How to Run a Great Games Session
Running a games session for kids or young people can be one of the highlights of your week — or a complete headache — depending on how it’s handled. The good news? A great games session doesn’t require fancy equipment or Olympic‑level organisation. It just needs the right mindset.
Here are four simple principles that will help you run games sessions that are fun, inclusive, and actually work.
1. Have Fun (That’s the Point!)
This might sound obvious, but it’s surprisingly easy to forget. Kids come to games sessions to enjoy themselves. You’re not refereeing the World Cup, and you’re not trying to prove how competitive or serious you can be.
If the leader isn’t having fun, the group won’t either. Laugh when things go wrong. Don’t panic if the game descends into chaos for a moment. Enthusiasm is contagious — if you’re enjoying it, the kids probably will too.
A good rule of thumb: if you’re more stressed than the kids, something’s off.
2. Clear and Consistent Rules Make Fun Possible
That said, games without rules aren’t fun — they’re frustrating.
Clear and consistent rules are what protect the fun. Kids need to know:
How the game starts
What they’re allowed to do
What they’re not allowed to do
How someone wins or gets out
Explain the rules simply and check that everyone understands before you start. Then stick to them. Changing rules mid‑game (unless everyone agrees) usually leads to arguments and confusion.
Think of rules like the lines on a football pitch — they don’t ruin the game, they make it playable.
3. Adapt the Game (Flexibility Is a Superpower)
No game is sacred.
If something isn’t working, change it. If the game is dragging, shorten it. If one team is dominating, rebalance it. If the kids suggest a tweak that makes the game more fun — try it.
The key is communication. Stop the game briefly, explain the change clearly, and make sure everyone is on the same page before restarting.
Being flexible shows the group that you’re paying attention and that their enjoyment matters more than sticking rigidly to a plan.
4. Know Your Kids
This might be the most important point of all.
Every group is different. Some kids love physical, high‑energy games. Others hate being singled out, chased, or hit with a dodgeball. A game that works brilliantly for one group might completely flop with another.
Pay attention to:
Confidence levels
Physical ability
Sensory sensitivities
Group dynamics
If your group really doesn’t like being hit with a dodgeball… maybe don’t play dodgeball.
Great leaders choose games for the kids they have, not the kids they wish they had.
Final Thought
A great games session isn’t about perfect organisation or strict control. It’s about creating a space where kids feel safe, included, and free to enjoy themselves.
Have fun. Set clear rules. Stay flexible. Know your group.
Do those four things well, and you’ll already be ahead of most games leaders.
