Games &
Icebreakers
Big Room Games
Games for those of us with a big facility
Check out our newest big room games
Air Soccer
Two very wide goals are placed in the room- one for each team (you can just use
a designated wall for a goal). An inflated balloon is used for the ball and fans
are made of cardboard or plastic with a handle (you can use strips of wood and
use staples to hold the two together). The game is played by fanning the balloon
in to the other team goal (which can be difficult). The first team to get a goal
wins.
Added by Kevin Matthews
Ameba Race
Tie several crowds of people together with a rope around their perimeter and
have them race each other's group as a large "Ameba."
Ask The Sage
A good game for younger teens. Ask several volunteers to agree to be "Wise
Sages" for the evening. Ask them to dress up (optional) and wait in several
different rooms in your facility. The farther apart the Sages are the better.
Next, prepare a sheet for each youth that has questions that only a "Sage" would
be able to answer. They can be fun, silly, serious or related to your talk. Each
Sage should have the answer to only one or two questions.
The game works like this: give out your question sheet and a pen to each youth.
They must look for the Sages throughout the building. They are allowed to open
the door and check to see if a Sage is there. If there is, they must close the
door and petition the Sage to grant him or her an audience. They do this by
saying these exact words..."OH GREAT WISE SAGE, MAY I ENTER?" If they mess up
this phrase, the Sage will tell them to come back later. Youth must go from Sage
to Sage and cannot go to the same Sage twice in a row.
If the youth gains an audience with a sage, He may ask a question, but once
again, he/she must use the correct phrase..."OH GREAT WISE SAGE...(And then the
Question)". If they fail to say the correct phrase, the Sage would say something
like this..."You have not asked correctly". If the question is phrased
correctly, then the Sage may answer. If the Sage does not know the answer to
THAT question, the Sage should say something like... "I truly do not know". In
that case, the youth should make note not to ask that Sage the same question
again.
If the question is asked correctly, and the Sage knows the answer, then the
youth gets a correct answer.
The first youth with all the answers wins. This game stretches youth to be very
deliberate with their words.
Added by Shane Peters
Bible Smugglers
Materials: plastic spoons (they represent Bibles), one flashlight.
Have two leaders be "missionaries." They hide somewhere with the flashlight
turned on, holding it straight up. Each kid gets a "Bible" and they have to
bring it to the missionaries.
The Catch: They are in a foreign country and there are border guards everywhere
(these are the other youth staff). If a kid gets caught by a border guard, they
have to do what the guard says. The guard can be from any country (it's fun to
have crazy accents), and basically their job is to get the kids to tell them the
gospel message. The guards should ask questions like, "What are you doing?",
"What is a Bible?" "What is the Bible about?" "Who is this Jesus?" "What
happens if I believe in Jesus?", "What is Heaven?” etc. (you can throw in
things like, "In my country we believe in a million gods...") The kids get sent
to jail if they answer a question wrong or if they lie (such as if you ask them
what they are doing and they say, "just going for a midnight stroll"). If they
explain the message well then they can go on to find the missionaries. Once
they find the missionaries, they can come back to the start (which is where the
jail is located) and get more Bibles to deliver to the missionaries. When in
jail, the kids have to convince the guard to let them out of jail by the same
methods as getting by a border guard.
The Point: gets kids to solidify what they've learned concerning the salvation
message.
This game works best outdoors, like at a camp. However, it can also work in a
large church.
Added by Candice Thiessen
Big Balloon Bop
This is a simple game. Go to your local art supply or party supply store and buy
the biggest balloons they carry. (16" are cool, 3' are better). Divide the crowd
in two. Have numerous staff throw the balloons in the crowd and have the crowd
try to hit the balloons to the other side of the crowd.
A fun twist to the game is, when done, tell the kids to pop the balloons and
have #'s in a few of the balloons. Bring the kids with the #'s up front to use
in an up-front game or to give a prize to.
Big Squeeze, The
Easy game for a big group (at least 20, if not more). Quickly divide into 2
teams and announce that each team will be racing to squeeze into the shape of
the item mentioned. For example: if the leaders yells out the word "football"
the teams must squeeze into the shape of a football as would be seen from above.
Keep score- first team to 10 wins.
Good Squeeze Shapes (Squeeze into the shape of . . .)
California
A dog
A pair of sunglasses
A baseball bat
A shark
A map of the U.S.A.
Jonathan (your youth group leader)
Blind Kickball
This is one of those "trust" games that you can finish up with a short Bible
study on faith.
The game is simple and would work with any group of 18+. The rules are the same
as kickball (3 outs/inning, foul balls, force outs, etc.). The twist is that the
students play with a partner and one is blindfolded.
At bat, the seeing player kicks the ball, but the blind player runs the bases.
The seeing player can run alongside and coach, but may not touch the runner. In
the field, the seeing player can catch or stop the ball, but not throw or tag a
runner. They CAN, however, touch their partner to lead them to the ball or
runner.
Players alternate being blindfolded each inning. This game is HILARIOUS to
watch! (We had an audience at the public park where we were playing.)
Added by David A. Steen
Blindfold Marco Polo Dogdeball
Blindfold half of your staff and give them a dodgeball. Have them stand in the
middle of the play area. Assign a second staff member to each blindfolded staff
to be a ball fetcher. The blindfolded staff call out "Marco" in which every kid
has to respond "Polo!" The blindfolded staff try to throw the ball at the kids.
If they hit one the assistant staff remove them to a designated area and then
fetch the ball. Last kid remaining is the winner.
Rules:
If a kid doesn't respond "Polo" he or she is automatically out.
If a kid ever even touches or is hit by a ball he or she is out.
Blindfold Obstacle Course
Create an obstacle course (a playground works GREAT) and get your students or
leaders to go in pairs. They will lead another person through the obstacle
course by using only their voice.
The Point: Team building; a good game for a leadership event.
Added by Scott Street
British Bulldog
This is a good game to release a lot of energy. Divide into two teams and have
them each get to one side of the room, divided by a line down the middle. The
object of this game is for teams to try to convert members of the opposite team
to their own team. How? Easy. A team member runs to the opposite team's side and
tries to lift an opposite team member into the air. While lifting the opposite
team member you must yell "British Bulldog." If done successfully you both have
free walk back to the lifter's original side, who just gained a new team member.
