Hobbies And Interests
Poetic Introductions
Introductions are an important part of interactive youth group activities. First impressions set the tone of the group. Turn these introductions into a game of cooperation and presentation. Divide the group into smaller groups of four or five depending on the size of your group. Assign the groups to create a rap, poem or song including information about each individual. Include name, age and home location. Groups add common grounds such as shared musical or sports interests. Find at least one item of common ground, such as a love for art or religious beliefs within the entire group to include. Each group presents their poem, rap or song to the other groups in a dramatic form. Suggest adding dance or scene acting to the presentation.
Giant Rocks, Scissors and Paper
Decision making and compromise are often goals in youth group settings. Learning to cooperate with others to achieve a tasks is a lesson youth take with them throughout life. Turn the concepts into an interactive game using a few basic props. Set up an open area with a large pile of rocks in one area, a pile of scissors in another and a large pile of paper in a third area. Divide the group into two teams. Explain the rules of the game of Rock, Scissors, Paper; rock breaks scissors, scissors cut paper, paper covers rock. Upon the go signal, each team runs as a group to one of the piles. The groups decide the destination through a short rap session of strategy between rounds.
The Trust Circle
Turn the lesson of trust into an interactive game through a trust circle. The basis of the lesson is to use cooperation to form bonds of trust and achieve goals. Form a circle of participants in an even amount. The youth hold hands firmly with their feet together. Assign alternate numbers of one or two to the group. On command, group one leans as far back as possible without moving their feet. Group two holds tight, supporting the leaning group in the circle. On the second command, group two leans forward with their feet remaining in place. On the third command, group two leans back and group one leans forward. The circle works together to maintain balance.