How To Make A DIY Projector Screen For Outdoor Movies

/1 Comment/in , /by

A projector screen for outdoor movies is the perfect thing for sleepovers, family bonding time, entertaining overnight guests, playing video games, or providing entertainment for the whole neighborhood, church group, or Boy Scout meeting.

However, the price for the setup might be beyond your budget. Have you considered making your own? It’s entirely up to you how much money and work you want to put into your DIY projector screen.

You can also decide how portable you want it to be. If you have a place to store your screen in inclement weather, then perhaps you won’t need something that disassembles into a box you can keep under your bed. If you don’t have adequate storage, consider something more mobile.

Your handyman skill is another consideration. If you are able, you certainly can create a projector screen with grommets, snaps, spikes, and carved wood. If you aren’t so technically able, you might consider a less complicated construction.

Finally, you should think carefully about the location of your projector screen. Is there a way you can use the landscape already present in your construction? Are there trees you can incorporate into the design? Do you have a deck that would be perfect for frame mounting?

With these factors in mind, let’s take a look at some DIY projector screen projects.

Quick Navigation

 

Quick and Easy DIY Projector Screens
The Wall
The Curtain
The Frame
PVC DIY Projector Screen
Legality
 
 

Quick and Easy DIY Projector Screens

The Wall

a man sitting on the table, in front of the projector screen

 

Image Source: Unsplash

The easiest way to watch movies outdoors is to project the film on a white wall. The drawback is that every little bump and uneven space will impact the move viewing quality.

 

If you don’t happen to have a white wall large enough for movie projection, you can paint a large piece of plyboard, or several pieces of plyboard, and mount them directly on a wall. You may have the same problem with uneven sections since plyboard isn’t the smoothest surface.

 

You also may not have a place you want to mount such a large structure. That takes us to our next option.

 

The Curtain

red curtain used for diy projector screen

 

Image Source: Unsplash

You can make your own projector screen using a white sheet, white canvas, curtain backing, or blackout cloth. A white sheet, while probably the most economical, might not be thick enough to reflect the projected image, especially if you start the movie before it’s completely dark. Canvas is a heavier material and will not let as much background light through.

 

The best options for your DIY projector screen are curtain backing or blackout cloth, available at most fabric stores. These fabrics are thick and sturdy. Blackout cloth has a smooth and foam backed side. When hanging your screen, make sure the smooth side is what you will be projecting on, not the foam side.

 

You might also consider using a seamless white photography backdrop cloth. You can order this from shops that cater to photographers. The advantage of this type of cloth is that it has finished edges, adding to the durability. 

 

 

Photography backdrop cloths are made of non-reflective materials

and are thick enough not to allow background light to shine through.

 

There are several different ways you can suspend the cloth. If you have a wooden fence or clothesline, you can drape the sheet over the top and use clothespins to hold it in place. If you have a place to tie a rope or wire, you can run the cord through the top seam of the bedsheet and suspend it between two trees.

 

Using one of these methods, however, doesn’t take into account a wayward breeze that might cause your movie screen to undulate, distorting the move projection. To reduce some of that floating about, you might consider attaching a weighted rod or PVC pipe at the bottom.

 

You can either sew or use a hot glue gun to make another sleeve at the bottom of the sheet to insert the weight. You might still get some movement with a stiff wind, but it won’t be as drastic.

 

Any wrinkles in the cloth will contort projected images, so make sure the weight hangs evenly at the bottom. You should iron your material for a smooth screen and minimal distortions. Hanging red or black curtains on either side of your screen gives you the whole classic movie theater look.

 

The Frame

wooden frames in different colors

 

Image Source: Unsplash

If you are looking for something a little sturdier, you can construct a frame for your DIY projector screen. If you are using wood, make sure you make the structure large enough that the sheet lies flat when you attach it. You can use staples, nails or a hot glue gun to fasten the canvas to the frame.

 

The nice thing about using wood for framing is you can add a bit of creativity and make it resemble a large flat TV screen or add some sparkly paint for a high-class movie screen.

 

A wooden frame is a little heavy, so might consider PVC to mount your sheet on. PVC construction also tends to be cheaper and more portable. Use at least 2-inch diameter PVC. Otherwise, the frame will be too flimsy.

