewhere on the balloon. Not quite as fun as popping them, but the kids liked it!

  3. I love this idea–so fun! I have done balloon popping activities and it has been fun for the primary. However, I have had little sunbeams get scared and sad when the balloons popped. I thought I might try paper balloons in junior that they just pick off of the board and real balloons in senior. Or, instead of popping the balloons, just having a paper rolled up and tied to the string on the balloon.

  4. Such a fun idea that I never would have thought of myself, thank you! I used your idea today and it was a huge hit. I didn't have anyone who worried about the sound of the popping balloons (although this was an issue once, I just asked them in advance today what they preferred) and they were extra engaged and reverent. I actually tied the papers on the outside of the balloons for junior primary, but they voted to pop the balloons regardless if they could sing the words perfectly! They sang out beautifully, and I love this song!

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Be prepared in singing time for the entire month – every month!  And all you have to do is print!

Recommended singing time supplies:

Camille's Primary Ideas: A Child's Prayer Singing Time Ideas

Primary Singing Time Ideas for Teaching A Child’s Prayer

These singing time ideas for teaching the Primary song, A Child’s Prayer will help your Primary fall in love all over again with this song! My favorite is using a match-up activity that puts the double melody together!  But whatever you choose, these A Child’s Prayer singing time ideas are bound to accommodate your Primary’s learning style and needs!

Camille's Primary Ideas: The Holy Ghost singing time ideas

The Holy Ghost Singing Time Ideas

You may notice a recurring theme for teaching The Holy Ghost in singing time … simplified ASL.  However, if signing isn’t your thing, check out these other singing time ideas for teaching The Holy Ghost.

Gain access to ALL my free lesson plan printables

    Hundreds of printables organized by song title and category that coincide with my singing time lesson plan posts!

    New Primary Music Leader?

    Sign up to receive emails to get you started in singing time!

    Make singing time easy!

    Get it to-go!

    Singing time just got even easier!  With my Singing Time To-Go, all you have to do is print!  Be prepared for the entire month – every month!