While on the opposite teams side, you, of course can be lifted as well and
converted to that team(if not on a free walk back). Winning team is the one that
gets everyone.
Bug Collecting
Buy a bag or more of those little plastic insects and scatter them around the
room, have all the young people bring a flash light, (or team up with those who
have one), turn out the lights. And have them try to find the bugs. This game
could be called "Animal Safari" if you used little plastic wild animals.
Submitted by Youth for Christ
By The Seat of Your Pants Volleyball
This can be an excellent indoor game for large groups in a large room,
especially during rainy weather. Divide the group into two teams. Set up a
volleyball net (or a rope across the room if you don’t have a net) so the top of
the net is approximately 5 feet above the floor (shorter than the norm). Each
player is instructed to sit down on his team’s side of the net so that his or
her legs are crossed in front of them. Because of limited mobility of each
player a larger number of participants is suggested (20-25 per team). Use a
beach ball, serve from the center of the group and don’t worry how many hits per
side. Other than that . . . normal volleyball!
Can Can
Imagine everyone in a circle holding hands, pulling and tugging, but not letting
go . . . trying to get someone else to bump into the can can. The result looks
like an ameba trying to force one part of it's body to go somewhere it doesn't
want to go!
Here's how it's done. You don't want your circle to start bigger than about 25
people, so if you have a large group, have several circles going at once. All
you need is a trash can. The taller they are, the better. Also, plastic ones are
better than metal ones, and it's always better to find a trash can that hasn't
had anything put in it ( a clean one).
The participants get into a circle around the trash can and hold hands. If a
player touches the trash can in any way, they are out. Also, if players break
their grip on one another, they are both out. Play pauses after an elimination,
giving a much-needed time for players to re-firm their hand-holds.
This game is seriously tiring, and is an excellent way to tucker out jr. high
kids who just can't seem to chill out. Play until one person remains. If an
elimination seems slow in coming, adding another trash can to the mix speeds up
the game.
Added by James Conley
Candy Hunt
This game works very well as a crowd breaker for large crowds. Gather a few
distinctly different types of candy and tape them under the chairs of your
audience before the meeting. Keep in mind when deciding how many types of candy
you use that you will want the teams to be as evenly numbered as possible. Have
your MC explain the activity as follows:
1. Groups must look underneath their seat, grab the candy bar (or individually
wrapped small candy), and then find the other people in the room with that candy
bar.
2. Once all team members have found their respective group, they must eat their
candy and present their wrappers to one person on the team who will bring them
all to the MC.
This gets the crowd up and interacting and provides a boost of energy to your
meeting. It is also a good idea to have some high energy back ground music.
Car Lot
(This game is played like "Sharks and Minnows".)
Choose a 'used car dealer' or two (put a pair of plaid pants on them for fun)
and have them pick 3 different car names (ie: Honda Civic, Chevy Cavalier, and a
82 VW diesel Jetta, my personal favorite.) Each runner picks one of these 3
cars, and becomes that car. The dealer yells out a car. Each car by that name
sprints across the room. When you are tagged, sit. Now you may tag future cars.
The dealer may yell "carlot" so everyone must run at the same time.
Object: Be the last car running, and become the new dealer
submitted by Jon Talley
Cat Tails
You will need some strips of cloth (approx. 2-3 ft of fabric, cloth, plastic,
cord etc...) for everyone who plays. The game is simple. Have everyone tuck the
strips into the back of their pants or shorts so that approx 2 feet of excess
strip is left hanging.(Note this works great with young children as well). The
object of the game is to pull all the other players tail off. The last one
standing with their tail is the winner.
Have everyone run with their hands on their head- except when grabbing a
tail. This prevents people from blocking and makes them look pretty funny.
Idea by Chris Dunn
Catch Me If You Can!
This game needs 2 teams – min. 4 and max. about 7. You need a wide hall or space
and a row of seats down the middle. The chairs must be evenly spread out and
face two sides of the hall alternating direction (the first faces the right, the
next faces left, and so on). The amount of chairs used will be determined by the
amount of players you have. One team will sit on the chairs with one less chair
than number of team members. The other team will be on the side waiting.
The game starts with the team on the side sending someone onto the floor. The
person on the sitting team (who doesn’t have a chair) has to try and catch that
person. However they are not allowed to cross the line of chairs. The person who
is to be caught can go anywhere, so if they cross the line then the person that
was chasing must then tap someone from their team who is facing the side of the
hall the person who is running has fled too. If the person jumps back across the
line of chairs then that person must tap someone facing the other way.
Once the person has been caught then the next person jumps in continues until
all have been caught.
Whichever team lasts the longest is the winner.
Added by Riverats Youth (Australia)
Catch the Dragon's Tail
(Good game for picnics or big gatherings. There is no winner or loser.)
Number of players: 10-30 kids
Playing Site: Large open area
Items needed: A large scarf or handkerchief
Time: 15-45 minutes
Object of the game: The first person in the line tries to catch the last person
in line.
All the players line up and put their hands on the waist of the person in front
of them. The last person in line tucks one end of the scarf in his back pocket,
belt, or waistband. The first person in lines tries to grab the scarf. When the
"head" gets the "tail", he dons the scarf and becomes the new tail. The person
second in line becomes the head.
Variation: Form two or more teams, each being a "dragon" trying to catch the
others tail.
Chariot Race
Divide youth into groups of three. Each group gets a large blanket. Each team
lines up at the starting line. Two of the youth on each team are holding onto
front corners of the blanket. One youth is sitting on the other end of the
blanket, soon to be hanging on for dear life. At the signal, the teams race
around a designated course (a large oval works well), the two youth in front
acting as horses and the blanket acting as a chariot.
The race consists of three laps. At the end of each lap, the youth rotate, so
one of the people riding now pulls, and one of the pullers now rides. Three laps
allows each person to ride once and pull twice. If a rider is thrown from his
chariot, the team must stop until the rider is firmly reseated. Can be played
inside on carpet and outside on the grass.
Added by Joshua Ellis
Chariot Race - Australian Style
Divide your group into teams of 3. Arrange your playing area with a chair or
marker at either end of your room or field. Teams must link arms, side by side.
