GAMES
FOR YOUTH
Ankle Balloon Pop:
Give everyone a balloon and a piece of string or yarn. Have them blow up the balloon
and tie it to their ankle. Then announce that they are to try to stomp out other people's
balloons while keeping their own safe. Last person with a blown up balloon wins.
Baby Food/Hot Potato with a
Twist
You play this game just like hot potato, with everyone sitting in a circle. The twist is
you use jars of baby food. When the music starts, you begin passing the jar of baby food
around the circle. When the music stops, whoever is left holding the jar has to take a
spoonful. We use this game for special occasions, such as Thanksgiving, and use flavors
such as turkey and gravy, sweet potato, green beans, etc. Be prepared for someone to throw
up.
Added by Brian Phillips
Back to Back
This is the game where you start out with two people sitting back to back and they have to
stand straight up without using their hands. Add one person every time they stand up
successfully. Our record is ten!
Added by Greg Cates
Balloon Pop Relay:
This is the age old boring relay where they line up, run to a chair across the room,
blow up a balloon, pop it by sitting on it and run back. First team that finishes wins.
The less people you have on each team, the better- kids will get bored if they stand in
line too long.
Barnyard:
This is a good little game to divide into teams for the day/evening. Have pre-made
cards for more than enough kids. Come up with as many animals as you want teams that
night. If you want four teams, have four animals. If you predict 35 kids that night make
forty cards, four groups of ten. Each group of ten cards will have a particular animal
written on it (so you will have 10 chicken cards, 10 cow cards, 10 donkey cards and 10 pig
cards). Hand out cards randomly to the kids and tell them to not tell anyone their animal.
When you give the signal, have them make the sound of their animal as loud as possible
until they find their entire group. First group to totally find each other wins.
The Big Squeeze:
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)
Bobbing for Worms:
Similar to Bobbing for apples, but you use gummy worms and an infant's swimming pool. Not
a game for the week at heart or have hang ups about germs. Take the infant's swimming pool
and fill with water. Add one bag of gummy worms to the water. They will sink to the
bottom. Have the volunteers take a turn at bobbing for the worms. The person who can get
and keep the most worms in their mouth during their one minute try time wins. You can have
the youth wear goggles to protect eyes. Junior Highers love this game.
Added by Jodie
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.
Build your own Snowman
For each contestant have a bag full of assorted snowman accessories such as a hat, scarf,
mittens, a carrot etc. and a pair of safety goggles, a can of shaving cream and a set of
clothes to go over their clothes for protection. Each team has a designated amount of time
to use the shaving cream to cover their snowman and put all of the accessories on. The
team to make the nicest looking snow man wins.
Added by Tina Ogle
Bubble Gum Sculpture:
Materials: bubble gum and a towel or two
Duration: 5_20 minutes
Cost: ($5.00)
Divide your group into groups of 4 or 5. Ask for two very brave volunteers out of each group. (Don't tell them what they're volunteering for) Give them a plate or flat dish(we used cookie sheets). Give the rest of the groups the bubble gum, and tell them to chew as quickly as possible. Have them chew it only until it is soft, and then give it to the volunteers in their group, and start chewing the next piece. As the group is chewing, the volunteers need to be working on their sculpture. Set a time limit, say 10 minutes, and give them creative ideas of what to make_ such as pizza, turtle, etc., but it has to be something difficult. When the gum chewers are through, have them step back and watch. Have someone judge the sculptures. We gave a prize (a Christian CD) to each of our winning volunteers, since they were so brave!
Note: Instead of regular stick gum_ such as Wrigly's, I would suggest
using larger gum drops_ such as Bazooka. {It's much easier to work with!} Keep it cheap,
because you'll want to buy enough!
Submitted by Rebecca Sapp aka Zgrrl
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
Busted
Divide group into equally numbered teams. You can play this with two or two hundred teams,
it makes no difference. For each team you will need to assign them a color that you can
find balloons to match. Beforehand you will need to blow up an equal number of balloons
for each team, the more the better the game. You will also need to acquire some ping pong
balls. With the ping pong balls you will write letters on that spell out a word. You will
take the balls and put them into some of the balloons (one word for team) as you are
blowing them up. It is a good idea to use a common long word like Baseball or Dinosaur.
You may use the same word for all teams, different words, the words can connect, it is up
to you. Put all of the balloons in the middle and mix them up. Scatter the teams so that
each team is an equal distance away from the balloons. Have the teams line up. The game
kind of works like a relay in that once you say go, the teams will send one player to the
middle to retrieve one of their balloons, when they return, another player from the team
may go, etc. As the team gets balloons, they will pop them to find a ping pong ball (or
perhaps no ping pong ball). The team that correctly spells out the word first wins. In
warm weather, this game would make a great pool game.
Added by Jennifer Hicks
Butt Charades:
Cut up slips of paper with words on them and put them into a bag. Break up into two
teams. Get a volunteer from each team to spell the word he/she took out of the bag by
moving their hips (spelling the words with thier butts!). (Make sure they do not say a
word to give away clues.) If their team does not figure out the word after two spellings,
the other team gets to guess.
Make it interesting by the words you choose, try to keep it clean. We don't want any dirty butts!
Cereal Mania
We had a blast one night with 5 games that all involved cereal. First was the snoot shoot
as you may have seen before. The youth shot Cocoa Puffs out of their noses. The team whose
Puff went the furthest won. Next was the Rice Krispy Marble Dig. We filled a small
swimming pool full of Rice Krispies & marbles and added water (milk is better, use the
powdered kind to save $$$). A representative from each team took off their shoes and socks
and had to dig the marbles out with their toes. It was messy and fun! The third game was
cereal art. Each team was given various kinds of cereal, glue, paper, and scissors. No
adults were allowed to help them. They were only told one rule: BE CREATIVE! You wouldn't
believe the finished projects. After 10_15 minutes, they came back with the incredible
pictures. We used some adults as judges. The the fourth game was hilarious. I am not
really sure what to call it. Two representatives from each team played. A person was at
one end of the room holding an upright bucket on their head. The other person was at the
other end with a bucket a water and boxes of the large shredded wheat (some groceries
stores do not carry them). They dunked the shredded wheat one by one and attempted to
throw them in the buckets on the their team members head. It was so funny! The last game
was Cereal eating relay. Five members from each team lined up. One at a time they raced to
a table where they had to make themselves a bowl of cereal and eat it, then go back at tag
the next team member. We gave them spoons, but they were rarely used. The entire night was
a huge success!
