Hobbies And Interests
Imaginary Lives
Young teens are often fascinated by the lives of other people and enjoy watching soap operas and shows on TV where they can learn about relationships and resolving conflict. This game is ideal whenever you have to spend time waiting in a busy area, such as an airport. Have the teenagers select a couple nearby and construct an imaginary life for them. Stress they must be discreet and not stare or point, as their conversation is supposed to be secret. Have them imagine aspects of the couple's lives, such as their names, their jobs, where they live, whether they have children, where they met and what they like to do on a Saturday night. Add some more humorous prompts, such as what bad habits they might have that irritate each other, however remind them not to be unkind or insulting.
Time To Improvise
This game is ideal for a group of young teens as an icebreaker game. It encourages shy teens to participate and builds confidence. Divide the teens into small groups of three or four and have one group at a time act out a scene in front of the others. Give each member of the team a prop taken from a box of random objects and the starting line of a story, and have them improvise a sketch, with each person incorporating their object into their part of the story.
Imaginary Vacation
Young teens often have a great interest in discovering the wider world. This imaginary game is ideal for summer vacation, when a teen has more time and freedom to focus on a project of his own. Encourage him to think about a place in the world he would love to visit and find out as much about it as he can from books, movies, or people who have visited there. Let him plan a meal based on the traditional food of the country he has chosen, make decorations to evoke its atmosphere, and find music to accompany the meal. Let him tell you all about the place he's chosen while you enjoy the meal, and maybe you'll even end up planning a trip there for real.
Two Truths And A Lie
This is a great game to play as an icebreaker for young teens who don't know each other. Sit in a circle and get each teen in turn to tell the group three things about themselves; two must be true, and one must be a lie. Have the group confer to try and guess which is the lie, then let the teen have fun revealing the answer.