The object of the game is to race around the markers in a circle - all teams in
the one direction. If a team is passed by a team behind them then they are
out. If any member of the teams’ arms becomes unlinked, that team is out. The
team or teams (depending on time) still in at the end of your allotted time are
the winners!
Added by Amanda from Australia
Chinese Fire Drill Basketball
If your church is blessed with a gym and more than two baskets, this is a good
game. Divide the group into a number of teams that is one more than the number
of baskets you have. The extra team gets a basketball. Each of the other teams
is assigned a basket to defend. When the game starts, following basic basketball
rules, the team with the ball attacks one of the defended baskets. If the
attacking team scores a basket they take the ball with them and attack the next
basket located counterclockwise in the gym. If the defending team gains
possession of the ball before the attacking team scores, the defending team
becomes the attacking team and moves to the next defended basket. The team that
just lost the ball stays at that basket and defends it from the next attack.
Repeat this pattern until time expires. For extra mayhem, pick teams so there
are initially two extra teams so that there are always two baskets being
attacked. Be sure your good basketball players are spread among the teams.
Added by Gary Slater
Civil War
This is a water game that demands a small field. Divide into even teams of any
size and line each team up side by side, arm length apart, about 25 yards from
one another on their own Territory Line. You know, like opposing armies in the
Civil War.
Arm each soldier with TWO water balloons each. Pick one team to "go" first. What
this means is one team readies to "fire" while the other team has their backs
turned. (This helps keep from sustaining a facial injury). The team leader then
yells "Fire!" If anyone on his team wants to fire (optional) they can throw one
or both of their water balloons at the opposing army. Anyone who is hit has to
sit down where they get hit. No one has to throw anything. Then the tables are
turned. The other team gets a chance to shoot. The first team has to turn around
and the whole process is repeated. This mimics the war patterns of the Civil
War, "if you shoot at me and I don't die, I'll shoot back at you."
Then the Field leader (youth pastor) yells "Charge!" Both teams run at each
other and try to "kill" the other players with their water balloons while trying
to make it across the enemy's Territory Line. The object of the game is NOT to
kill everyone on the other team by hitting them with a water balloon, but to get
at least one team member across the enemy's territory line. First team that has
someone to cross the enemy's Line wins.
Have judges help with who wins and to determine close calls. If anyone argues
with a judge, he/she is subject to water ballooning. Each time a winner is
declared, a battle has been waged. 5 battles wins the war.
Added by Dave
Communist Church
This game is PERFECT for that All Night Activity. It also is a great set up for
a discussion starter.
Set Up: Explain to the kids about communism and persecution in restricted
nations, how Christians are not allowed to gather publicly. If they are found
gathering, they are put in prison.
Game Prep: In the building that you are going to use, shut all the doors to
rooms. Lock rooms that youth are not allowed in, and unlock rooms that they are
allowed.
The Game: Turn on and hide a flashlight (which represents the church) in a room
in your building - making sure the light is hidden so it can't be seen without
REALLY looking for it. Your Youth's job is to find the flashlight. Once they do
they are not to touch the flashlight, but they are to hide in that room, so no
one knows they are there. Once a group of about 10 find the church the game is
over (depending on the size of your group).
The Catch: Have your leaders be the communists. Their job is to catch the kids
and take them outside the building. The communists are only allowed in the
hallways, they cannot go inside of rooms. If they tag or grab a youth, the youth
must surrender and be escorted out. Once the youth are outside their job is to
find a way back in. Which you have made difficult since you or another leader
are constantly locking and unlocking doors, leaving one door unlocked at all
times. Best played at night, with lights off.
added by Jason Goss
Elbow Tag
Divide everyone into partners and have them stand together arm-in-arm (elbows
locked together) in your play area. Divide one set of partners and make one
player "it" and the other player the snipe (the victim, the damsel, whatever!)
The snipe runs when you say go while "it" tries to tag him or her. The snipe can
lock arms with anyone, and that person's partner must disconnect and is now the
snipe. They in turn can lock arms with another player sending yet another snipe
out. When the snipe is finally caught, "it" and the snipe become partners and
the last set of partners touched become "it" and the snipe.
Estrogen Hoop
This is a great time filler involving everyone. It's simple. All that you need
is a basketball court and a ball. Have everyone (up to about 50 people) on the
basketball court at once. Play normal basketball but with the following rules
added:
1. Only girls can shoot or score
2. No limit to how many people on the court
Extinction/Survival
Overview - Using a natural disaster theme, kids try to "survive" game without
getting caught 3 times, while trying to get to different stations to receive
special "stamps". Each station represents a safe zone from the disasters and
cannot be penetrated by the "extinction" elements.
Boundaries - An entire campground setting is best used in this game, as the more
space used the better for the overall atmosphere to the game. 5 Stations are
set-up in spread out locations around the entire campground and signs are placed
in the area to identify what the station is (i.e. Bomb shelter, famine relief,
hospital, etc...).
Game Starts - Game begins when the "variables" are sent out into the field to
await the survivors. Each person is given a card with 5 stations on it. Each
player must find and go to each of the 5 stations and get the station attendant
to stamp the player card. Once at the station, the survivors are safe from the
variables, but can only remain at the station for 2 minutes max. The object is
to safely reach the stations without getting caught by a variable person 3
times.
Variables - A variable is a group of pre-selected campers or counselors who
represent life-threatening disasters (i.e. tornadoes, fire, pollution, nuclear
war, etc...), by wearing a hat which has the disaster taped to it. Each
"variable/disaster" is given a marker and if they catch a "survivor", put an X
on the back of their card. Once a "survivor" gets 3 X's on their card, they are
out of the game. Variables are untouchable; until a survivor has reached all 5
station and show the scorekeeper their completed, stamped card. Now they can
catch the variable and eliminate them from the game by tagging them out.
Notes - It's a good idea to incorporate food and drinks into the game, as it
will increase the "rewards" value. You can also try to hide the stations a
little, without making it too hard to find.
Game Ends - If you get caught 3 times by a variable/disaster, then you are out
of the game. If someone catches a variable after they have completed all 5
stations, then the variable is out (when a player completes all 5 stations, they
will be given a special mark or hat to identify them).