Added by Jason Huddleston
Christian Strip
Have group sit in a circle. Give them a paper grocery sack. (Quantities available at your
local store for about $.03 ea.) Tell them that you're going to play a game called
"Christian Strip." Tell them to put their sack on their head. When everyone has
a sack on their head, tell them to remove ONE thing they DON'T need. Guys and girls will
begin removing rings, watches, shoes, socks, etc. Watch closely though because one or two
always figure out the game and immediately remove their sack. Motion for them to remain
silent however, because the group begins to catch on. There will always be at least one
guy or girl who never catches on and the group will laugh hysterically! STOP the game
however, when the group has exhausted simple things. Keep it in good taste!!!
Added byWoody Crosthwaite
Clothespin bite relay:
This is set up like any relay with multiple teams, each team with 5 clothespins. Have
the first person in line attach the clothespins to their shirt, clothes, or body part, run
around a certain designated point and return to have the clothespins removed by the next
person in line . . . with their teeth!
Christmas Quiz
Here’s a quiz you can give out at Christmas time to kill time.
Name That Christmas Carol!
1. Bleached Yule
2. Castaneous_colored Seed Vesicated in a Conflagration
3. Singular Yearning for the Twin Anterior Incisors
4. Righteous Darkness
5. Arrival Time2400 hrs _ WeatherCloudless
6. Loyal Followers Advance
7. Far Off in a Feeder
8. Array the Corridor
9. Bantam Male Percussionist
10. Monarchial Triad
11. Nocturnal Noiselessness
12. Jehovah Deactivate Blithe Chevaliers
13. Red Man En Route to Borough
14. Frozen Precipitation Commence
15. Proceed and Enlighten on the Pinnacle
16. The Quadruped with the Vermillion Probiscis
17. Query Regarding Identity of Descendant
18. Delight for this Planet
19. Give Attention to the Melodious Celestial Beings
20. The Dozen Festive 24 Hour Intervals
Answers: (Don’t include these on the quiz . . . duh!)
1. White Christmas
2. Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire
3. All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth
4. O Holy Night
5. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
6. O Come, All Ye Faithful
7. Away in a Manger
8. Deck the Hall
9. Little Drummer Boy
10. We Three Kings
11. Silent Night
12. God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen
13. Santa Claus is Coming to Town
14. Let it Snow
15. Go, Tell It on the Mountain
16. Rudolph, the Red_nosed Reindeer
17. What Child is This?
18. Joy to the World
19. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
20. The Twelve Days of Christmas
CPW (cotton projectile wars):
Divide into two teams and give each member a straw and a pile of Q-tips. One team
member from each side sits on their side of the room on a chair with a paper cup on their
head. The object is to knock the opposite team's paper cup off the person's head by
blowing the Q-tips through the straws. No blocking Q-tips by anyone during the battle.
Criss Cross:
Simple game! Divide into 4 teams. Send each team into a corner. The object of the game
is to see which team can get to the opposite (diagonal) corner the fastest using the
designated method that the leader calls out (eg. if the leader calls out
"hopping," the teams must hop to the opposite corner). This will create quite a
"bottleneck" or "traffic jam" in the middle each time. Keep score of
which team wins each crossing. First team to 5 wins.
Good
Crossing Methods:
Hopping
Wheel barrel (one person holding a partner's legs while they walk on hands)
Crab Walk
Sprint
Backwards Walk
Skipping
Crawling
I think you get the idea!!!
The Duct Tape Challenge:
Divide into even teams and have each team select a volunteer- preferably a small, light
one. Give each team a roll of duct tape. The object is to tape a team member up on to the
wall, using no more than the provided role of tape. The one who stays up the longest is
the winner. (At one event, a middle school kid was on the wall for 30 minutes!)
Hint: Make sure you use the tape that doesn't leave sticky stuff on the wall or tear off
paint (especially in rented or borrowed facilities!) Provide a soft landing for youth as
they drop off the wall!
Added by Michael Holt
Electric Fence:
For this game you need two poles and a piece of rope or string. The rope is tied
between the two poles, about four feet off the floor. You can divide into teams, or, I
recommend that you do this as a group (great activity to make a group work together as a
team). The object of the games is for the entire team to get over the "electric
fence" (the rope) without getting "electrocuted" (touching the rope). Each
team member goes one at a time, with or without help from his or her team-mates.
What make this game interesting is that even though one player goes over the rope at a time, the other team members can help any way they want. Once a person is over the fence, however, he or she must stay over the fence and not come back around to help anyone. So the last person each time must somehow get over the fence without help from the other side. This game requires lots of teamwork and cooperation.
If you do this with multiple teams, competing with each other, have them each send one member over at a time. You can start with a low rope and make the rope higher and higher each turn. Teams can be eliminated entirely if one person touches the fence, or you can eliminate individual members only as the rope gets higher and higher. Make sure your teams are evenly divided according to height, age, and sex.
The Electric Orange Game
Game Description: Just like Grab It (below), except team members grab an orange instead of
soap or marble in an ice bucket. It requires less resources, is a great last minute game,
and can produce some "orange juice" if your youth group is as violent as mine!
Added by Amy Hackman
Elf Defense:
SUPPLIES NEEDED: two different colored balloons, 25 to 50 of each for two teams of play.
Form two teams of elves. Each team must defend its treasure (a pile of balloons) while
attempting to steal or destroy the other team's treasure. Use one color of balloons for
one team, and another color for the other team. Designate a time period (five to 10
minutes) to play the game. When the time ends, each team's unpopped balloons count 100
points each. Stolen, unpopped balloons count 200 points each.
