Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Indoor Games for Church Kids

Indoor Games for Church Kids

Church games for children and adolescents provide great opportunities for adults to positively influence the lives of young people. Activities designed for church youth groups can build knowledge, foster a sense of community and teach lessons about teamwork and communication. Indoor games are ideal for medium-sized groups of youth ages seven to 18. These activities are low-maintenance and easy to clean up.

Trivia Race

    Games can make Bible study fun and interactive.
    Games can make Bible study fun and interactive.

    Give one Bible (or other religious text) to each youth. Seat the kids in chairs or pews. An adult leader calls out the name and number of a passage, psalm or scripture (for example, the leader would say, "John 3:14.") The kids find the passage in their text as quickly as possible. The first youth to stand up and begin reciting the correct passage wins one point. Play several rounds. The winner with the most points is awarded a prize (toy, game, treat, etc.).

Trivia Toss

    Combine knowledge games with athletic challenges to motivate children.
    Combine knowledge games with athletic challenges to motivate children.

    Create a list of 20 to 30 trivia questions and answers prior to playing; use a combination of religious and general knowledge questions. Divide the group into two teams. Set up a net or basket at one end of the room. Use tape to mark a line (the free throw line) 10 feet away from the basket. The leader reads a trivia question to the first team. The team provides an answer within 30 seconds. If they are correct, they receive one point and can send one team member to the free throw line. The team member has one chance to throw a ball into the basket for an extra point. If the team is incorrect, the other team has a chance to steal by answering correctly. The team with the most points after all questions have been read wins a prize.

Balloon Bounce

    Balloons can be used in a game to teach the value of teamwork and communication.
    Balloons can be used in a game to teach the value of teamwork and communication.

    Inflate 30 balloons. On each of the four walls, place a poster board; two should be marked Team 1 and two should be marked Team 2 . Divide the group into two teams; decide who is Team 1 and who is Team 2 . Each team member is given a chair; team members place their chairs anywhere in the room. When the game begins, every youth stands on his or her chair. The kids cannot leave their chairs until the end of the game. The team leader begins the game by releasing all of the balloons into the playing area. Each team must try to get as many balloons as possible to hit either of their poster board goals without ever leaving their chairs. At the end of three minutes, count up the score and let the teams move their chairs. Begin another round once everyone has decided. At the end of the game, lead a discussion about teamwork and strategy.

This Is Your Church

    Ask adult church members to submit sheets with little-known facts about their lives on them. Collect the sheets prior to the game. Divide the youth group into teams of four. Read the first team one of the facts. The team has 30 seconds to name the church member described in the fact. If they are correct, they receive one point. If they are incorrect, another team can try to steal their point. Continue until the facts have all been read. The winning team receives a prize. This is a great game to get kids to think about the people they see every week.