Top 10 Circle Games for Youth Groups

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Top 10 Circle Games for Youth Groups

Looking for fun, low-prep games that get everyone laughing and involved? These circle games are perfect for youth groups, classrooms, camps, and parties. You don’t need fancy equipment — just some space, a few chairs, and plenty of energy.

1. Psychiatrist

One person leaves the room while the rest of the group agrees on a “problem” — something silly like “everyone thinks they’re famous singers” or “we answer as the person to our left.” The psychiatrist returns and asks questions to diagnose the group’s issue. It’s creative, unpredictable, and hilarious to watch unfold.


2. Mafia

A storytelling classic. Everyone sits in a circle while a narrator assigns secret roles — villagers, mafia, doctor, and detective. The mafia secretly “kill” one person each night while everyone’s eyes are closed. During the day, the group debates and votes on who they think the mafia are. The game continues until one side wins. It’s full of suspense, bluffing, and laughter.


3. Ninja

Everyone stands in a circle and strikes a ninja pose on the count of three. Players take turns making one sharp movement to hit another player’s hand. If your hand is hit, you’re out! Feet must stay planted — the challenge is timing and precision. Fast, fun, and full of dramatic poses.


4. Zip Zap

Players stand in a circle and quickly pass the “energy” around. Say “Zip” to send it left, “Zap” to send it right. Once players get the hang of it, you can add funny twists like “Boing” (bounce it back) or “Zoom” (send across the circle). Great warm-up for large groups and guaranteed laughter.


5. Simon Says

A timeless game that always gets a laugh. One person (Simon) calls out commands — “Simon says touch your toes,” “Simon says spin around.” Players should only follow commands that start with “Simon says.” If someone moves when Simon doesn’t say, they’re out! Simple, fast-paced, and great for all ages.


6. Hand Slap Game

Everyone places their hands flat in a circle, overlapping with the next person’s hands. The goal is to keep the rhythm by tapping the next hand in order. A double tap reverses the direction. If someone hesitates, taps out of turn, or messes up the sequence, they lose a hand. It’s all about focus and quick reactions.


7. My Chair / Fruit Basket

Players sit in a circle with each chair labeled as a fruit (apple, banana, etc.). One person stands in the middle and calls out a fruit. Everyone with that fruit must quickly get up and swap chairs while the person in the middle tries to sit down. When “Fruit Basket” is called, everyone switches seats. Fast-paced and perfect for breaking the ice.


8. Guess the Leader

Everyone sits in a circle and one person leaves the room. While they’re gone, the group chooses a leader who starts a pattern of movements — like clapping, snapping, or nodding. The leader keeps changing the movement and everyone else copies. The guesser returns and must figure out who’s leading before the movement is spotted.


9. Elephant Football

Everyone stands in a circle with feet wide apart, touching the feet of the person next to them. Each player guards their “goal” — the space between their feet — using their hands as a trunk (no moving your feet!). The aim is to push or roll the ball through another player’s legs to score. If it goes through your legs once, you lose one arm; twice, you play with “trunk hands” together like an elephant. Great fun and chaos guaranteed.


10. Consequences

Everyone sits in a circle with a piece of paper and a pen. Players write and fold sections as the paper passes around the circle.

  • First, write a boy’s name.

  • Fold the paper so the name is hidden and pass it on.

  • Next, write a girl’s name, fold again, and pass.

  • Then write where they met, what he said, what she said, what they did, and finally, the consequence.
    At the end, unfold and read the ridiculous story out loud. Always funny, always different.