Encore:
This is a simple game that tests kids ability to think fast. Divide into teams
(usually divide into girls and guys for good competition). Yell out a word that is
commonly found in songs (love, road, river, girl, baby, need . . . ). The teams must sing
a song in unison (together) using that word. The first team to do it wins a point. Play as
long as they like it.
Find Someone Who:
(Works well with large groups.)
Give out the "find someone who list" to students and have them go from student
to student looking for someone who meets the description on their list.
example: Find someone who is wearing blue pants.
The student who fits this description signs their name. Students then go off to find someone else that meets a description on their list. The winner is the one who has their sheet filled out first and most accurately. You should read aloud the list with the person's name who signed it. Have the student who signed the list verify the information.
example:
Find someone who can belch the alphabet. If Joe signed that item, have Joe come up and
demonstrate.
Items needed: Find Someone List (make one up.)
Make enough copies for everyone.
Pencils or pens
Find Someone Who Bingo:
Same game as Find Someone Who (above) but the find someone who's are organized in
Bingo rows on a piece of paper (a Find Someone Who Bingo Card). First one to get 5 across,
down or diagonal wins.
Foot to Ear:
This is kind of like musical chairs . . . but much, much better. It works best with an
even # of guys and girls (you can make other divisions work- but we'll just talk about
guy/girl now). Have the girls stand in a circle. Now have the guys stand outside of the
circle of girls, each guy next to one girl, his partner for the game. Have the inner
circle (girls) walk clockwise when the music begins and the outer circle (guys) walk
counter-clockwise. When the music stops the leader will yell out two body parts (e.g.
"foot to ear"). The girl's part is always first (ladies first) and the guy's is
second. When the music stops and the leader yells the body parts the partners need to run
straight to each other and put those designated body parts together (e.g. the girl would
run to the guy and put her foot on his ear). Great game . . . just think before you yell
body parts (e.g. don't yell "chest to head")
Form a Group:
Easy game that can be used to divide into teams if need be. Simply yell "Form a
group according to . . . (GPA, hair color, cavity #'s, sibling #'s, shirt color,
etc.)"
Fruit Basket Upset:
Have group sit in a circle. Make sure each seat is clearly marked-- use chairs or mark
places with tape. "Number" people off, but instead of saying, "one, two,
three, four, five" say "apple, banana, orange, kiwi, peach" or whatever
fruit you like. The more people you have, the more groups you may want. The last person is
"It" and stands in the center of the circle.
"It" yells out a fruit name. Everyone with that name must exchange seats with someone else with that name. "It" tries to take one of the empty chairs before they are all taken. Whoever is left without a chair is "It".
Rather than yelling a fruit name, "It" may yell "Fruit Basket Upset." Everyone must change seats.
Variation: "It" may yell more than one fruit at a time. This gets more people up and moving.
Getting To Know You:
(You need a wide blanket or canvas to play this game) Divide the kids into two teams. Put
two chairs (one for each team) about 2 meters apart facing each other. Assign two people
who will hold one corner of the blanket such that the blanket is in a vertical position.
This will prevent whoever sits in each chair from seeing the one sitting on the other.
Each team will assign somebody per turn to sit on each chair. At the count of three the 2
people holding the blanket will release it causing it to fall down and reveal who is
sitting on the chairs. The two people sitting on the chairs will immediately say the name
of the one opposite them. The first between the two who names the person opposite him/her
scores a point.
Submitted by Youth for Christ
Golf Ball and Nylon Relay:
This game can be a relay, but I, personally, think relays just take too much stinkin'
time and leave kids just standing there bored . . . so I usually do this as an up-front
game for everyone to watch a couple people do.
Tape two lines on the floor about fifteen feet apart. Have ready two pair of pantyhose and four golf balls. Put one golf ball in the leg of the pantyhose and one golf ball on the ground. After wrapping the other leg of the pantyhose around your waist, the leg with the golf ball should be hanging down in front of you just barely touching the ground. With movement from your body alone, you are to hit the golf ball on the ground with the one hanging from your waist. The object is to move the golf ball from one line to the next. Pass the pantyhose to the next person and they must go back. This is repeated until 5-10 people on each team have completed the task.
Items needed: 4 golf balls, tape, 2 pairs of pantyhose
Grocery Bag Yoga
You take a regular paper grocery bag and set it in the middle of the floor with the kids
all around it in a circle. The object is for each youth to try and pick it up by their
teeth while standing on one leg and NOT touching the floor (if you touch the floor or
fall, you're out!). Once they do it, they tear off the piece that was in their
mouth....then the next youth goes. Now, after so many go, the bad gets shorter and
shorter. Eventually, they realize that they can tear a big piece or small piece! The bag
ends up getting so short, kids loose their balance and fall. I did this game with my group
and was SHOCKED at how difficult it was.
Added by Rachel Harris, NC
Guess the leader:
Everyone gets in a big circle. Pick a volunteer to leave the room after you explain
the game. Once that volunteer is out of hearing range, pick a volunteer in the room that
wants to be leader. Everyone must slyly watch this person and imitate what they do when
the other volunteer comes back into the room (cross legs, cross arms, yawn, stick out
their tongue, etc. ). The person who was out of the room will come back in, stand in the
middle of the circle and try to see who is the leader (the one everyone is watching). The
leader can get bold and make faces, throw there hands in the air, etc. when the person's
back is turned and before the person in the middle has a chance to see who started it,
everyone is doing it. Give the person in the middle three guesses of who the leader is.
Then find a new volunteer and a new leader. You can have the leader be the next volunteer
if he is guessed or any way you see fit.
Guess the task:
Everyone gets in a big circle. Pick a volunteer to leave the room after you explain
the game. Once that volunteer is out of hearing range, choose a simple task that the
volunteer is to do when he or she enters the room (walk in and tie a certain kids shoe
that is untied, take off their own coat, say the pledge of allegiance, etc.) The volunteer
must come in the room and try to start doing certain tasks (unaware of the task to be
done). The kids in the room help direct this ignorant person by clapping when this person
gets even close to doing the task. Louder and faster clapping means the person is getting
hotter (closer to completing or discovering what the task is) and silence means
"you're way off- keep trying stuff"
Grab Bag Scarf:
Again, this can be a relay, but I hate relays. So I play it as an up front game
involving 6-8 people. Great game for a guys against gals night.