Supplies
10-12 hats
signs for each hat (disasters, natural/man-made)
pre-made card for each player with 5 stations on it
special marker for variables
stamps for stations
station signs
food items and drink (juice boxes, joe louis, timbits)
other station items
wide open field or campground
Added by Shawn McKnight, Mississauga
Fat Bat
This is a fun version of Wiffle Ball. Home plate can be anything, but first base
(the only base) is a kid's pool filled with water. The player steps up to bat
and after they get a hit, they run and jump in the pool. The defense can throw
the wiffle ball at the runner to get them out, but after they jump in the pool,
they're safe. The next player bats and does the same thing, only the player that
is already in the pool doesn't have to run, but once they leave the pool to try
and make it back home, they cannot return to base (the pool.) This gets fun when
there is several people in the pool at the same time! We use the fat wiffle ball
bat and a ball that doesn't hurt when "pegged." Added by Charlton Cupp
Flashlight Dodgeball
This game will work best with a large gym. You need a few soft (nerf) balls and
as many flashlights as you have people, if possible.
With all the lights turned out, give everyone a flashlight. The flashlights must
stay on at all times. The person that is "it" gets the balls, BUT NO FLASHLIGHT!
"It" has to stay in the center circle and throws the balls at everyone else
moving around. Have staff people patrolling the area fetching balls and bringing
them back to "It".
The object of the game is simple; do not get hit with the ball. If someone gets
hit with the ball, touches the ball or kicks the ball when they are not "it",
they become tagged and have to sit down. Students can use their flashlight to
spot the person that is "it" or point out someone else that is hiding- but
lights ALWAYS have to stay on. The last one standing is the winner.
Added by Ken Ferguson
Gargoyles
Kind of like a Mission Impossible/Freeze tag, only more fun,this game is great
for lock-ins or all-nighters because it must be pitch dark and played in a
facility with a lot of rooms.
You should have more than 10 or 12 people to play (the more the better). You
need a standard flashlight with 4 parts to it: 2 batteries, the handle, and the
light head.
Turn off all the lights in the church or facility except one room - the one that
you explain the game in.
Assign 2 people to be the Gargoyles. If you have 10 or less, assign 1. As you
are explaining the rules and objectives, have a staff member hide the parts of
the flashlight in obvious places that you would see in the light but not too
easy in dark. Tell that staff member to make sure all doors of rooms that kids
may hide or go in are open.
Turn all students, except the Gargoyles, loose to find the pieces to the
flashlight. 3 minutes after you let the students go, let the Gargoyles loose.
When a Gargoyle touches someone, they are frozen and must remain in the same
spot they were tagged in. The only way a student can be unfrozen is if a person
with a piece of the flashlight touches them.
The objective for the Gargoyles is to freeze everyone. The objective for the
others is to find the flashlight pieces, put it together, and shine it on the
Gargoyles.
If the person with the "completed" flashlight gets tagged before he or she
shines it on the Gargoyles then the Gargoyles win. If the Gargoyles are spotted
by the flashlight then the others win.
If a person with a part gets tagged, he or she can't hand it off to another
passerby- they have to wait until they are unfrozen. If someone with a part is
getting chased and feels that they will be tagged they may roll the part to the
side and tell other people by yelling, "There is a piece next to me, someone
come get it!" Gargoyles may not touch the pieces. Frozen people may yell to
everyone else about where the Gargoyles are or to come and unfreeze them.
To avoid cheating, assign 2 staff members or 2 trusty students to be "watchmen".
They can take away watches with lights, laser lights, or any other source of
light. They may warn people the first time, then eliminate people for running
away after they are frozen.
Added by Shorty FCC Langley, Oklahoma
Golf Phwack
This is a great activity to kill time at the beginning of an event- it can be
done indoor our outdoors . . . although it works best with a good amount of
space. The same as driving a regular golf ball, the only difference is. . . you
use marshmallows. See who can hit them the furthest distance.
Added by Rick Hilton
Hideout
The entire facility, with the exception of the sanctuary, is left dark. Slips
of paper are folded in half - 1 for every person playing. A few of the slips
have an X on the inside (about 1 for every 5 people playing). As students leave
the sanctuary, 1 at a time, they draw a slip of paper and reveal it to the
leader so he/she knows who is playing what. Players with an X are the Mafia. As
the players leave the sanctuary with a few seconds between each – the Mafia
players head to the classroom closest to the sanctuary that's designated as "the
Hideout" (by waiting a few seconds between each student leaving, the Mafia
players have ample time to run straight in to this darkened classroom to
preserve their identity). The sanctuary becomes "the Dungeon". All the
remaining players each hide somewhere in the facility, but are not required to
stay there. (Exit signs provide Adequate lighting to prevent injuries and other
adults who are playing can keep an eye out for any behavior that could get
someone hurt.)
Once everyone has left to hide, the leader goes to the Hideout to let the Mafia
know they are free to go hunt everybody else down. The clock then starts and
the Mafia is given 15 minutes to locate and tag the other players. When a
player is tagged, they have a choice to make ("an offer they can't refuse") -
they can become one of the Mafia or they can go to the Dungeon. No one can
really trust anybody (except the Mafia) because when a player is tagged, if they
join up with the Mafia, they can give you away. Nobody has to sit out until the
game ends (unless they go to the Dungeon) and nobody minds being the
Mafia. After 15 minutes, the game is called and everyone returns to the
sanctuary to see who lasted throughout the game without being caught.
Added by Lori Webb
Human Bowling
(See also: Turkey Bowling)
Go to local bowling alleys and ask for 12 old pins, they should be able to give
you some as they get beat up fairly often. Get a "creeper" (sled on wheels used
to slide under a car to due maintenance), or some other sled on wheels, and a
motorcycle helmet. Put girls on the sled with the helmet on and have them put
their hands behind their back and let a guy (or vice versa the guy and girl
thing) "bowl" them down into the set of 10 pins (they must be spread out well,
you will need to practice to see how far). Usually bowl 3 competitors and let
them do a frame a piece.
You will need 2 folks to set the pins up again quickly and one to catch them so
they don’t go through the pins and head first into the wall. Most good sleds can
really move up to 20-30 feet or so, so have a good runway. There are great sound
effect CD’s with bowling sounds for the background. Also, you have the two extra
pins - paint them gold and make into trophies, give one to keep and put the
names of the winners on the other as your running trophy. For a sell before the
“tournament” (to pump the group up), have a "human cannonball" fly in on the
sled and smack the pins (helmet, chest protector, goggles, shin guards, elbow
pads, etc.).