 

You won’t be able to staple the fabric to the PVC, so consider sewing a sleeve that you can slide the pipe through. You could also use snaps or ties spaced regularly on all four sides to attach the cloth to the frame. Remember, the tighter the fabric, the fewer wrinkles there will be.

 

Either the wooden or PVC frame can be hung on or propped against fences or walls. You also might consider adding a prop made of wood or metal behind the structure to support it, similar to a picture frame.

 

So what happens if you don’t have any space suitable to mount a framed projector screen? Consider making a screen with a stand.  

 

 
 

PVC DIY Projector Screen

 

To make a PVC projector screen with a stand, you will need:

 

  •  

     

    12 two-inch diameter PVC pipes cut into 7-foot sections

     

  •  

     

     2 two-inch diameter PVC pipes cut into 6-foot sections

     

  •  

     

     2 two-inch diameter PVC pipes cut into 3-foot long sections

     

  •  

     

    12 two-inch diameter PVC pipes cut into 2-foot long sections

     

  •  

     

     2 45-degree elbows that fit two-inch diameter PVC pipes

     

  •  

     

     4 T-fittings that fit two-inch diameter PVC pipes

     

  •  

     

     1 full-size white sheet

     

  •  

     

     6 18-inch ties or sturdy ribbons

     

The 7-foot pipes are the top and bottom of the screen. The 3-foot pipes are the legs. The 2-foot pipes are the feet that hold it up. Use the T-fittings to assemble the frame. Use the elbows to attach the feet.

 

Slide the top hem of the sheet onto the high PVC pipe. Measure where the bottom hem needs to be. Take the cloth off and sew the base sleeve. Add ties along both sides.

 

Put the bed sheet back on the frame. Slide the PVC into the hems on the top and the bottom. Tie the sides to the PVC pipes. Make sure the cloth is tight and wrinkle-free

 

 

You can glue the pieces together to create a lightweight
permanent structure if you like. Otherwise, this projector screen
disassembles in minutes for easy storage.

 

You may find that your DIY PVC projector screen is still a bit flimsy. Anchoring the feet with 1-inch spikes may help. You could also use sandbags to keep the wobble from becoming distracting.

 

Another, more creative setup, includes cementing the two side PVC pipes into flower pots, then covering the cement with decorative stones or shells.

 

If you aren’t particularly handy, several sites offer DIY projector screen kits. The fabric is already cut to size and hemmed. The frame is ready to assemble. In minutes, you’ll have an outdoor projector screen.

 

With your screen set up, you can begin your amazing movie night under the stars with just a few more bits of equipment. Plug your laptop or DVD player into a projector. Organize your speaker system for optimum surround sound. Prepare a couple of batches of popcorn and pop the movie in. Sit back and enjoy!

 

 
 

Legality

a huge group watching a movie through an outdoor diy projector scree

 

Image source: Pexels.com

Keep in mind that there are some legal issues when showing a movie in public. If you and the kids are the only audiences for backyard movie extravaganza, then there’s no problem. However, videos that are streamed, rented, or purchased are copyrighted and intended for private use only. Therefore they require a license when shown in public.

 

If you are part of a church group and your summer camp wants to host a movie night with your brand new projector screen, then you might want to look into getting a Church Video License. Otherwise, community groups seeking to host a public showing as a fundraiser should check out the requirements for Motion Picture Licensing.

 

Image Source: Unsplash

 

Other Types of DIY Projector Screens You Can Use

A Blank Wall

If all else fails, you can always just put the projection on a blank wall (preferably white) and be done with it. It’s the most cost-effective solution possible and it’s also incredibly versatile. You can set your projector up anywhere you go, and it won’t cost a penny. And an even more impressive feature of using a blank wall as your screen is that you don’t have to worry about your image being cut off due to size.

While other projector screens limit the area on which you can project, with a blank wall there’s barely any limit apart from that of your own projector’s specifications. Still, consider that the wall’s color should be white or at least a very light color so that it doesn’t affect the image quality. Even so, using a blank wall is economical because it doesn’t give out the best image quality possible by far.

Wrapping Paper

If you don’t already have some wrapping paper lying around somewhere in your house, then you can surely procure it at a very low cost from a nearby shop. Anyway, once you’ve got your hands on it, you can use it as a makeshift DIY projector screen. You want to be sure you pick a thick, sturdy wrapping paper with a glossy white bottom. Do not use wrapping paper if it is thin and tears easily, or if the white side is dull or unshiny.