Obtain 2 bags of miscellaneous food items. They must have the same amount of items in each bag. Some items could be: package of unsweetened Kool Aid, a candy bar, soda, a can of sardines, a dill pickle, an onion slice, a clove of garlic, etc. Each bag should have 12-15 items in it. The object of the game is that the first team to eat the entire contents of the bag wins!
Note: Kids might need to vomit after a game like this so give them the bag.
Items needed: 2 bags, lots of food items.
Grab It:
Divide into two teams. Put them into two lines parallel and next to one another (about
3 feet apart) sitting down and holding hands. At the back of the line put a bucket of
water with a bar of soap in it (if this is , on carpet, put a layer of towels down- the
water tends to splash, then drip . . . let's face it . . . this is a messy game!) between
the two lines. Stand at the head of the lines with a quarter in your hand. Instruct them
that you are going to flip the quarter so only the first person in line can see the
results. They are not to yell out how the quarter landed or even look back at their team.
If the quarter lands on heads the persons in front are to squeeze their hands. The rest of
the line is to squeeze their hands if their other hand is squeezed so that they can
communicate to the last person in the line that the quarter is indeed heads not tails. If
the last person in line has their hand squeezed than they are to try to grab the soap out
of the bucket before the last person on the other team does. The person successful in
retrieving the soap gets to go to the front of the line. The problem arrives however when
the message is wrongly communicated to the person in back and they grab the soap only to
find out that the quarter was actually tails. At that point the person in front must go to
the back of the line. The first team to get their entire team forward in line (back person
to front- not front to back), wins.
Hannah's Game:
Each player writes a name on a slip of paper and then passes it to the judge. After
the judge receives all the slips, he mixes them up and writes the names on the board. The
judge picks a person to start.
The person (Frank) chooses someone in the game and guesses what their name might be. "Bob", I think you're Cinderella." If Frank is correct, Bob in now on Frank's team. Later, if Frank's name is guessed, both Frank and Bob join the other's team.
Frank continues to guess people's names until he guesses wrong. The last person he asks now gets to guess. Play continues until all but two players have been guessed. The winner is the player with the most people on his team.
Hi my name is:
Plant several people in your crowd who have a one dollar bill, a certificate to
something, or any prize of your liking. Tell everyone that they need to go and introduce
themselves to and learn the names of as many people as they can meet. Have your
"planted people" give the prize to the 15th person that introduces themselves to
them. Once the prizes have been given announce who received them and who had the prizes. A
great get to know ya' game!
Ice Grab It:
Played like the game "Grab It!" (See above) But instead of a pail of water and
soap, use a huge bucket of ice with a marble in it. Just like grab it if the quarter is
heads up they go for the marble. Trying to grab it and get it out of their bucket before
the other team does and goes to the front. Not as messy as the original but less soap in
eyes and everywhere. Plus they get really cold hands!
Added by Jodie
Identity Circle (Fruit Basket Upset):
This game is just like the Fruit Basket upset- but this is when you forgot the fruit.
You just have the person in the middle yell out certain characteristics that they have
(hair color, color of clothes, gender, etc.) instead of a fruit, and people with those
characteristics must get up and move. Have the person in the middle yell out "I
am" or "I have" then the characteristic (I am blonde, I have a blue shirt
on, I play on the soccer team, etc.)
I Have Never
This game is much like Identity Circle, or Fruit Basket Upset. Have everyone sit in a
circle except one person. When everyone is seated the person in the middle says something
that they have never done(ie. I have never drank. or I have never worn a dress). All the
people who have never done that have to get up and find an empty seat (from someone else
who just got up). The person stuck without a seat is now in the middle.
This game has no time limit and at our youth group is wanted to be played on a weekly
basis.
Added by Mark Lussier
Jelly Bean Trade:
Everyone for them self. Everyone is handed 10 jelly beans. They are to try to get 10
of one color by trading with other people one at a time. First person to get all ten of a
color they want wins.
Keys:
Everybody sits in a chair but one person. The chairs are scattered all over the room.
The person standing has a set of keys in his hand. With his other hand he grabs someone's
hand. This person gets up and follows the leader who weaves in and out of the chairs in
the room. The person who has gotten out of their chair then grabs someone else's hand who
grabs another persons hand. This keeps going until the leader drops the keys on the floor
then everyone standing runs and sits in a chair. The person left standing is the new
leader. Playing music really adds to the fun of this game!
King Elephant
This game is in addition to the rules of Silent Animal Game. We call it King Elephant
because the object is to go around the circle until we get to be King Elephant. The game
is the same that you have animal symbols and as you move a chair you become a new animal.
We try to put animals in order of the food chain, ie. after elephant, we have lion, tiger,
bear, crocodile etc. down to snake, bird and worm. Worm is just a single finger bent and
wiggling. We also include a clapping beat to go with the game that King Elephant controls
and can increase in speed. We clap twice palms down on our knees and I clap with hands
together. On the last clap is when the participant does their symbol. For example: knee
clap, knee clap, hand symbol (ie. worm wiggles finger), knee clap, knee clap, another
symbol ( ie. two hands come out like claws for bear) then the bear person does the same
not missing a beat, knee clap, knee clap, bear symbol, knee clap, knee clap, next symbol.
Same as the other game, if the participant makes a mistake, they become the worm and
everyone moves up. Object is to try to be king by knocking out anyone in front of you.
