80 Games for Your Youth Group
Looking for fun, easy-to-run games for your youth group, school, or camp?
Here’s a list of 80 tried-and-tested favourites — from team challenges to quick energisers. Most need little to no equipment and can be played almost anywhere!
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1. Cone Game
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2–4 teams. Place a cone in the middle of the room. Make teams sit on chairs. Give each player a number. When their number is called, they race to their chair and throw a ball or bean bag at the cone.
2. Hockey
Same as Cone Game, but with hockey sticks placed on team chairs. Try to score through your team’s chair legs.
3. Pick Up Bean Bag
Same setup as Cone Game. A bean bag is in the middle; the player whose number is called tries to take it back to their chair without being tagged.
4. Psychiatrist
Everyone sits in a circle. One person (the psychiatrist) leaves the room. The group decides on a “problem” (e.g., everyone thinks they’re a Disney character). The psychiatrist returns and asks questions to work out the problem.
5. Mafia
Everyone sits in a circle. A narrator tells the players to “go to sleep.” Mafia members secretly pick someone to “kill.” The doctor tries to save someone, and the detective guesses who the mafia are. The group then votes to eliminate suspects.
6. Non-Stop Tag
Everyone is on! If you’re tagged, sit down. If the person who tagged you gets tagged, you’re back in.
7. Death Ball
Two players throw large soft balls at those running from one wall to the other. Get hit, and you’re out (or help throw).
8. Dodgeball
Classic indoor or outdoor game — eliminate players by hitting them below the waist with soft balls.
9. Ninja
Players stand in a circle, strike a pose, and take turns trying to tap others’ hands with quick ninja moves.
10. Extreme Ninja
Same as Ninja, but you’re trying to make others lift a foot off the ground instead of hitting hands.
11. Puna
Start with 2–4 throwers holding foam frisbees. If hit, you join the throwers. Timer runs randomly — whoever holds a frisbee when time’s up is out.
12. Bench Ball
Played like netball. Each team has a player standing on a bench. Teams pass the ball and score by catching it on their bench.
13. Bamboo Catch
Each person holds an upright bamboo stick. Count “3…2…1…switch!” and let go, trying to catch the stick to your left.
14. Football / Tennis Ball / Rugby Ball
Play football but add variety — swap in a rugby ball, tennis ball, or giant inflatable halfway through!
15. Around the World
Ping pong with everyone rotating around the table. Three lives each — miss and you’re out.
16. Snowball Fight
Scrunch newspaper balls and throw them across the room. Fast, silly, and great indoors.
17. Earbud Blow
Players use straws to blow earbuds (cotton swabs) across a table or floor — like a mini snowball fight.
18. I’m an Egg
Players move around saying “I’m an egg.” When two meet, they play rock-paper-scissors. Winner becomes a “chicken,” then a “farmer.”
19. Rock Paper Scissors Hoops
Set up hoops in a line. Each player starts at opposite ends. Meet in a hoop and play rock-paper-scissors. Loser goes back to start; cone moves toward the winner’s side.
20. Battleships
Teams sit on opposite sides of a sheet or barrier. Throw soft balls to “sink” the opposing team’s ships.
21. Balloon Toss
Pairs throw a water balloon back and forth, taking a step back each time.
22. Relay Race
Classic running or obstacle relays — get creative with your course!
23. Eat Chocolate (Hat, Scarf, etc.)
Players take turns rolling a die. Roll a 6 to put on a hat, scarf, and gloves and eat chocolate with a knife and fork!
24. Silent Ball
Toss a ball around without making a sound. Drop it or speak, and you’re out.
25. Coke / Fanta
Players choose a side: Coke or Fanta. When the leader shouts a name, jump to that side — but beware of fakeouts!
26. Elephant Football
Stand in a circle with feet wide apart. Hit a ball through others’ legs using your hands joined like an elephant trunk.
27. Shout the Name Sheet
Teams sit on opposite sides of a held-up sheet. One player from each side steps up. When the sheet drops, first to shout the other’s name wins.
28. Aeroplane Competition
Make paper planes and see whose flies farthest or stays airborne longest.
29. Build a Boat
Teams build small boats from tinfoil or cardboard. Add items until one sinks!
30. Tin Can Alley
Stack cans and knock them down with a ball.
31. Bamboo Relay
Pairs stand side by side with a bamboo stick across one of both their feet. Hop together to the finish line without dropping it.
32. Relay Pictionary
Teams race to draw prompts in turns — one person runs to draw, the rest guess.
33. Relay Charades
Same idea as Pictionary, but players act instead of draw.
34. Relay Still Image
Teams create frozen scenes to represent a theme or story — first to finish wins.