To use wrapping paper as your screen, tape appropriately sized pieces to a wooden frame or onto a piece of cardboard. The issue with using wrapping paper as a projector screen is that it is incredibly flimsy so it can tear easily. A slight wind will cause rips or tears in the paper, distorting your final picture. Any damage to the paper, even just a wrinkle, will show up on your screen. And water can damage the screen easily.

67 Funny Cornhole Team Names

/1 Comment/in , /by

 

In the world of cornhole, a great team name is more than just a label – it’s a statement of camaraderie, wit, and, of course, a sense of fun. As the bean bag game continues to capture the hearts of players and spectators alike, choosing the perfect team name has become an art form.

Some of our personal favorite cornhole team names include, “The Corny Fellas”, “The Corn Cobs”, and “In the Bag”.

Whether you’re a casual player or joining the rankings of the best players in the world, join us as we dive into a collection of the most creative, clever, and downright entertaining cornhole team names that are sure to add a touch of humor and personality to your next match.

What is Cornhole?

If you’re reading this article, you’re probably already familiar with this quirky game, so we’ll keep it brief. 

Rising in popularity, cornhole is simple and fun for all ages. Required materials are few: some bean bags and 2 cornhole boards. At the heart of the game is a single hole strategically placed in the upper middle section of each board.

How can I win at cornhole?

The simple point of this game is to toss the cornhole bags into the hole. There is a scoring system, for which a player receives fewer points for landing on the cornhole board rather than through the hole in the board. The player or team with the most points wins.

Often, in each game, the players decide what top score to play to (read the next session to know the official winning score), and the player or team that reaches this amount of points first, wins.

Rules and Regulations

Cornhole can absolutely be played casually, but if you want to get serious, you can follow the guidelines from the American Cornhole Association. 

Some basics include:

  • Can be played in singles or doubles
  • Each player gets 4 bean bags
  • Players must use all 4 bean bags on each of their turns
  • A bean bag on the wooden cornhole board is 1 point, and a bean bag that goes inside the hole is 3 points
  • Officially, you play until one team reaches 21 points
 

Funny Cornhole Team Names

 

The most creative part of playing cornhole is coming up with a high quality name for your team. The name of the game itself  is funny and encourages puns, jokes, and innuendos.

The possibilities for funny cornhole team names are endless, and the laughs can start during the selection process. There are opportunities to play on the words: corn, maize, bag, kernel, and of course, hole.

Some options can be a bit graphic and inappropriate, but there are cleaner alternatives as well. In any case, a cornhole tournament allows for more creativity and entertainment than simply tossing the bags –  it’s awesome to be corny!

Below is a comprehensive list of our top picks for cornhole team names to liven up your experience!

