Handbell Games

Speed

• Handbell speed games can be played as individuals or teams. In an individual game each player is given a handbell and has to ring it as many times as possible in one minute. Each player must have a partner to count the number of rings of the bell. As a team game line players up and give a handbell to the first in line. He must ring the bell five times and pass it to the next person in line. The first team to have its last player ring the bell five times wins.

Skill

• Show off the physical dexterity of players in a game that doesn't involve ringing the bell, but throwing it instead. Players pair up as partners. Each starts by standing three feet away from each other. One player tosses the handbell and the other must catch it by the handle. If that player misses it or catches it using any other part but the handle, that team is out. The remaining teams each step apart from each other increasing the distance between them by two feet. This continues until only one team remains, they are the winning team.

Hearing

• This is a scavenger hunt for handbells. The game starts with handbells being rung. Players must use their ears to locate where the handbells are. They then race to the bells, with the first to arrive getting that handbell. In this game one handbell can be rung at a time, with the next being rung after the first is found, or all the handbells can be rung throughout the game until they are found.

Creativity

• Compete to turn a handbell into the most attractive ornament or decoration. Decorate handbells to be used as a seasonal decoration. Around the winter holidays they can be decorated as figures such as angels, Christmas trees or even Santa Claus ornaments. For Valentine's Day they can be decorated like arrows or Cupid. Each player brings a decorated handbell to the party. Each of the guests vote for the best decorated handbell, without voting for his own. The winner is the one with the most votes.