35. Zip Zap
Stand in a circle. Point to someone and say “Zip” (to the right) or “Zap” (to the left). Fast reactions needed!
36. Simon Says
Leader gives commands — only follow if they say “Simon says.”
37. Doggy Doggy Where’s Your Bone
One person hides their eyes while another steals a small object. Guess who took it!
38. Hand Slap
Players face each other with palms up. One tries to slap the other’s hands before they pull away.
39. My Chair, Fruit Basket
Each player gets a fruit name. When their fruit is called, they swap seats. Call “Fruit basket!” and everyone switches!
40. Moo Off
Contest to see who can moo the longest or funniest.
41. Shoe Pick & Mix
Everyone removes one shoe and tosses it into a pile. Mix them up, then race to find and put on your shoe first!
42. Notes and Crosses Relay
Teams draw or run to place “X” or “O” on a large grid. First to get three in a row wins.
43. Cup on Head
Players balance cups on their heads while trying to knock others’ off with soft balls.
44. Cones Up / Down
Half flip cones up, the other half flip them down. Most cones in your team’s direction at the buzzer wins.
45. Catch / Head
Leader throws the ball while shouting “Catch” or “Head.” Players must do the opposite!
46. Poo
Leader throws the ball in the air shouting a name. That player catches it and yells “Freeze!” Then takes three steps (P-O-O) and tries to hit another player.
47. Pig
Players stand in a circle and toss a ball around. Miss a catch, and you get a letter (P-I-G).
48. Collect Bean Bags into Your Hoop
Scatter bean bags and hoops. Teams race to collect as many as possible within the time limit.
49. Giant Jenga
Stack large blocks and remove one at a time without toppling the tower.
50. Ultimate Frisbee
Teams pass a frisbee to score in end zones.
51. Pirate Ship
Leader calls commands (“Scrub the deck,” “Climb the rigging”). Players act them out. Last one wins!
52. French Cricket
Batter guards legs with a bat while fielders try to hit them below the knee with a ball.
53. Rounders
Classic bat-and-ball game played in a circle of bases.
54. Protect the King
Each team guards their “King” (on a chair). Opponents try to hit the King’s chair with a soft ball.
55. Fireball
Stand in a circle and pass the ball. Drop it, and you must run around the circle before the ball reaches your spot.
56. Duck Duck Goose
Players sit in a circle. One walks around tapping heads: “Duck, duck… GOOSE!” The goose chases them around the circle.
57. Chinese Whispers
Whisper a phrase around the circle — see how much it changes by the end!
58. Electricity
Two teams hold hands in lines. Leader squeezes one end, sending a signal down the line. First to grab the cone at the end wins.
59. Untangle
Everyone stands in a circle holding hands randomly. Work together to untangle into a full circle.
60. Shark-Infested Custard
Players run across a room (“the ocean”) without being tagged by the “sharks.”
61. Spoons
Everyone has a spoon except one. Players grab for a spoon when a set condition happens.
62. Extreme Spoons
Same as Spoons, but scatter the spoons around the room for chaos!
63. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John
Each seat is named; players clap and pass names in rhythm. Miss the beat, and you’re out.
64. Octopus Tag
Tagged players stay in place and try to tag others passing by with outstretched arms.
65. Toilet Tag
Tagged players kneel with one arm up like a toilet handle. Others can “flush” them free.
66. Blob Tag
When tagged, players link hands with the tagger to form a growing blob.
67. Four Corners
Label corners 1–4. One player closes eyes and calls a number. Players in that corner are out.
68. Sardines
Reverse hide-and-seek — one hides, others search. When you find them, hide with them!
69. Clump
Leader calls a number; players form groups of that size. Leftovers are out.
70. Balloon Stomp
Players tie a balloon to their ankle and try to pop others’ while protecting their own.
71. Human Bingo
Find people who match traits on your bingo card (“Has a pet snake,” “Can juggle”).
72. Object Relay
Teams move an object using spoons, elbows, or other restrictions.
73. Balloon Keep-Up
Keep balloons in the air — add more over time for chaos!
74. Heads Down, Thumbs Up
Classic classroom game — one player guesses who tapped their thumb.
75. Traffic Light
Leader calls “Green, Yellow, Red.” Players move or freeze accordingly.
76. Balloon Volleyball
Teams hit a balloon over a rope or line. Don’t let it touch the ground!
77. Name & Action
Each player says their name with an action. Group repeats it in order.
78. Hula Hoop Pass
Team holds hands and passes a hula hoop along the chain without letting go.
79. Pass the Water
Teams pass water down a line using cups — no turning around!
80. Head, Shoulders, Cone
Pairs stand opposite each other with a cone between them. When the leader says “cone,” race to grab it before your partner!