  1. 1

    The Corn Holers

  2. 2

    The Whole Kernal

  3. 3

    The Corn Thugs

  4. 4

    The Corndogs

  5. 5

    The Beanie Weanies

  6. 6

    The Cornholios

  7. 7

    The Corn Cobs

  8. 8

    Corntopia

  9. 9

    The Cornbread Fed

  10. 10

    The Corn Barbarians

  11. 11

    The Corn Maizers

  12. 12

    Corn Air

  13. 13

    The Corn Tossers

  14. 14

    The Bean Tossers

  15. 15

    The Corn Bags

  16. 16

    Feeling Corny

  17. 17

    The Corny Jokesters

  18. 18

    The Flying Corn Holes

  19. 19

    The Popcorn Holers

  20. 20

    The Candied Corns

  21. 21

    The Corny Masters

  22. 22

    The Hole Masters

  23. 23

    The Masters of the Game

  24. 24

    The Holey Kings

  25. 25

    The Holy Queens

  26. 26

    The Holey O’s

  27. 27

    This Bag of Awesomeness

  28. 28

    Team of Baggers

  29. 29

    Team of Hole Ringers

  30. 30

    The Ringers

  31. 31

    The Bags of Terror

  32. 32

    The Corny Bags

  33. 33

    These Bags Are Real

  34. 34

    I Paid for These Bags

  35. 35

    The Bags of Joy

  36. 36

    The Playful Corn Holers

  37. 37

    The Corn Holers Duo

  38. 38

    The Corny Heroes

  39. 39

    The Corny Fellas

  40. 40

    The Corny Chicks

  41. 41

    The Best Corning Team

  42. 42

    The Cornhole Masters

  43. 43

    Maize on This

  44. 44

    Can’t Corn This

  45. 45

    Can’t Touch this Corn

  46. 46

    The Maizettas

  47. 47

    The Conettas

  48. 48

    The Unicorns

  49. 49

    Ring the Hole

  50. 50

    Find the Hole

  51. 51

    The Greatest Corn Holers

  52. 52

    The Number 1 Corn Holers

  53. 53

    The Team of Master Cornholers

  54. 54

    In the Bag

  55. 55

    The TP’s

  56. 56

     Tea Baggers

  57. 57

    The Whole Enchilada

  58. 58

    Which Hole

  59. 59

    The Corn Stars

  60. 60

    The Last Bag Standing

  61. 61

    The Corn Cops

  62. 62

    All In

  63. 63

    The Cornadoes

  64. 64

    The Magic Hands

  65. 65

    The Hands of Fury

  66. 66

    The Hole Denominators

  67. 67

    The Corn Crackers

 

The Game of Cornhole

 

Hope this list was insightful and entertaining. Cornhole is a great party game. Anyone who has not tried it should definitely play a game of cornhole with their friends. It can be a great game to be shared with those you know. Cornhole can bring people together for the possibility of new relationships and friendships.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Is cornhole a workout?

While cornhole is a serious competition, it certainly isn’t a serious workout. It simply doesn’t evolve enough effort, sweat, or pressure on the heart to burn off too many calories or train any individual or group of muscles whatsoever. As such, cornhole isn’t and could never be considered a workout. If you want to get in shape, cornhole isn’t the way to go.

How do you get good at cornhole?

To excel at cornhole, you need a bit of practice, just like with every activity of this type. However, there are also several other factors you should take into consideration if you want to really master this skill.

The first thing you have to do is find a comfortable stance and throw that works for you. There is no “right” way to pose for cornhole, so just go with what feels right.

Next, concentrate on putting the bag on the first six inches of the board and using velocity to slide it into the hole. Don’t think about the hole itself, but rather about your technique. As with any sport, once you’ve played enough times, the main obstacle to winning is a poor mindset. There’s no barrier to cornhole other than yourself. It’s a sport that practically anyone can engage in, and you should always keep that in your mind if you ever feel discouraged.

It might sound odd, but picture the bag as a Frisbee. You wouldn’t throw a Frisbee end over end, would you? Only if you don’t like having friends. Otherwise, you’d want a nice, flat throw with a good spin. This is how you should be throwing your bag. Practicing is the only way to get better. So take all this advice, set up the boards, grab a cold beer from the fridge, and get out there.

 

 

Final Thoughts

 

Imagine inviting a stranger over to play a cornhole tournament. If they didn’t know what you were talking about, it could be a great conversation starter. This conversation could also eventually lead from opponent to a new partner in a future game-you never know! Then you can choose funny team names together, or choose from this list of funny cornhole team names. Coming up with the name is fun and is crucial to the game, but the game itself is pretty awesome as well, so don’t forget to check it out. Want to deck out your cornhole set with some fun cornhole accessories? Check out these eye-popping cornhole board wraps.

Featured Image via Flickr

21 Fun 70th Birthday Party Ideas to Celebrate a Platinum Jubilee in Style

/1 Comment/in /by

When planning a 70th birthday party – or a platinum jubilee as people call this anniversary in some circles, it is important to make sure that your guest of honor is comfortable and will enjoy the celebration. It is their party after all!  This will depend greatly on their health, food preference, and the desired party size. It seems like a ton of stuff to consider, right? Well, worry not, because, in this article, you are sure to find something that will work for any lucky 70 years old! So here are our most fun and best twenty-one 70th birthday party ideas to consider this year! If you were looking for some fun surprise 70th birthday party ideas for your lifetime partner or some special 70th birthday party ideas for mom or dad, you will find your inspiration here!

If you want even more creative incentives to organize a memorable event for everyone involved, check out our 80th birthday party ideas as well! We are sure you can adapt the themes and activities to any situation!