Added by Young Life
Human Foosball
You play just like table game only with real people linked in rows. Split the
kids into two teams, have a captain decide who goes in which rows and how many
in each row. Each entire team faces one direction and has to stay that way. They
link arms by holding the person's elbows next to them. The whole row has to stay
within their boundaries like in the game, but they can slide back and forth left
and right.
When you play inside you can mark the boundaries with masking tape, or if you
play outside you can used paint if acceptable or tape or flour. If you play in a
building if you need to remove pretty much everything from the room. If you play
outside, it is best if you play between two buildings so that the ball stays in
the game. If you play in a field have lots of folks around to toss the ball back
into play.
Make sure everyone is wearing shoes , it can get a little fierce with the
kicking. Stress safety and not getting out of control. Also, USE A BALL that is
SOFT - we use a stuffed soccer ball, or you could use a nerf ball.
Variation of the game, use more than one ball at a time.
Added by Eric and Cindy Scott
Human Lawn Mower
Divide into two teams. Give each team two buckets. Have students run to the
first bucket pre-FILLED with pancake syrup and grab a pair of scissors from the
bottom (have only enough scissors for about a third or half the team. Then they
run to a designated grassy area where their job is to try and cut as much grass
with their scissors as possible and put it in the other bucket. Teams will have
to work together with some cutting, and some picking up grass.
Stop the game before students without scissors get bored. The team with the
most cut grass in their bucket at the end of the game wins.
As always, emphasise safety instructing students to run with scissors pointed
down.
Added by Kissa Vaughn
Hunters
Designate a “lock-up” area of the room. Take a Polaroid (instant) snapshot of
each student as soon as they walk through the doors. Give them a Nerf sling
shot or Nerf gun (you can use flags- like capture the flag, sock tags- socks
filled with flour, or a balloon tied to the ankle- when popped you’re
out). When you are ready to begin give every student a picture of someone
else. At that point, the picture they have is the person that they need to hunt
and “lock up” (you can have an area to take “tagged people” or you can just have
them sit down where they were tagged). The idea is that every person has
someone to hunt while they also are being hunted.
In addition, if you shoot the person you were assigned to, you get that person’s
picture and keep playing until you shoot everyone or someone shoots and locks
you up.
Added by Matt Warner
Indoor Mini-Wiffle Golf
This game requires lots of prep work. You can bank on at least 2 1/2 hours
between set up and tear down.
For this game you need to make a mini golf course inside your church. There are
a couple of ways to accomplish this. Both require mounds of junk to make
obstacles out of. Get some putters (and have the youth bring theirs for extras);
floor hockey sticks work just as well. Also get duct tape and gather junk from
the dungeon in the church basement where old useless stuff is tossed; any
pack-rat's garage is a huge asset, or be creative and hit your local thrift or
hardware store. One year we borrowed a dryer hose and used it as a means to get
the ball down the stairs. Rolled up carpets, big snow shovels, PVC tubing,
Slurpee dome lids - you name it, you can use it (or duct tape it, then use it).
Be creative and design your own score sheets.
Be sure you use wiffle balls, because who really wants to repair the damage that
a real golf ball will do?
You can get holes to putt into from a golf shop. Or you can design and make the
holes yourself, enlisting your students and leaders to help out.
Break up your church into about 4-5 zones and assign a team to each zone. You
need to have enough kids and leaders for each zone, about 5-6 per zone. Each
team is responsible for making 3-4 holes for their zone using the junk that
you've already pulled out for them to use. Give them a time limit and then
proceed to have them golf their own course! Have prizes ready for highest scores
and best holes, etc.
Added by Kelly Johnson
Jail Break
Two-leader teams against students: The leaders try to catch the students and put
them in 'prison'. In your gym (or main meeting room) the leaders can catch
students by hitting them with something like a nerf ball. Outside the gym,
however, the leaders need to actually tag them.
Here is where it gets tricky: Leaders Can ONLY run in the gym. They are free to
run as fast as they want anywhere they want in the gym, trying to protect a
designated jail in the gym. Outside the leaders are very robot-like. They have
to walk AND they can only turn if they touch a wall or come to the edge of a
designated boundry/perimeter. Leaders have to strategize and maybe use three
leaders to trap one student.
Students go to prison if they are hit with a nerf ball or if they have been
tagged. Students can get free only when another student touches the prison. But
once students are free the leaders can throw balls at them again.
Added by Pastor Tim Ritchey
Land Mines
Materials needed, blindfolds, Water balloons for outside/styrofoam cups for
inside, and students. Set up the mine field by randomly placing the water
balloons (or cups) in a marked section of ground (a concrete slab or basketball
court works well for this. grass also works, but you will need to set
boundaries). Divide students into groups of about 4 or 5. Give each team a
blindfold. Put the blindfolds on one member of each team. The point of the game
is for the team to get across the mine field with the fewest casualties the
fastest.
If a person touches a mine he/she is out (if it bursts water on them, it just
makes it more fun). The team members must be their eyes and tell them which way
to go. The blindfolded people crossing the field must stay within the set
boundaries, and only one person per team may be on the mine field at a time (so
they can't lead them by touch). Team members help each other by shouting
directions. Works best if mines are close together and if teams are close
together. Sponsors may yell out random directions to try to throw them off.
The trick is (don't tell the kids this till after it's over) for the person in
the mine field to pick out a certain voice and listen to that one voice.
Point: Just like we need to listen to God's voice instead of all the voices that
the world throws at us.
Added by Derek
Line Tag
This works great in a gym with lots of lines or an AWANA circle.
Rules:
-no one may step off the line
-when you are tagged, you are dead. sit!
-you may not go around anyone, including the dead, unless you are 'it'
-you may not cut corners; hence, you must step on the intersection of the line
'It' tends to get tired quick, so when this happens, we tell 'it' to choose a
zombie or mummy (the walking dead) to trap people easier. Make sure that the
zombie walks, not runs.
