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Fun No-Prep Games for Pre-Teens

When hosting a party for a group of pre-teens, it is always nice to know a few games that require little to no preparation. Organize these games quickly with a few supplies you probably already have on hand, such as tape, rope and paper. Start the party off with a couple of games to allow the pre-teens a chance to meet and make new friends, as well as a chance to bond with old friends.

Scavenger Hunts
- All you need is a piece of paper and a pen to create scavenger hunts for pre-teens. Plan an outdoor scavenger hunt by writing down items the kids can find outdoors, such a small twig, a brown rock, green leaf, something red and a white flower. Make two identical lists with 25 items. Divide the kids into two teams and give each team a list. The first team to find 20 of the 25 items wins the hunt. Alternatively, take the two teams to a mall and assign an adult to go with each team. They must collect items like a sales receipt, job application, straw and a loose clothing button.
Shapes
- Divide the players into teams of five or six. Have the teams stand in groups and call out a shape, such as circle or square. The first team to create the correct shape, either laying down or standing up, wins the game. Tell all the players they have to participate in making the shape, so one player cannot simply try to make the shape. Make the game harder by calling out harder shapes like a dog bone, a star, chair and a cup. For large groups, call out a word and have them teams use their bodies to spell out the word.
Pop Star Trivia
- Make a trivia game by asking the pre-teens a series of questions about pop stars. Say the name of a song and have them guess who sings it, or sing a line out of the song and have them sing the next line. Award a point to each player for each correct answer. The player with the most points wins the game. Another idea is to turn the radio on and find a song the pre-teens will know. The first player to guess the artist earns a point. If the player knows the name of the song, she earns an additional point.
Relay Races
- Lay down a rope to create a start and finish line about 25 feet apart. The pre-teens can compete in a variety of relay races. Have them select a partner for a wheelbarrow race. One partner will stand up and hold the other partner̵7;s legs, while she walks on her hands to the finish line. The first team to finish wins the race. For individual races, have the pre-teens run, race backwards, crab walk -- belly up on all fours-- or bear crawl -- belly down on all fours.

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