21 70th Birthday Party Ideas for Your Loved Ones

On the Day You Were Born:

This is always a fun party idea because it allows you and other guests to get a glimpse inside the life of the honoree that they might not have seen before. The first thing you will want to do is either go to your public library or on your computer, do a search for the exact day they were born, and learn! Then you will need a way to display all of the information you have just learned. My favorite way is to get a big chalkboard and decorate it with facts about the day of the honoree’s birth.

If you do decide to use a chalkboard, a fun idea is to also place a second chalkboard next to it and allow guests to write memories or sweet notes. You can write and draw a lot of stuff related to the decade that the person was born in. You can also look on the internet for far lesser-known stuff related to the person’s birth year or birth decade. It’s worth doing as much research as possible because you never know what you might stumble upon.

Slide Show:

Slide shows are a great way to keep the party intimate and also bring back happy memories with loved ones. There are two different formats that can be used for a slide show, one is a “Now and Then”, where you would display pictures of the honoree from childhood through to their 70th birthday party. Another way to present a slideshow is “A Look Back and a Look Forward”. This one is my favorite, because not only do you get to share and enjoy the memories of their life so far, but you get the chance to ask them and display pictures of where they hope to go and what they want to achieve.

This is an idea to be careful with; you do not want to dredge up old and painful memories. For example, you might want to avoid putting up pictures from the person’s wedding if their spouse has died recently. It might be too much for them, and the birthday party might turn out much sadder than you would have planned otherwise.

Milestone Photo Book:

In case, you are concerned that a slideshow might evoke too many painful memories, I suggest using a photo book instead. Choosing this route will allow everyone to look at the photos at their leisure. People can talk to the birthday guy or gal about the photos. This is a beautiful way to hear stories from the honoree and learn about their life and what is special to them. Choose not only photos of the honoree, but also ones of children and grandchildren. They will be reminded of the life and joy still flourishing around them. It might also be the perfect moment to allow them to share their own take on some events or memories. You might even end up finding out something that you had absolutely no idea about the birthday boy or gal.

Host a Roast:

This is a great way to liven up any party, especially a 70th birthday party! Can you imagine all of the stories after 70 years of living!?  It is important that you include on the invites the plan for a roast, and have whoever wants to participate think of a funny story about the honoree they would like to share at the party.  Be sure that you ask to see each memory/funny story first, this way you can avoid duplicates and, most importantly, hurt feelings.

This is a theme where the guest of honor is remembered and gets to feel special while laughing. Organizing a roast for a guest of honor is, in general, a great idea for any type of party or celebration, so you can keep it in mind for an 80th birthday party as well. Again, try not to be mean and try talking to the other guests about what questions would be good and what things are absolutely off-limits for anyone so that you don’t end up causing the guest of honor to cry.

Classic Car Theme:

If your birthday honoree is all about old, classic cars, this is a great theme to have. Find out what cars they owned, or always wanted to own, and decorate the place.  The important thing to be aware of is that this is not a party for a child. That being said, the cake can be in the shape of an old car, you could try organizing a car show for the party, but I would keep the decorations for the most part subtle. You are celebrating something they love, and need to be cognizant of where to draw the line.

best 70th birthday party ideas for family members
Image via Pexels

Casino Night:

This is one of my favorite ways to celebrate, well, ANYTHING!  If the one you are celebrating is the type of person who likes to go to casinos, then this is a party that simply cannot fail.  You can put their picture on everything from the poker chips and cards to the slots in a slot machine! With this theme, everyone can play games at their own pace and party while remembering who they are celebrating. Besides, who would not want their face on a poker chip?

Speaking of casino nights and recreating the atmosphere of noir cinema and literature, why don’t you check out this guide on the best card games to play to get your imagination wheels in motion? If the party honoree does not want to play poker necessarily, you can always engage in a mean game of Canasta. Just make sure you all remain friends afterward, as Canasta can heat up the spirits like no other!

Picnic or BBQ:

If you are throwing a party for someone who loves the outdoors, a wonderful party would be a picnic or BBQ. Find a beautiful shaded and somewhat secluded place, place blankets on the ground, and picnic baskets filled with goodies. If the honoree enjoys being on the grill, have a personalized apron made for them with something like “kiss me, I’m 70” or “made in 19__” for a special touch.  This is a great way to celebrate a spring or early fall birthday. In fact, it is one of the loveliest ways to celebrate any birthday, especially for kids and teens born in the summer. It makes a wholesome and laidback event where everybody can be themselves.

