Games for Church Groups

Games for Large Group Settings

• To involve everyone in the game, play Amoeba. Choose one player to be "it," and that player must run and tag another player. When a player is tagged, he must join arms with the player who is "it." Together, those two players run and tag another player, who is then joined to the chain. This continues until all players are tagged.

  Another game is Balloon Battle. Split the church group into two teams, and inflate enough balloons for all players. Tie a string on the end of each balloon, and attach the balloon to the ankle of every player. At your command, players must pop the balloons of players on the other team. The team whose balloons are all popped first loses.

  The Egg Toss is a messy but fun game to play with large church groups. Divide everyone into teams of two. Give each team one egg. Then, standing in a line toe-to-toe facing their partners, the first player on each team must toss the egg to his or her partner. Once successfully caught, the second player takes one step back. Then, the eggs are tossed again. After each successful catch, the second player takes one more step back. The last team with an unbroken egg wins. This game can also be played with water balloons.

Traveling Group Games

• If dealing with a large, older church group, play Bigger and Better. Divide the group into several teams, and give each team a paper clip. The teams have two hours to leave and trade for objects bigger and better than the paper clip. Encourage the teams to go anywhere and trade for something bigger and better. Players may return with a washing machine, an old bicycle or a tire. The team with the biggest and best object after two hours wins.

  Teams can also travel with a Photo Scavenger Hunt. Divide the group into teams, and give each team a camera. Use only Polaroid cameras or digital cameras. Then, give each team a list of pictures they must take. Items on the list should be weird, funny or awkward. Pictures could include "Someone from Your Team in Full Firefighter Gear," and the team would have to go to a local fire station and ask to dress up in a firefighter's outfit. Other pictures could include "Someone from Your Team with Roadkill," "Your Entire Team in a Bathtub" or "Your Entire Team in a Phone Booth." After two hours, the teams must meet. A panel of judges rates each picture with points, and the team with the most points wins.