Free Youth Group Game: BUCKET!

This game is so simple and incredibly fun! Its a take on the popular card game "Spoons".  Gather plastic buckets together (or use paper cups, then those tend to get crushed) and have youth partner up. Each youth leans over the bucket while a leader calls out different body parts (head, neck, knees, feet, etc). At the leader's discretion, they call out "Bucket!". Once youth hear that, the first one to grab the bucket wins the round. Winners can then take on other winners in a tournament format. 

Very easy game and very fun! 

Free Youth Group Game: How to Play Human Hungry Hungry Hippos

Watch the above video to see Human Hungry Hungry Hippos in action! This is an unforgettable, totally awesome youth group game and activity. I've done it many times and kids always LOVE it. 

Supply List - Here is a list of what you'll need for this Human Hungry Hungry Hippos: (product links included)

• 2-4 Wooden Dollys with casters (depending on the size of your space and how many players you want to have) - link to product
• (optional) Bungee cord (product link) - as you see in the video, you can opt to use people as the "mover" of the human hippo(s), or you can tie cord securely around the handles of each dolly and have players pull their "hippos" back (but with adult supervision and maybe gloves). They also used large squares to keep the balls in play due to the size of their space and it also got more students involved. 
• 2-4 Laundry Baskets - to collect the balls (product link) You can purchase them or borrow some from your students. 
• Plastic Balls (optional: balloons) - product link

HUMAN HUNGRY HUNGRY HIPPO RULES

• You'll need a flat surface, either tile or a gym floor. We tried it on indoor/outdoor carpet. Does NOT work that well.
• At go, teams attempt to collect as many balls/balloons as they can either within 30 seconds (or any time you designate) or when all the balls/balloons are gone. Which ever team collects the most at each round either wins, or moves on to play another team (if you're doing a tournament). Make sure students take turns allowing other students be the "hippo".
• Create safe lines with tape on the floor that teams have have all their balls behind in order for their score to count. Any stray balloons/balls that don't make it behind the line before time is expired do not count. Also, if balloons pop (which they will and its hilarious) those do not count toward their teams point total. 
• OPTIONAL - Have two teams, and each team takes turns (one hippo at a time) collecting as many as they can until all the balls/balloons are gone. Creates more tension, especially if you use balloons. 

Free Youth Group Christmas Party Game Idea: Bobbing for Canes

Free Youth Group Game idea: Crack Attack (chubby bunny but with crackers)

If you've been in youth ministry long enough, you've heard of the classic game "Chubby Bunny". After each round of stuffing marshmallows in the player's mouths, the players attempt to say the words "chubby bunny". It was slobbery, it was funny, and its actually really dangerous.

A safer spin on Chubby Bunny is to use crackers. Have the students place two crackers at a time (without biting them) in their mouths. After each turn, they have to say "Crack Attack". Whomever can keep all the crackers in their mouth (without biting them) and keep saying the phrase wins! Crackers tend to spray when trying to talk so this game is super hilarious.

TIPS

have trashcans and bottles of water handy


You could do a variation where students CAN chew them up as best they can and instead of saying Crack Attack they could say 'Cracker Stack". Using "S" sounds can get a good spray of crackers, which will be hilarious.

FREE YOUTH GROUP GAME: Face-Off

The simplicity of this game is its beauty. Its hilarious and awkward and it builds community. 

Have all players stand in a circle and look down at the ground. At the count of three (1-2-3 FACEOFF!) each player looks up and stares at a random person in the circle. If that same person is looking at you, then both players are out. Play until only one player remains.

NOTE:

• all players must look at someone each time (not the floor, their feet, etc)
• players cannot look at the same person every time

Youth Group Game Idea: Jedi Master

Both of our middle and high school groups played this game this week and they all LOVED it. Its called Jedi Master. 

Here is what you'll need:

• One foam pool noodle
• One blindfold
• At least 25 close pins

Pick a volunteer to be the Jedi Master. Place them in the center of the circle with the blind fold securely on. Cover their clothing and shoes with close pins. Give the Jedi Master their foam pool noodle/lightsaber and tell them to start swinging. Those standing in the circle, on the word GO, have to attempt to grab as many close pins as they can from the Jedi Master without being struck down with fury. If someone is hit with the pool noodle, they must sit down and that player is out. Whomever collects the most close pins wins the round.

A few extra rules (that we learned via trial by error)

• If you are hit and have close pins in your hand, you must drop all your close pins and sit down.
• Don't let the whole group rush the Jedi Master. Allow only a few to attempt to steal close pins at one time. (There will be so much swinging going on not that many will want to go initially, anyway).
• The Jedi Master MUST keep their feet set. They can pivot but can not meander around the circle. They must stand still and swing all around themselves.
• To switch to a new Jedi Master, wait 5-10 minutes and let them play. Once someone is hit, you can make them the new Jedi Master. 
• If anyone is hit ANYWHERE on their person at all, they are OUT. (head shots are fine)

Enjoy!