Afternoon Tea Party:

If the guest of honor is not much of a party animal or prefers smaller crowds, an afternoon tea party is a sweet and intimate way to go. Find a nice room to rent for an afternoon, and place lace tablecloths down, some flowers, perhaps even some pearls. A trick I have used is to find clear vases or bottles, and put pearls and glitter in the bottom, and then stick a flower in. They make lovely centerpieces. Tea lights are also a classy and fun way to go.

Just because this is a tea party for a 70-year-old, doesn’t mean it can’t be fun! You could try searching for bundles with many different types of tea to try out. That way, every guest will be pleased and each person can share a recommendation about their favorite tea. The more tea enthusiasts you bring to the party, the better, as you yourself might find out about a flavor that you didn’t even know existed.

Golfing Theme:

This theme is another fun outdoor type of party to have. This theme is not just for the adults either, you could go big and set up a miniature golf section as well for the kids. A game that I think is a fun one for this type of party, is to get a large glass jar, fill it with golf balls and tees, and have people place bets on how many items are in the jar, with a prize for the winner. Otherwise, you could actually rent a golf venue and do your business there. Keep in mind, however, that doing the latter is quite expensive, and unless you can afford to throw your loved one such a birthday party, you’re better off just sticking to a regular golf theme in your backyard and that’s that.

 

Games:

This type of party would be fun for any age, but especially for someone hitting 70.  Lookup popular television show games, or family games and go wild!  Find out which games to use and replace some things. For example, make player pieces with their face on them, or for a question/answer type game, come up with questions about the honoree.  This is a fun way to keep everyone interactive while keeping the focus on the main person. A nice idea would be an adapted version of one of the many Get to Know You games. You can challenge the guests to answer questions about the honoree and see who know him/her better and who has the funniest stories.

best 70th birthday party ideas for mom and dad
Image via Pexels

Memory Jars:

Memory jars are a great way to illustrate the life of the person celebrating their 70th birthday party.  You can start by making ones yourself as table decorations. Provide extra jars, photos, and other fun things for the guests to make their own. Then after the party is over, everyone will have something to take home as a keepsake of the wonderful life they just celebrated.

Dance Party:

A themed dance party is a great way to celebrate any 70th birthday party for someone still very active. Choose music from their teen to young adult years, and let the music take control.  Finding a DJ can be expensive, yes, but it doesn’t have to be. Just pick someone you know and have them create a playlist, then all you will have to worry about is the speaker system.

Photo Booth:

A photo booth is a welcome attraction at any party.  Pick some cool props that are appropriate to celebrating the honoree.  Help them and everyone creates new memories that will last forever. This is something that will be interactive and fun for everyone! You’ll surely remain with some nice memories after such a well-organized event.

Food Throughout the Years:

If the person you are celebrating is a foodie, then here is the party for them!  Pick popular foods from the last 70 years, and have at it.  A fun idea to do with this is to make the tables different themed and allow guests to move about. Sitting at different tables enjoying different foods will make for excellent conversation and full happy stomachs! This is also an excellent way to ensure that you have a wide variety of foods for special diets.

Do Not Forget the Balloons:

The right balloons can make any party a success.  They are a reminder of youth and fun and keep everything light and fun.  If you are having trouble pinpointing the perfect theme, balloons can help.  By simply picking a color scheme, themes will just sort of start popping out of the woodwork! They do this party planner anyway.

3 More 70th Birthday Party Ideas for Mom

Now, let’s see some specific 70th birthday party ideas for mom that you can plan in the blink of an eye! Of course, all the party ideas above are unisex so to speak, but if you want something truly special, here are five ideas to start with and get you going!

Theatre Play to Honor Her Achievements

This idea here is excellent if your mom had always had a soft spot for theatre or cinema. Talk to the other family members and note down all the important and proud moments in your mother’s life so far. Something that will put a smile and even some tears of joy on her face. Get some inspiration from our guide on improv games, as you may want to celebrate her achievements with a comedic flair.

An All-Women Celebratatory Photo

This 70th birthday party idea does not exclude the male members of the family. However, when it comes to the best 70th birthday party ideas for mom, you cannot go wrong with this one. Talk to all the women in your family and have a photo together – a large one so your mom can display on a wall – including everyone, from granny to the youngest girl in the clan. Sign the photo all of you, frame it, and make a girl-themed party out of it if you want.

