A first temple visit is a milestone families remember for years — but if you've ever tried to keep young kids engaged during a long drive and a quiet, formal setting, you know it takes some planning to make the day feel special instead of stressful.
Here's how to set the trip up so it actually sticks as a good memory.
Before the Trip: Set Expectations
Kids do better with new experiences when they know roughly what to expect. A few days before, talk through:
- What the building looks like and what happens there (in age-appropriate terms)
- How to dress and why the day feels a little more formal than usual
- What they can look forward to afterward — lunch out, a treat, time exploring the grounds
Setting expectations early cuts down on the "why do we have to be so quiet" questions on the actual day.
During the Drive: Give the Trip a Purpose
If the temple isn't close by, the car ride is often the hardest part for younger kids. Instead of screens, give the drive a purpose tied to the destination:
- An activity book they can work on that's related to the temple itself, like My Temple Journey, turns the drive into part of the experience instead of dead time before it
- A simple "spot it" game with things you'll see near the temple (the grounds, the spires, other families)
- A short discussion about what makes the day different from a regular Sunday
At the Temple: Keep It Simple
You don't need an elaborate plan once you're there. Walking the grounds, taking a few photos near the entrance, and letting kids ask questions covers most of what makes the visit meaningful. If it's a first visit for younger kids who won't go inside, focus on the grounds experience — most temples have beautiful, walkable grounds that make a great backdrop for the day.
After the Trip: Make the Memory Last
This is the part families often skip, and it's the easiest way to make the day stick:
- Scratch off or mark the visit in an activity book. If you started the trip with something like My Temple Journey or My Temple Journey: Utah Edition, finishing it off after the visit gives kids a visible, physical record of the day.
- Print a photo from the day and add it to a family album or keepsake box.
- Talk about it that evening — even a short conversation at dinner about their favorite part helps the memory stick.
Turning One Visit Into a Family Tradition
Families who keep visiting temples together over the years usually have one thing in common: the first trip felt good, not stressful. Giving kids something to do on the drive, keeping expectations simple once you're there, and marking the day afterward are small things — but they're what turn a single visit into a tradition kids actually look forward to.
Scott & Riah
Brough Made
https://broughmade.com
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