You can also use the same concept for line basketball and line soccer, depending
on your facility.
submitted by Jon Talley
Long Base (A Dodgeball/Kickball Medley)
Great game for a large group. Divide into 2 teams, one in the field and one "at
bat". Two or three students bat at a time by bouncing a dodgeball and hitting it
with with their hand(s)/arm(s). After hitting the ball, the students attempt to
run to the far wall of the gym without being hit. Students in the field may get
a batter out by throwing and hitting them with any of the balls that were hit.
If a student makes it to the far wall, he must keep a hand on it to remain safe.
To score a run, the student must make it back from the far wall to the original
line he batted from(home). Students may remain safe at the far wall as long as
they want, and there is no limit to the number of students that can stay safe.
They can try to run home at any time except when the new batters are holding the
balls.
Added by Dean Butters, Rolling Meadows, IL
Mafia (also called Killers)
This is a great game if you have limited space or you're stuck indoors. It's
also good for smaller youth groups or over_nighters.
The object of the game is to not get killed off.. Unfortunately, it takes a lot
of explaining, but once you get it, it will quickly become a group favorite. You
need at least 8 players to make the game interesting. You need a deck of cards,
or slips of paper with the identities on it. For 10 or more, there should be 2
Mafia, 1 Angel, 1 Cop, and the rest townspeople. For less, have only 1 Mafia.
Try not to play with more than 30, because it turns into a huge shouting match.
Distribute the identities secretly. Everyone should keep their identity a
secret, but if they choose to they can reveal it as part of strategy later.
Here is an outline of how to play each round:
1. Narrator says "Town go to sleep." All players put their heads down and close
their eyes.
2. N: "Mafia wake up" Only the mafia open their eyes and look at narrator.
3. N: "Mafia, who do you want to kill?" Mafia have to point to someone in the
room and agree on that person. Narrator nods to let them know they understand.
4. N: "Mafia go to sleep" Mafia close eyes again.
5. N: "Cop wake up" The cop opens eyes. "Who do you think it is?" Cop points to
someone they suspect is a mafia. Narrator either nods yes or no. Now the cop has
an advantage for later. "Cop go to sleep"
6. N: "Angel wake up" Same deal. "Angel, who do you want to save?" Usually, the
angel points to him/herself, in case they were picked to be killed off. But
sometimes they are gracious and point to someone else to be saved, especially if
they have an idea who has been picked by the Mafia. "Angel go to sleep"
7. N: "Town wake up" At this point, everyone opens their eyes, and the narrator
announces who is dead, or that no_one is dead (if Angel managed to save them.)
Everyone gasps in surprise, and then the accusations fly.
8. Narrator asks for accusations as to who the town thinks the mafia is. It's
usually a good idea to limit it to 2 or 3 per round. To make it more
interesting, I always insist on the accuser making up some creative reason why
they are accusing so_and_so. (like, "I heard them leave their house last night"
or "look how muddy their shoes are!")
9. Narrator then allows each of the accused to defend themselves. This whole
process can get really rowdy, and you need to be careful not to offend the
sensitive kids. Narrator must remain neutral, but can egg on either side with
"facts"
10. After a few minutes, narrator should announce that it's time to vote. By a
show of hands, go through each accused. The one with the most votes gets
"lynched" by the town and is therefore dead.
11. Repeat.
When someone is "dead" they cannot participate in the accusations. They are not
allowed to talk. However, they get to keep their eyes open and find out all the
answers to the mystery. Remind students not to cheat, because the temptation is
great to do so! The game ends when either both Mafia are killed off (town wins)
or are the only ones left (mafia wins).
The advantage of being the cop is that they can say "I'm the cop, I know the
Mafia is so_and_so." However, they should be careful, as sometimes the town
doesn't believe them and the cop ends up getting killed off! Also, you can play
that once the Angel is killed off, that's it, or that he/she can continue to
save people because they don't technically die.
Added by Becky Heffner
Mattress Pass
Easy! Two mattresses in the back- one on each side of the crowd. Get a kid on
top of each one and have the audience pass the mattress (with the kid on it) to
the front.
CAUTION: Have staff all around the crowd to catch the kid on the edges- very
important to avoid any injury!
Opposite Arm Dodge Ball
game is played just like it sounds. Set up any dodge ball game that your kids
like, however, make them throw with their opposite arm. This is a great game and
really funny. It helps keep your jocks from dominating the game and also
encourages the more sensitive kids, who are afraid of getting hit, to play. I
normally play and act really dumb trying to throw with my wrong arm, kids laugh
at me and we have a great time.
Added by Ian Newton
Penguin Football
Give each person a rag about four inches wide and two feet long (sheets torn
into strips work well.) Each person then ties the rag securely around his knees
to make running impossible. Players can move only by shuffling their feet.
Now divide into teams and play football using a Nerf football. The game becomes
hilarious when players must hike, run, throw, and kick with their knees tied
together. Of course, this opens up the possibility of playing Penguin Baseball,
Penguin volleyball, Penguin Soccer, and countless other games.
Pole Pole
(also known as Can-can) Find something to use as a free-standing pole (you can
use a garbage can as well, hence the name "Can-can."). Circle around it holding
hands. The rules are simple. If you touch the pole or the pole touches you in
any way, you are out, and if you break hands with the person next to you, you
both are out. And the last man (or woman) standing wins. My youth love it- it's
their favorite game. Can get a little intense though.
Added by Scott Norris
Protect the President
For this game all you need is a volleyball-sized Nerf ball. All the kids stand
in a wide circle with two people in the middle. one person in the middle is the
President, the other is the Bodyguard. The poeple in the circle have the Nerf
ball, and throw it at the president. The bodyguard may do anything to block the
ball with his body: jump, squat, dive, etc. The ball may NEVER touch the
president. If the ball touches the President at any time, the person who threw
the ball (or the last person to touch it) then becomes the Bodyguard, the
Bodyguard becomes the President, and the President goes back into the circle.
What makes this REALLY exciting is that from the moment the President is hit,
the new Presdent is vulnerable the transition is instantaneous. The new
bodyguard must be fast at getting into the circle to defend him or her. This
sometimes makes Presidential Turnover pretty quick, but it's exciting. This game
is EXHAUSTING, especially if the people in the middle are good. Be ready to
sweat if you play. One strategy for the "shooters" is to pass the ball around
the circle and keep it moving to wear the people in the middle down. They'll
eventually tire and the president will get hit. As the kids get more experience
at the game, they will develop strategies and tactics, and will thoroughly enjoy
themselves.