Some examples of animals that we use:
Bird - two hands together with thumbs
locked, flying like a bird
Chicken - hands under armpits and arms flapping
Crocodile - arms extended with one hand facing down, other up, clapping together
Bear - two hands out like claws
Tiger - hands with fingers spread apart placed on cheeks to look like stripes
Lion - hands above head and connected like a circle - just looks big I guess
Raccoon - index finger and thumbs together like a circle and put in front of eyes
Snake - make a snake movement with one out-stretched arm
Giraffe - one hand up above head fully extended with hand bent at wrist
Rooster - palm facing to left or right, brought to forehead
Monkey - pull ears out from head with hands
Beaver - bring to fingers bent to mouth like big teeth
Worm - wiggling one bent finger
Elephant - one arm extended away from nose, other arm wrapped around and grabbing the nose
- hardest one to do, thus challenging to try and stay King
Kiss the wench:
This game is steal the bacon but with a guys team and a girls team lines up parallel,
facing each other. Number them off so each person has a counterpart. Start with a girl in
the middle, "the wench" (no chauvinism implied). When a number is called, 12 for
example, guy number 12 is to try to run out and kiss "the wench". Meanwhile,
girl number 12 is to try to kiss "the dude" before he can kiss "the
wench". The loser stays in the middle and becomes the new wench or dude. Continue
game calling numbers and they continue to be the first to kiss the opposite sex, whether
in the middle or the person called.
The Long John Stuff:
This game requires teams of 6 or 7 be chosen. The number of teams depends on the
number of kids present.
Once the teams are chosen, litter the floor with dozens (or hundreds) of deflated balloons. Then give each team a full pair of long-johns (or union suit). The team then decides who will wear them over their clothes. It works to their advantage to find the most wiry person for this part, (although you'll need to be careful to not make weight an issue).
Once the long-johns are on, the leader of the game does or says something to officially begin the game (a cap pistol, the word "go", etc.) The object is for the team members not in long-johns to begin inflating balloons, and stuffing them into the long john pants and tops. Decide on a time limit that will officially end the inflating and stuffing portion of the game.
Each team is then featured one-by-one as they are given a pin to begin popping each balloon--counting out loud as they do. The balloons are popped through the clothing. Ultimately, the team with the most number of popped balloons is the winner.
Suggestion: Have a camera available for taking shots of the fully stuffed long-johns
Mafia (also called
"Killers"):
This is a great game if you have limited space and you're stuck indoors (which happens a
lot in western pennsylvania _ rain and snow!) 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
Mummy Wrap:
Pick three groups of three people each. Give each a roll or two of toilet paper. Make
sure you give each team the same amount. Two people wrap up (like a mummy) the third
person in the group. The object of the game is to: See who can wrap up their
"mummy" first or who is most creative in their "mummifying". You may
wish to add a few other objects into the game (Q-tips, t.p. rolls, etc.) to aid in the
"artistic expression possibilities". You could have the crowd vote or the staff.
You need 3 or 6 rolls of toilet paper.
Musical Guys:
Musical Chairs with a fun twist. The guys are the chairs and the girls play. Remove a guy (just like a chair) each round until finally two girls fight over one guy!
Musical Wardrobe:
Items needed: 15-20+ articles of clothing
(hats, scarves, blouses, pants, shoes, etc.)
The bigger the group, the more items you will need.
It is a lot more fun if the items are "thrift store" type clothes (goofy, ugly,
lashing, out of style, etc.) Make sure items are in good taste.
The game is played like "Hot Potatoe" (notice the CORRECT, old school, Dan Quail
spelling of the word) in that you turn the music on, and pass the bag(s) of clothes
around. When the music stops, the person left "holding the bag" must pick
something out of the bag to put on. They must put it on as it would normally be worn, no
cheating by setting it in their lap, throwing it over their shoulder, etc. Continue
starting and stopping music until all the items are on people's bodies.
To end you can do a few different things:
Vote on the "Best Dressed"
Most clothes wins
Least amount of clothes wins
Take a picture for laughs later!
A Name Game:
You start with a name (Tom Cruise). The other team must come up with a name starting with
the last letter of the name (Edward Scissorhands). We had it going for a long time until
we ran out of names for Y's and got into arguments over whether or not people really
existed. We did another variation of the same game with songs. Less fights that way.
Newspaper Name Nail:
My favorite. I play it all the time. It's designed as a mixer
"get-to-know-ya" kind of game (usually for no more than about 30-35 people)
Have everyone sit in a circle or something as close as you can get. Then, have each person give their name and make sure each name is clearly said so that all others can hear it. After going through the names once or even twice, have someone start in the middle by asking someone to call the name of someone in the room. The person in the middle proceeds to find the person and try to whop'em with a rolled up newspaper (or pillow) before that person can say both their name and someone else's name in the room. If they get whooped before they can say their name and someone else's name, they are now "it". Also, if the person whose name is called fails to say both their name and another person's name, they will have to be it. The person who is in the middle takes the place of the person they whoop. This helps people learn each others name and mixes kids around with each other.
Items needed: Rolled up newspaper or pillow (pillow is actually preferable.)
Over Under Relay:
This pathetic game actually works sometimes, although don't count your chickens. Line
up your teams (however many you want). The object is to pass an item (a balloon, a ball, a
bucket of water, etc.) over their head then the next person under their legs and so on
until the back of the line. First one to the back (or back up, or the back person runs it
to the front of the line, etc.) wins.
Pass the Brains
Here's a Halloween variation of the 'pass the parcel' game we typically play at kid's
parties in Australia. Scoop out a pumpkin as you would to make a jack _o _lantern. Carve
out a face, but don't make the holes too big otherwise the 'brains' will fall out too
quickly. (Alternatively, you could just draw a face on the pumpkin with a black marker
pen.) Fill the pumpkin with cold, cooked spaghetti hiding wrapped candy in amongst the
'brains'. There should be one candy for each kid playing. Play some spooky music as the
pumpkin head is passed around. When the music stops, the kid holding the head feels
through its 'brains to find some candy.
Play Doh Pictionary:
Just like it sounds! Pictionary, but with Play-doh. Divide into teams. Have a
representative come up front from each group. Whisper a Pictionary word (like
"dog") to the group and they must run back to their group and, without talking,
mold that word with Play-doh. Put a staff member on each team cause kids will cheat (so do
some staff members!)
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
Poor Little Kitten:
Everyone sits in a circle. One person is the "Poor Little Kitten", and stands in
the middle of the circle. He must then go to any person in the circle and kneel down in
front of them and meow the saddest "meow". The person sitting must then say
"Poor Little Kitten" and pet him on the head without laughing. The "Poor
Little Kitten" has three chances to make the person laugh. If the person sitting
laughs he becomes the "Poor Little Kitten".