Play The “Never Have I Ever” Game

Women and their secrets, right? In the vein of organizing a laidback game party for mom and her guests, try playing the Never Have I Ever game. At 70 years old, your mom probably did a lot of things and this is the best time to find out some of her secrets and less-known life adventures! As long as the questions do not trigger painful memories or lean on some family issues no one wants to learn about at a party, you should be fine. Choose your questions well and have a blast from the past with your mom, dad, family members, and friends!

3 More 70th Birthday Party Ideas for Dad

As we said above, all these 70th birthday party ideas go great for both men and women, but if you want to celebrate your dad in style, here are some more tips on how to organize a memorable event!

The Honorary Cocktail Party

Does your dad have a favorite drink or cocktail? Make a party out of it or, better yet, invent a special cocktail for your dad and name it after him! You can also choose a different approach: start from your dad’s favorite color, make a cocktail that has that color (after you mix and stir the well-chosen ingredients), get some party decorations in the same nuance, and have some fun with it! Your dad will be more than happy to name a cocktail and share some good times with all of you!

The Sports Party

You probably already had this idea, but it doesn’t hurt to repeat it. A sports-themed party revolving around your dad’s favorite sport is always a good idea to keep him invested and the guests entertained. You can go to any lengths with it. Prepare an awesome sports-themed gift (like a great baseball glove) and try to have it signed by one of his favorite players. Since it is a bit difficult, you can have it signed by all the family members. While it may be hard to get an autograph from a sports celebrity, it is not hard at all to order a cake in the shape of a basketball or even a baseball bat.

Dad’s Favorite Things Party

Last (but definitely not least) on our list of best 70th birthday party ideas for dad is a themed celebration revolving around all the things your dad loves, from snacks to movies. It is one of the best ways to make your father feel like a king and see everyone around him enjoy all the things that he enjoys. Order his favorite chocolates and foods, decorate in his favorite color, play his favorite music, watch his favorite film together, you know… Add a splash of all those wonderful things that make your father so wonderful and enjoy them with the rest of the family and guests!

Bottom Line

There you have it, some of the best 70th birthday party ideas. The most important thing to remember is to celebrate the life of the person, and not to focus on their age.  Keep it light and fun while making new memories.  Your goal is that everyone walks away from the party feeling like they have been a part of new memories being made. Good luck, not that you will need it!

Featured Image via Pixabay

13 Fun Road Trip Games for Adults

/0 Comments/in /by

Before the days of smartphones and tablets, people used road trip games to have fun in the car during long journeys.  Instead of being glued to a screen, you can learn more about your friends or family and create some fantastic new memories.  They are a great way to stay occupied and share a few laughs while on the road!  To help you get started, here are a few of the best road trip games for adults.

Never Have I Ever…

This classic game also works well for car trips.  A person in the car makes a simple statement starting with “Never have I ever…” and anyone who has ever done that action in their life must take a bit of a donut.  Play continues around the car in a clockwise direction. Just a word of caution, however. We recommend letting everyone play except the driver so that they will be able to pay attention to the road. We don’t mean it in a discriminatory manner, just in the sense that safety is too important to be forgotten. Or if the driver really wants to play, we recommend saving the donut bite for later so that they won’t have to take their eyes off the road or their hand off the stick shift.

Six Degrees of Separation

Six degrees of separation is a theory that everyone in the world is connected via six or fewer relationships.  In this game, one person names two different film or television stars and the other people in the car must try to find a link between the two in six steps or less.  For example, you might say William Shatner and Hale Berry.

They are linked by:

William Shatner starred in Miss Congeniality with Sandra Bullock

Sandra Bullock starred in Practical Magic with Nicole Kidman

Nicole Kidman starred in Australia with Hugh Jackman

Hugh Jackman starred in X-Men with Halle Berry!

See where this is going? You can take either two celebrities you like and then link them as fast as you can. Just don’t pick two stars that have starred in the same movie. That would ruin the game in most scenarios unless it’s something very obscure and forgotten by most of the population.

21 Questions

This game is great fun for people of all ages. Have a passenger think of a person, place, or object. The other passengers then have 21 questions to find out what they are thinking of. Questions should only be asked once. The questioner who correctly guesses what the person thought of gets to start the next round. You can try all sorts of characters, objects, and what not to think of. The more obscure what you’re thinking of is, the more frustrating or pleasant the game can be. It depends on who you’re playing with and on their taste.

