Church youth groups can use a variety of motivational games and activities.
It's important that church youth groups use an exciting mix of games and activities to motivate young people. These groups play an important role in communities, educating young people about morals and helping them become good citizens. Games can easily be modified to suit the age or interests of the group. Make sure your church group has some interesting and exciting games that children can learn from.
Name Games
The name game is good for small groups (eight to 12 members) of older children who don't want an active game that involves running around. Ask each person to write down 10 people's names (either people who are famous or whom the entire group knows) on separate sheets of paper, which are placed in a hat or basket. Then split the group into two or three teams, so each team has a minimum of three people. One member of each team must pull a name out of a hat and try to describe the person without saying the name. Once the team has guessed correctly, another name is pulled out. In a set amount of time, each team must guess as many people as they can.
Marshmallow Towers
For children who like to get their hands messy, "marshmallow towers" is an effective way to get children to work together in teams and develop leadership skills. You'll need several packets of marshmallows and spaghetti. This game sees which team can build the tallest tower using the marshmallows and spaghetti.
Animal Kingdom
This activity is good for younger children who lack confidence and need games to encourage them to speak to others and to interact. Ask them to introduce themselves and to tell the group which animals they identify themselves with. Provide choices, such as a dolphin, a horse or a lion.
The children are then told to group themselves according to what they chose. In the groups, children then discuss the following questions acting as their animals: What is one thing all of you have experienced that many people have not? What is one thing you all believe in? And what is one thing all of you are afraid of?
Poison
"Poison" is a good game to play at the beginning of a meeting, for getting children to burn some energy. This game needs at least 10 people. Place a chair, plastic barrel or something similar in the middle of the room, and get all the players to make a circle holding hands and facing that object. Children must move clockwise, making sure they don't let go of the hands of the people next to them or touch the object in the middle. If anybody does, they're out. As people are eliminated, the circle gets smaller. The last person standing wins.
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