Added by Mary Vela
Pull Across the Line:
See "British Bulldog" (above). Same object of the game, but you can't cross
the center line and you convert people to your side by reaching over the line and pulling
them to your side.
Variation: Have someone sit down if they are pulled across
Pull Apart:
This is the heinous game where all the guys link up (get in a big pile and hug, grab
each other, whatever necessary to try to stay linked together) and when you say
"go," the girls try to pull them apart. Once a guy is pulled to where he isn't
touching any other guys, he's out and needs to go sit down. Last two guys together are the
winners.
I don't suggest reversing the gender roles on this game. Guys don't need to be grabbing girls. They'll have dreams for weeks! (Face it, guys are twisted!)
Pyramid Races:
Pretty Simple. Divide Group into teams of six. Have them build a pyramid (three people
on bottom, two in the middle, one on top) and walk across a certain point (only needs to
be 10 or 15 feet away), turn around and walk back, all while in the pyramid. First team
done wins!
Q-tip and Food Coloring Wars:
This is a messy game, so do game outside or in area easily cleaned up. Have a staff
person wear a T-shirt, preferably plain white. Draw a target on the shirt that is big
enough to cover the front of the shirt. Divide into 4 teams, each with a different color.
Give each team 5 Q-Tips per person or an equal amount if teams are not even in number. (6
on team one, 7 on team two, 6 on team 3 - give team #2 five more Q-Tips) and give each
person a straw (wide straws work best - McDonald's has them, but it would be wise to ask
instead of just grabbing that amount). You also need a bowl or cup of water (about 1 cup
of water per team ) with enough food coloring added to color water well.
One by one kids dip their Q-Tips in the bowl/cup to color the tip. Then they shoot their five "darts" (Q-Tips) at the target on the staff person's shirt. It does not matter who shoots when as long as each person gets in their five shots.
The object is to hit the most points on the target.
Staff note: Make the target however you want in terms of points. Add up the total points or # or hits. You may just put a big (+) across the front making 4 different quadrants, one for each team and score it by how many times a team can "hit" in their quadrant. 2 points if they hit their own quadrant and 1 point for hitting someone else's quadrant.
Items
needed:
Old white T-shirt (they'll need to be thrown out after this event!)
Enough Q-Tips for each kid to have 5
4 different food coloring colors
4 cups or bowls
4 one cup measures of water
Drop cloth
Tape to tape a firing line on the ground
Q-Tip Shuffle:
Another stupid relay . . . but some of you might actually like those pathetic things!
Several teams divide in half and stand in two lines on the opposite sides of the room for
this relay game. A person in front of the line shoves six Q-tips in different orifices of
his/her body (sticking out of pockets, between knees, protruding from armpits . . . ),
then shuffles across room to the person in front of the other line who grabs Q-tips with
their teeth, and drops them on the floor. That person then sticks the Q-tips on their body
somewhere and does the same, running (shuffling) back to the original line. First team to
finish the relay wins.
Real Identity:
This is a great "get to know ya" and a memory game. Everybody is in a
circle. Everyone takes a turn saying their name and something about them (example,
"Hi, I'm John and I play football"). The next person needs to say the previous
person's name and item of interest before saying their own (example, "He's John, he
plays football and I'm Mary and I torture small animals."). As this game moves on,
people need to remember more and more information. With bigger groups you can have them
only repeat the names to save time.
Ro Sham Bo Train:
Everyone grab a partner. Rock paper scissors- if you lose you go follow behind the
person that beat you and they will do it again with another pair. Keep this up. A large
train will build behind the people that keep winning- eventually someone will have
everyone behind him- he or she wins a prize.
Run the Gauntlet:
Girls are given rolled up newspapers, and they are lined up in two single file lines.
The two lines are parallel, facing each other with approximately three to four feet
between them. The boys tie balloons to their seats (on their pant belt loops) and must
"run the gauntlet", that is , they must run between the tow lines of girls who
try to pop the balloons by hitting them with the newspapers. The object is to see which
boy(s) can avoid having their balloon popped.
Sanctuary Softball
Play this one in the sanctuary during an all nighter! Split group into two teams. Play a
basic game of softball with the following exceptions: The ball must be a VERY light nerf
or fabric ball (must not be able to damage anything). Use a racquet_ball or tennis raquet
instead of a bat. Bases are located at three locations that require youth to weave
themselves through the pews (half way down each side, and at the back door) Ball must
clear the first row of pews to be considered 'in play'. Players in the 'field' must not
climb over pews, they must go under or around. Runners are out whenever the ball touches
them (ball can be thrown at them) Have fun!
Added by Dan Holt
Shuffle your Buns:
This game requires at least a good handful of people and a chair for everyone. Have
everyone sit in a circle. Then select a person to go into the middle. When you say
"go" they are to try to go back to their seat. Everyone slides their tush
(shuffles their buns) over to block the person from sitting in the empty seat. The person
will end up running around the circle trying to get to the rapidly moving empty seat. If
he sits than the person on his or her left is the person who has to go in the middle.
Silent Animal Circle:
This game gets difficult with more than twenty people; it is better for groups of 15
or so. Everyone gets in a circle and is given an animal in which they are assigned a hand
motion that represents that animal.
Hand
Motions (a few examples):
Elephant- hang one arm down with your other arm wrapped around it, holding your nose
(like a trunk)
Mosquito- with your left hand hold up a peace sign with the inside of your hand facing
you, with your right hand poke your index finger pointing forward and place it in the
middle of the peace sign in your left hand; now bring your hands to your face like you
have a mosquito nose.
Cow- put your hand at your stomach with your fingers sticking out like an udder.