Added by J. Hart
Radioactive Renegades
This is a “sponsor hunt” type game played at night on a retreat and takes 30
minutes to an hour (most often played outdoors, but can be played in a huge
facility with lots of rooms- and lights dim). The objective is for students to
“save the world” by finding all the “Renegade Rebels”. The catch is that they
must find them all in order.
Step One: Before the game number off all your leaders, give them a colored felt
marker and tell them to hide around the camp (or wherever you are). These
hiding leaders are your “renegade rebels” the kids are trying to find. You can
provide glow sticks or glow products to your students. Send them out in pairs.
Step Two: Gather your group and tell them that Renegade Rebels have stolen a
large amount of plutonium. The students must identify each of the renegade
rebels in order to win the game. When they approach someone they think is a
renegade rebel they need to ask if they are "Renegade Rebel Number One". If
that happens to be the leader’s number, they make a mark with their felt tip on
the student’s arm. Then the student searches for Renegade Rebel Number Two. If
the leader is not the right renegade rebel they simply answer "I don't know what
your talking about," and the student keeps on searching.
Step Three: Students have to search and ask until they have found all the
renegade rebels in order. They will have markings for each rebel on their arm
as evidence.
To make it more fun and challenging you can have your rebels move around,
changing hiding spots throughout the game; or you can add leaders as decoys who
are nor renegade rebels to fool the kids.
Added by Mark Janzen
Rio Linda Kickball
This is a lot like normal kickball with a bunch of backwards twists (hence the
name "Rio Linda," if you've ever been there, you know exactly what I mean!) Here
are the rules:
all the bases are backwards. Run to 3rd first, 2nd second, and 1st third . . .
if you follow me
All players on a team get one time up and they get one pitch from their own
pitcher
Endless # of outs, just keep going until all players have been up once.
No foul balls, everything is fair
no limit to how many people on bases, no force outs
get someone out by touching ANY base at any time. Any runners between any bases
are out
if a ball is caught the runner is out
if a runner is tagged they are out
Rio Linda Wiffle Ball
This is the same as Rio Linda Kickball but with a wiffle ball and bat. One added
rule for this game: runners must carry the bat with them to 3rd (the first)
base. If they drop the bat they are out!
River Crossing
The goal of this game is to help teach your students or leaders to work together
by having them work as a team to cross a "river". First, using your gym or other
space, you need a place to start from (a wall, lines in the gym, etc), the
"river", and then a destination. You can use assorted pieces of wood, blankets,
or anything else they can stand on. Break them up into teams and have them race
to the other side of the river. The rules are: everyone has to get across and no
one can touch the floor or they all have to start over.
The Point: Team building; a good game for a leadership event.
Added by Scott Street
Sardines
This is game is kind of a reverse "hide and go seek". Turn out all the lights.
Have one person go hide. Everyone else is “it” and looks for this person. As
soon as one person finds the person hiding, he or she hides with the person. Now
there are two hiding. As soon as someone else finds them, that person hides with
them. You end up with a bunch of people packed like “sardines” in one hiding
spot with one poor person trying to find everyone.
Added by Adalis and Jonathan McKee
Scalp (or Duct Tape Tag)
Divide into two teams. One team places a 1.5 foot long strip of duct tape
horizontally on their backs. The other team places a 1.5 foot long strip of duct
tape vertically on their back. (You can use different colored tape if you want
and name the teams by the colors. i.e. Yellow vs. Black) Have teams separate in
a large playing area, preferably at night. The object is to "scalp" the other
team by pulling the tape off their backs. Once their tape is removed they are
out of the game.
Added by Jon Henry
Sink the Bismarck
Basically, it's every man for himself dodge-ball. A group of students, 10-30, is
asked to stand in a large open circle and game balls are placed sporadically (if
that's a word) throughout the circle. You can pick the number of balls. I use
about 5 or 6. When the leader says "Go" students run to the nearest ball start
trying to hit anyone around them. If you are holding a ball you can't run and if
you get hit you must sit down.
If you catch a thrown ball, the thrower is out,
if you get hit and the ball hits the ground, you are out and you must sit down,
In order for a person to move with the ball, he must pass it to a trustworthy
person who is sitting on the ground (by rolling it -- remember if caught in the
air you're out). But be careful, they could hit you with the ball or give it to
another standing thrower)
the last person standing wins the prize.
I got this game from my good friend, Will Hagle
Added by Charlie Mooney
Skin the Snake
Have two teams of students (girls vs. guys) stand in a line. A big room or long
hall is best as this takes quite a length of space.
Have each kid reach under her/his legs with her/his right hand and hold the left
hand of the person behind him. The person at the end of the line lies down
consecutively as each one walks backward. Move slowly and be careful not to step
on each others bodies! When everyone has laid down, it's time to stand back up
as they Skin the Snake. A leader may have to help them stand. Coming up is
harder than laying down so go slow! Don't forget to keep holding hands! Whoever
succeeds first wins.
Added by Betty Jean Anderson
Torpedo
This game is a gym-version of the pool game "sharks and minnows." Using a
basketball court or marking your own, you need a large rectangle. Two kids are
chosen as the "launchers" while the rest of the group (anywhere from 15 to 50
kids works fine) lines up outside one of the short sides of the rectangle. The
launchers stand on either of the long sides of the rectangle, armed with
dodgeballs or something similar. A leader or youth is the caller. The caller
shouts "TORPEDO!" and the kids start to run as fast as they can to get past the
line on the other side, where they are safe. While they are running, the
launchers try to hit as many people as possible with their dodgeballs, while
staying behind their own lines. They usually can only get one good throw in,
since they can't cross the line. Any runner who gets hit must sit down exactly
where they are. They are now land mines.
Now it gets interesting. Each time the kids torpedo across the room, there are
more and more land mines to hit them. The youth on the floor can try to touch
the runners. Anyone touched must sit down too. Eventually you get down to two
lonely runners, and then one winner. You can play again and again and again....
it's a blast to watch (and to play).
Added by Becky Heffner
Trashball
Divide into two teams.
