Youth Group Games for Church

Games can do wonders in a youth group. They can not only effectively break the ice, but can also spearhead bonding amongst the group. Youth groups are often seen to have floating crowds and a few new members are often coming in every Sunday. New comers feel awkward, since they are not acquainted with the members of the youth group. Conducting youth group games will help reduce any awkwardness, enabling the young people to gel wonderfully. If you are looking for youth group games for church camps, then you have come to the right place.

Youth Group Game Ideas for Church Camps

Church camps are often remembered for the wonderful friendships that have blossomed within the short span of time. Youth group icebreaker games act as a facilitator and help young people get to know each other, during a camp.

Olympics

Group Size: This activity is usually organized for large groups, where the numbers are higher than 50. You also need lots of coordinators, who will conduct the games and will keep the scores.

Last May I attended a church camp, wherein the organizers had Olympic games in store for us. Our group thoroughly enjoyed the games and hope your youth group enjoys it as well. Olympics involves a set of activities spread across a football ground (or open space) and the area where the activities are set are termed as plots. Divide the young people into different teams. The activities are placed in a series across the field on the plots, wherein the team has to complete each feat in 3 minutes. Once the buzzer is off, the teams stop and the scoreboard is updated. Then the teams move to the next plot on the field and perform the respected activity. Hope this much is clear! Let us move ahead to the different activities at each plot. (Disclaimer: Some of these games may seem gross, so brace yourselves!).

Plot 1: Popcorn Race
For this game, one needs a bucket full of popped popcorn (this amount is relevant for each team only, so get lots of it) and an empty bucket. Two small paper plates are also needed. Place the two buckets at distance of 50m from each other. One team member is to run to the bucket with the popped popcorn, scoop the popcorn using the paper plate and then by hopping on one foot, he is to reach the empty bucket and drop the popcorn into it. As soon as the popcorn has been dropped into the bucket, the next member of the team has to run with the other paper plate and follow the same procedure. The team members have to try to collect as much popcorn as they can within three minutes. Once the time is up, the coordinator at this plot will measure the (make sure you have measuring cylinders) collected popcorn and note it down on his or her scorecard.

Plot 2: Bite the Apple
This game requires a bucket, some water and an apple. Fill ¾ th of the bucket with water and drop the apple into it. The team members are to line up behind one another and when the time starts the first person is to dip his head into the bucket and try to get the apple out with his mouth. The catch here is: no hands allowed. This game is easy once you get the trick. Allow your head to completely immerse into the water and then try to push the apple to the sides of the bucket. This way your teeth can get a grip of the apple and it won't slip away. When the first member fishes out the apple with his mouth, he goes and stands at the end of the line and the one after him will fish out the apple. This continues till the buzzer goes off. The number of times the apples have been successfully fished are recorded by the coordinator. The gross part about this game is that you are prone to swallow water from the bucket, that has come in contact with every head and mouth belonging to the team. Sorry for grossing you out! I went through it, so I know how gross it is!

Plot 3: Water in Spoon game
Give each team member a spoon and ask them to fill their spoons with water from the provided bucket. Ask them to place the spoons in their mouth and stand one behind the other. Place an empty bucket at a distance of 50m. When the buzzer indicates start of play, one by one the players have to walk with spoons in their mouth towards the empty bucket. After reaching the bucket, he can remove the spoon from the mouth and drop the water into the bucket. Once the water has been dropped, the next member starts walking. The aim is to collect as much water in the bucket as possible. At the end of 3 minutes, the water is measured by the coordinator and recorded on the score card.

Plot 4: Sponge the Man
In this game, the team is provided with a bucket filled with water and 4 sponges. One team member has to stand in a circle, drawn at a distance of 30 m from the rest of the team. The other team members are to take the sponge, soak it in water and aim it at the person standing in the circle. The coordinator will record the number of successful hits, on the score card. Some team members have to stand near the aimed person, to throw back the sponge. This is a fun game, except for the guinea pig, who will be sheathed in mud and water, at the end of the game.

Plot 5: Pass the Water
For this game, we need lots of mugs and water. The number of mugs will depend on the number of team members. Give each team member a mug and ask them to stand in a line. The first person in the line, has a bucket filled with water in front, while the last person has an empty bucket placed behind. The idea is to transfer water, from the bucket filled with water to the empty bucket. However, the catch is that the team members have to hold their mugs on top of their heads. The head and mug should be in contact at all times. The first person fills the mug and then places it on his head facing backwards. The person behind is to bend forward with the mug on his head and the water is to be tipped from one mug into another. The water is tipped from one mug to the other and the water received by the last person, needs to be dropped into the empty bucket. The coordinator measures the water at the end of 3 minutes. This game is a lot of fun, because by the time you are done, the team members have had a nice bath.

Plot 6: Marshmallow Game
For this game, large marshmallows are needed. Give each team member a marshmallow and ask them to stand in a line. The idea is to lick the marshmallow, stick it onto the forehead and scamper off across to the finish line. As soon as the first person reaches the finish line, the next member can run. However, if the marshmallow falls off while running, the team member has to pick it up, run back to the start line, stick it on again and then run. The number of successful marshmallow runs will be recorded by the coordinator.

Plot 7: Feeding Game
Make all the team members stand in a line. Then pair them up with the person behind them. In this game, the first participant is expected to take the apron from the table, put it on, and then sit on the chair kept in front, with his or her hands behind her back. The second participant meanwhile is blindfolded and given a bowl of grapes and a spoon. Guide the second participant to stand exactly behind the first participant. The idea is that the blindfolded second participant should feed the first participant as many grapes as possible. The more the number of grapes fallen on the ground, the lesser the team scores. Once they are done, the next pair from the same team comes and does the same. The total number of grapes fallen are calculated. This grape eating contest should be carried out simultaneously for all teams. The team with the lowest number of dropped grapes wins.

Plot 8: Puzzle Mania
After all the exhilarating activities, here's a game with no running around. Large calendar picture sheets are torn into smaller pieces and mixed together. The teams are given the pieces to assemble and complete the puzzle. This activity has no time limit and the team that completes this task first wins this game.

These were just a few youth group games and activities that can be conducted at 8 plots. Some of the above-mentioned games are suited for camps alone, because of the mess they create. Use your imagination and come up with interesting ideas for your church youth group games session. In this Olympic theme, (say if you have 8 teams and 8 plots), each team starts off at one allotted plot and as the 3 minutes end, they move to perform the task at the next plot in a cyclic manner. Besides these games, the simple treasure hunt, snap hunt, Chinese whispers, Who am I, etc. are great youth group icebreaker games. Have fun!