Deer- point a finger on each hand upward, placing your hands on top of your head (like
single horns)
Moose- open your hands with fingers spread wide and place hands on your head with thumbs
touching the top of your head (moose antlers)
How To Play:
Lets say that 12 people are playing this game. They are all in a circle. The Elephant, in the 12 o'clock position of the circle is the leader. Then in the 11 o'clock position the mosquito then whatever order you like. The animal is always in the same position- as people move, they assume the animal in that particular seat or place in the circle. The object is to get to be the elephant. As people mess up in this game, they have to move back to the one o'clock position and work their way up again as others mess up.
The elephant starts the game by doing his own signal then another animals signal, such as the cow. The cow must then do his own signal and another animal's signal immediately. A certain rhythm or speed is set by the elephant (by how fast he or she does the signals). Everyone must keep that rhythm- no hesitations. If an individual pauses, forgets to do their signal, or messes up the signal in any way, then he or she must go back to the one o'clock position. Lets say that the cow is always in the 10 o'clock position. If the person that was the cow messes up, then he or she goes to the one o'clock position and is now a snake (for example). The person who was the deer (in the 9 o'clock position) is now the cow and so on down the line. When ever someone messes up, it is only the people below them that are affected and have to move up to a new animal. If the elephant messes up, everyone moves because he is the highest position.
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
Sockball:
kind of like hot potatoes/tag/WWF
NEED: circle of chairs of no less than 15 people 2_4 people standing
in the middle 3_4 long socks with tennis balls in the end. HOW Those sitting in the circle
toss the sockballs to each other (usually very hard throws) and try to keep those in the
middle from catching them.(more fun if you can bounce it off someone in the middle) If
they catch it then the thrower goes in and the runner sits down.(even if it falls to the
ground and is picked up) The people in the middle can also tag any thrower who is holding
the sockball and they have to switch.(this keeps the pace up). This is our favorite game,
good for those nights when high activity level is the best option.
Added by Collin Buckley
Song Endurance:
This game is very simple and can be played with two or more teams. Sometimes this is
fun to do with guys against girls. Pick a song theme (at Christmas choose Christmas songs,
with a younger or more ignorant group you don't even need a theme- any song can be open
game) and let the singing begin.
The object of this game is to keep coming up with songs longer than the other team or teams. One team starts and sings a line of one song. Then the other team has 5 seconds to start singing a line of another song. Then the other team has 5 seconds to sing a line from yet another song . . . Teams may discuss and plan out which song to sing while the other teams are singing.
The first team to repeat a song, sing a song that doesn't fit that category or just not sing within 5 seconds is the loser. If more than two teams play, sit losing teams out until one team finally prevails.
Stand on the bucket:
This is a quick game that can be used in many different ways. Get as many white, 5
gallon buckets as you have teams. Turn the bucket upside-down. The object is to see how
many of their team they can get to stand on the bucket for more than 3 seconds. The team
with the most people off the ground wins.
Sticks and Tires (Toothpicks
and life savers):
This is a simple game with any number of evenly divided teams. Everyone gets a
toothpick and places it in their mouth. Get the teams in some sort of single file line,
row or circle. Start the front or beginning person with a Lifesaver candy on their
toothpick. They must pass the life saver from their toothpick to their neighbors toothpick
without any hands. First team to pass it all the way down is the winner.
Steal the bacon (the fish, the
freshman, backpack style, etc.):
This is an age old game that can be played a billion different ways. How good the game
is depends on how creative you are with methods and objects.
The game is played by forming two teams in parallel lines facing each other. Number them off so each person has a counterpart. Put an object in the middle such as an old tire tube (the bacon) When a number is called, 12 for example, the number 12 from each team is to try to run out and grab the bacon and get it back to their side.
This can be played many ways. Here are a few:
Kiss the wench- (above in the game list)
Hockey style- a ball is in the middle and several hockey sticks. A goal of some sort is on each end of the play area. When numbers
are called (single numbers or multiple numbers) the numbers called are to run out, pick up a hockey stick and try to hit the ball in the appropriate goal.
Water balloon style- one Water balloon is in the middle- the number called runs out and tries to get the Water balloon first and try to hit the other person with it.
Bucket of water- same as Water balloon but with bucket of water
Chalk Sock- Same as the Water balloon style but they have to try to grab the chalk sock (a long sock with a pile of chalk powder in the end- leaves a chalk mark on clothes- and sometimes starts really cool fights!) and hit the other person with it.
Steal the Freshman- Take a wild guess what you put in the middle!
Steal the Fish- Gross, but fun
Backpack Style- With this method you always call two numbers and one must get on the other's back before running to get the object in the middle. You can use an object suspended in the air (hung by string) that they have to grab with their teeth.
Suck and Blow:
You might want to rename this game! This racy title just happens to describe what you do.
Line the kids up, and have them pass an index card down the line as fast as they can using
only their mouths. You need to suck in wind to keep the card on your lips in order to pass
it (by blowing out) to the next person in line. This game is especially great with boys,
because if one person drops the card at just the right point, the two come very close to
locking lips. The first group to pass the card all the way down (and back if you wish)
wins.
Super Sundae:
Divide group into teams of 4 to 6 kids. In a giant bowl, see which team can construct the
most original ice cream concoction using equal amounts of ice cream products supplied by
the staff. Afterwards, award a prize to the team with the coolest sundae. THEN spring it
on them that they have 5 minutes to see which team can eat the most of their sundae
without using their hands or utensils. The team with most ice cream gone wins a prize.
Talk about messy!
Added by Bruce Huffstetler
Taboo on Easel:
This is like the board game Taboo, but on an Easel and a lot easier. Divide into
teams. Teams elect someone to be the stood person. Bring that person on the stool and
write four words behind them on the easel for all to see except the stool person (Example:
bulldog, stapler, Spain, paper airplane) Assign a point value for each word (example: 10
points each). Give the team a certain time (a minute 30 seconds) to try to get the stool
person to guess the words. The team can do the words in any order. If they break any of
the rules or cheat, they not only don't get the points for that particular word, they are
given negative points (Example: negative 10 points). Do several rounds for each team, one
at a time, bringing up new stool people each time. Play until blue in the face.