This game is basically basketball, with your own player as the basketholder
(that can assist at getting the ball in).
Use a trashcan that is about the same size as your ball. Have each team choose
a trash can holder (rotate regularly, its a fun place to be). Have each one
stand up on a chair (they can't move from the chair or grab a ball- just move
the trash can). Make a boundry of about 10 feet around each holder with
tape. Anyone caught inside the tape must sit there indefinately (at your
discretion).
For large groups, add an extra ball or two
they can only take 3 steps when they have the ball, so more are involved
This is a fun game because, with the help of the can holder, almost anyone can
make a full court shot, so we tell them the ball must touch a certain # of girls
before you can shoot. Enjoy the game!
submitted by Jon Talley
TubeMania
- You can have a TUBEMANIA night and play all the following games!
TUBAL BACON
(steal the bacon with innertubes): - This is a physically exhausting game that
can be lots of fun, but might be best if played against boys and boys and girls
against girls.
Mark a large square in the field and place a stack of seven to ten inner tubes
in the center of the square. Divide the group into four equal teams, each one
lining up on their side of the square. Number the players on each team from one
to however many players are on each team.
The object of the game is to get as many inner tubes as possible across your
team's line. Call out several numbers. The players with those numbers run to the
center and start dragging the inner tubes to their lines. There may be several
players tugging on the same tube. Each tube successfully pulled across a team's
line is a score (one point) for that team.
Once the kids get the hang of it, add a soccer ball to the game. Each team gets
a point deducted from their score if the ball is kicked over their line. Team
members along the team line act as goalies. Once the ball touches the ground in
their territory the point is scored against them.
To further complicate the game, add a cage ball, or earth ball (four to eight
feet in diameter). The team that gets this ball across their own line gets three
additional points.
CRISS, CROSS, CRASH:
Good name for this game. Be very careful- if you don't use good safety
precautions this could result in injuries. Divide your crowd into two teams,
each team in two groups for a relay. Line the teams up in four corners of the
playing field, each team diagonal with it's partner team. Give each group 2 or 3
tubes (depending on size). The first team members must step into the tubes, pick
them up (so they look like a Michelin Man) and run diagonal to their partner
team. Of course their partner team and two apposing teams are running through
the same intersection so look out! First team to switch all players across the
diagonal one at a time is the winner.
JUMP THROUGH:
This is a simple relay where you give each team one tube and they race to see
who can get their entire team through their tube first.
MICHELIN MAN BUMPER TUBE:
This is basically Sumo Wrestling for poor people. Two players battle each other,
each holding a tube like a belt or belly. Draw or rope off a small circle that
they try to bump each other out of.
TUBAL TUG:
Get 5 innertubes (small to medium sized ones work best). One of them serves as
the middle ring. Tie 4 ropes (ropes should be 8 to 10 feet in length) to this
middle tube (you have to have your tubes tied for this game!!!) Tie the other
ends of the ropes to the other 4 tubes - one rope to each tube. Next you will
need 4 cones and 4 tennis balls. Lay out the inner tube contraption, putting the
center ring at the center (duh...) and the other 4 stretched out to the noon, 3,
6 and 9 o'clock positions. Then place the cones with the tennis balls on top
about 10 feet out from the inner tubes. Kids then get in the inner tubes and on
"Go" they attempt to become the 1st person to get the tennis ball off their
respective cones (thus a four way tug-o-war). Since they are essentially pulling
against 3 other people, from different directions, it's not always the
biggest/strongest that wins. Caution: don't do this game on cement/asphalt
because someone always slips or falls down and then gets drug across the ground
by the other players. Enjoy!
Turkey Bowling
(See also: Human Bowling)
This can be great Thanksgiving tradition. Go to local bowling alleys and ask for
12 old pins, they should be able to give you some as they get beat up fairly
often. Also get a 14-16 pound frozen turkey and drill 3 holes in it where they
would be placed in a ball. You will need 2 folks to set the pins up again
quickly and one to catch the turkey so you don't put a hole in a wall. Have 3
contestants bowl a frame. You may want to put down cheap black plastic (at any
hardware store) for an alley. There are chicken dance songs you can play in
background or even a kid who hunts may be able to make turkey calls for your
background. For a trophy, you may be able to make a turkey out of an old bowling
ball (body) and pin (as the head). Use feathers and a red sock as a goblet and
paint the ball with winners names. This sell is obviously the job for any
turkey!
Added by Young Life
Twinkie Launch
Borrow or purchase a clay pigeon thrower. This was not the kind you hold in your
hand, it was the kind that mounts on a base and fires the clay pigeon with a
giant spring and a catapult arm.
Without telling them why, I told all participants of the overnighter to bring
one wrapped Little Debbie or Hostess product. Later in the evening when the kids
needed a snack, I had them all stand in a group at the other end of the gym (our
church meets in a gymnasium) and I fired litte debbies through the air with the
clay pigeon thrower. IT WAS AWESOME!! As I experimented with it, I was able to
fire three or four at once at a distance of 50 feet and a height of about 13
feet. I also fired some bananas which went the entire length of the gym and
splattered on the back wall. (oops!)
A word of warning though. This type of clay pigeon thrower uses EXTREME spring
tension. If a teen were to play around with it they could literally lose a limb
if the catapult arm hit them. I made sure that I covered the thrower up until I
used it and then removed it from the auditorium as soon as I was done so that no
one would mess with it.
Added by Marc Kidwell, Smyrna Church of Christ
Ultimate Frisbee (Frisbee Football)
If you've never played this you've missed out. Divide into two teams, each
trying to get to the opposite end zone. One team kicks (throws actually) off and
the other team receives. When a player catches the frisbee they can take only 3
steps then they must throw it. Team work their way down the field, passing to
each other until a team scores. If the team hits the ground it's the other teams
ball (frisbee actually). If a defensive player knocks the frisbee to the ground
possession switches as well. Defensive players must give any person already
holding a frisbee at least 3 feet clearance.
Wiffle Ball
Do I need to explain this game? You might ask me why I put it on the list even.
I'll tell you. Come in real close so I can whisper it in your ear . . . BECAUSE
IT'S FUN!!! Note: take a peak at Rio Linda Wiffle Ball for an added twist!