Spiritual Activity

Build a Prayer Jar

A prayer jar helps children think of meaningful things to talk to Heavenly Father about. This activity combines a simple craft with a short discussion about gratitude, concern for others, and asking for help.

Time25 to 35 minutes
Best ForCraft night, small groups, or one-room discussion
SpaceTables or desks with room for decorating
SuppliesJars or cups, paper slips, markers, ribbon, tape, glue dots, stickers

How To Run It

  1. Show a sample prayer jar and explain that it can help children remember different people, needs, and blessings when they pray at home.
  2. Give each child a jar, cup, or small container to decorate with ribbon, paper, stickers, labels, or twine.
  3. Talk together about prayer categories such as family, friends, gratitude, challenges, service, missionaries, and people who may need comfort.
  4. Let the children write one prompt on each strip of paper, then fold the strips and place them inside the jar.
  5. Invite each child to pull out one or two slips and practice saying how they could turn those prompts into a personal prayer.
  6. End by encouraging them to use the jar during the week whenever they want help thinking about what to pray for.

Simple Supply Options

  • Containers: Mason jars, recycled jam jars, plastic cups with lids, clean food cans wrapped in paper, or sturdy paper cups all work.
  • Decorations: Washi tape, yarn, baker's twine, ribbon, scrapbook paper, stickers, foam shapes, or pre-cut cardstock labels keep prep easy.
  • Prompt slips: Cut cardstock or printer paper into strips ahead of time so more of the activity can be spent discussing prayer.
  • Easy leader prep: Pre-punch tags, pre-cut paper strips, and bring a few finished samples so the children can choose a direction quickly.

What To Put Inside

  • People: Parents, siblings, grandparents, friends, teachers, leaders, missionaries, and someone who feels lonely.
  • Gratitude: Home, scriptures, Jesus Christ, health, nature, church, talents, and answers to prayer.
  • Needs: Help with fear, kindness, obedience, school, repentance, patience, or making good choices.
  • Service prompts: Someone to help, someone to forgive, or someone to encourage this week.

Helpful Tips

  • Leaders can ask parents ahead of time to have their child bring a clean jar from home that they would like to decorate. This can save money and give each child a container they already feel excited about using.
  • Use glue dots or double-sided tape if wet glue will slow the group down too much.
  • For younger children, pre-print some prompt strips so they can choose and color them instead of writing every idea themselves.
  • If jars feel too expensive, a decorated paper cup or recycled food container works just as well for the spiritual purpose of the activity.
  • Keep the conversation gentle and simple. The goal is to help children feel that prayer can be personal and thoughtful, not scripted.

Leader Inspiration Board

This image gives leaders a few simple directions to copy: a twine-wrapped mason jar, a ribbon-and-tag jar, a tissue-paper cup version, and a bright sticker-covered option for younger children.

Four prayer jar craft ideas displayed together for Activity Days leaders, including jars and cups with ribbon, tags, prompt slips, and simple decorations
The point of the picture is variety, not perfection. Any simple container that helps children collect prayer prompts will work.

Printable Prayer Prompt Cards

Print these cards for leaders or cut them apart for children to place directly in their jars. They work well as a starting point if the group needs help thinking of ideas.

Easy format: Mix gratitude prompts, people prompts, and help-me prompts so the jar feels balanced and personal.