Rules:
no hand motions
no "sounds like" or rhyming with other words
The Ha Ha Game:
Get every one to lay down on the floor next to each other in a line. The first person in
the line say's "ha" , the second "ha ha," the third "ha ha
ha," and so on. You can never get to the end of the line because every one starts
laughing. You can also line up two lines of people and do it as a race.
added Jayda Campbell
The Story:
Stand or sit in a circle. Go around the room assigning the name of a person, place or
thing to each person. The first person in the group begins to tell a story that they make
up. Within 10 seconds (longer or shorter is okay) that person must mention the person,
place or thing assigned to them. When the timer goes off (you can use a kitchen timer or
just a stop watch) the story is picked up by the next person and they must mention their
assigned person, place or thing within 10 seconds. This continues around the circle until
everyone has had a turn. The stories can get pretty strange but that's the fun of it.
Submitted by Youth for Christ
Toilet paper over under:
See "Over Under Relay" in this game guide. Use toilet paper, unraveling it
as you go. If toilet paper breaks, the person must tie it together before continuing to
unravel.
Trust Circle:
Object of the Game: To hold up the person in the middle and keep him safe from
falling.
One player is chosen to be "it" first. A tight circle of players is formed, alternating physically strong and weak people. The person chosen to be "it" goes into the middle of the circle and crosses his arms across his chest.
The "it" stiffens and falls backwards. The players in the circle work together to catch the person and pass him back and forth around the circle. The player in the middle must keep his feet together and near the middle of the circle for this to work well, and players in the circle generally grab the person who is "it" around the arms and shoulders. Each player is encouraged to have a turn.
Variations:
1. Players in the circle sit down, placing their feet around the ankles of the person in the middle. Sounds crazy, but it works
2. "Courage Camille" is a slight variation of this game in which only 3 players are required. Two of the players face each other and lock hands. The third person stiffens and falls backwards into their arms. This should be done several times, with the person falling farther backwards each time (the players locking their hands should lower them each time). Other players can then try.
3. "Courage Camille" can also be played with only one person catching.
4. The person who is "it" wears a blindfold.
Comments: The players who are "catchers" should be careful as they pass the person around and catch him. In the "Courage Camille" variation, care should be taken that the two players who are acting as "catchers" are strong enough to hold the heaviest person participating.
Trust Lift:
More of a learning exercise than a game!
Object of the Game: To lift a person above everyone's head.
One player is chosen to be "it" first. He lies on his back and stiffens himself while everyone else assembles around him. Together everyone lifts him slowly toward the ceiling as he maintains his reclining position. Once he has reached maximum height, the others hold him there for about 30 seconds before slowly lowering him.
Two Truths and a Lie:
A good game for small group interaction. The object is to reveal unknown things about
yourself to the group in a fun atmosphere.
A person states three things about himself. Two must be true and one a lie. For example: "I was born in South Africa. I have a green card. I have a dog named Bubba."
The others in the group try to guess which statement is the lie. If a player guesses correctly, they earn a point. If no one guesses correctly, the individual earns five points. Each person should get a chance to share.
Who's on my back:
Have everyone secretly write down the name of a person on a small piece of paper. It
has to be a person that everyone in the room would know about (eg. Jesus, George
Washington, Madonna, Leonardo DiCaprio, etc.) Then have them tape the name on the back of
the person on their left. Everyone must now go around and ask people yes or no questions
about who is on their back. They can only ask each person one question. The person who can
do it in the least number of asks wins.
Who is it?:
This is a good game for small group interaction. The object is to get individuals to
share unknown things about themselves in a safe environment. Each player writes down a
little know truth about himself. The paper slips are handed in and read aloud one at a
time. The slips are then read a second time, and players write who they think wrote that
slip. After everyone has guessed on slips, the truth is revealed. Each player gets a point
for every correct guess. If no one guesses a person's slip correctly, that person gets
five points.
Win Lose or Draw:
This game is the same as the old TV version by the same name. It is played like
Pictionary, either guys against girls (battle of the sexes kind of deal), or team against
team. A word is given to one member of each team who tries to draw symbols and pictures to
lead his/her team to say the word that was given to them. You may not use numbers letters
or the "number sign" (#), anything else is okay. You also may not say anything
or do any kind of gestures, to help you team guess the word.
You may point to a team member who is on the right track or very close to saying the
answer, but no other gestures may be used.
You may nod your head to say "yes, that's right" or "no, wrong". Use
Pictionary cards if you have them or make up a list of words yourself (may be use a
certain subject or topic of the club, i.e., Santa Claus, Reindeer, Christmas tree or
pencil, teacher, school, etc.)
Whoever has the most points (words guessed) at the ends wins. If it is a tie, give each
team another word and see who can do their word the fastest.
Yelling Match
Group is divided into two equal teams. Each team sits in a single row facing the opponent
team across a room. Each team picks out a piece of paper with a message on it. The
messages should be common phrases or Bible verses with about 5_10 words in it. Each person
on a team is assigned a word from the message. If there are more team members than words,
same words can be assigned to multiple people. At a given count, the entire team yells out
their assigned word in unison to the opposing team. The opposing team repeats the process.
Each team has one guess at deciphering the message. The yelling is repeated until one team
guesses the correct message.
Added by Donald Jin
Zip Zap Bop:
Played like Newspaper Name Nail with a few changes. Everyone is to learn the names of
the persons to their left and right. Zip means left and Zap means right. The person in the
middle says a persons name and either Zip or Zap. The person called must say the name of
the person to their right or left, depending on what the person in the middle said, Zip or
Zap. The person in the middle tries to bop them on the head with the newspaper before they
can say it. This is a pretty stupid game- but some kids actually like it- try it and if it
doesn't work right away have a back up.
$1000 Bill Exchange:
For this game you need to make your own money on your computer (careful- it might be a
federal offense). Give each person 10 of the bills. They are to try to win as many as
possible from their peers by challenging them one on one doing one of three things:
Thumb wrestling
Rock, paper, scissors
Flipping a coin
Rules:
You must accept any challenge
Sudden death, no two out of three
Challenger has to have a coin and is "heads" on the coin toss
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Copyright © 2001 Shaffer Computer Services. All rights reserved.
Revised: April 01, 2003