Don’t Say It!

This is a simple game that tests the memory of players during a long car ride. Pick 5 common words that passengers are not allowed to say during the journey.  They should be common words used when traveling like “arrive”, “look” or “car”.  Whenever a person says one of the five words they are penalized in some way — either they donate a coin to the “road trip snacks fund” or they have to perform an annoying task like filling the car with petrol or running an errand. You can think of lots of ways to “punish” the one who isn’t paying attention and says one of the words in question.

Fictional Families

This is a great game to get your imagination going during the car ride. Simply pick out a vehicle that is sharing the road with you and have everyone take a good look at the occupants. Everyone should then collaborate to give these people an imaginary back story based on how they look, what kind of car they drive, and how they are dressed. Some really funny backstories can be invented if you’re creative enough.

Image via Unsplash

Human Jukeboxes

This is a great game if everyone in the car loves music.  It is started by one passenger singing a line from a well-known song.  The next person must connect the last word from that lyric to another song. For example:

“Love, love me do, you know I love you…”  (The Beatles)

“…Give love a bad name…” (Bon Jovi)

“…That’s not my name, that’s not my name!” (The Ting Tings)

Would You Rather

Another simple and funny road trip game that will help the time go faster. Simply think of two strange or disgusting activities and ask your fellow passengers which one they would prefer to perform. For example, “Would you rather have no arms or no legs?” Everyone should put some thought into their responses and have a couple of funny reasons why they made the choice.

The Movie Game

This is a great game for people who love movie trivia.  It starts with a person mentioning the name of a random actor.  The next person has to answer with a film that this actor starred in.  The next person has to answer with the name of another actor who starred in the film and so on.  The key to winning is thinking of obscure movies and actors.  If someone gets an answer wrong, they are out of the game until the next round.  For example: “Sean Bean” — “Game of Thrones” — “Lena Headley” — “Judge Dredd” — “Karl Urban” — “Star Trek”

Fortunately/Unfortunately

This game requires a bit of creativity, but it can be quite fun for adults to play.  The first person thinks of something fortunate about the trips or what has happened that day.  It can be something true or something fictional.  The next person must follow it up with some unfortunate event tied to the first event.  For example:

“Fortunately, we are going to arrive at our destination sooner than expected!”

“Unfortunately, it has been invaded by the Chinese military”

“Fortunately, we all like Chinese food!”

“Unfortunately, they have no fortune cookies”

Couples Padiddle

In this game, participants have to call out “Padiddle” every time they see a vehicle with a headlight out.  The last one to say padiddle has to do something for the other person.  In the couples version of the game, this might be to give them a kiss or give them a neck massage.

Image via Unsplash

Hot Seat

This game involves one person in the group being asked five questions by anyone else in the car.  The person in the hot seat has to answer at least 4 out of the 5 questions. We like this game because it can be as wholesome or as roast-like as anyone wants it to become. Again, depending on the type of people you’re playing with, you can go over the limit or play it safe. It’s up to you and the others in the car how much you’ll be laughing during such a bout of banter.

Radio Roulette

As you drive across the country, you will keep finding new (and unusual) radio stations with some interesting and entertaining content. Radio roulette involves randomly choosing a new radio station every 10 minutes so you get to hear what is out there.  You might find yourself listening to everything from smooth 80s jazz through to evangelical Christian radio! You can even try inputting random frequencies on the radio tuner and see what you’ll get when you’ll have driven three miles past the point where you set the chosen frequency. We bet you’re already thinking about all the different possibilities!

Explain a film plot badly

This is another fun game for film buffs!  In this game, one person explains the plot of a film very badly and the other passengers attempt to guess which film it is.  For example “A boy befriends a bearded hermit and two gay robots, goes into space, snogs his sister and kills his dad”.  Know the answer?  Star Wars!  Here’s another one — “Bloke punches himself. Encourages others to punch him. Leaves his job. Shaves his head. Bad influence on Meatloaf”.  That’s right, it is Fight Club!

So try a few of the above road trip games for adults — you’ll be surprised by how fun the journey becomes! Want more road trip games? Check out our bonus list of 35 family road trip games.

Featured image via Unsplash

Best Improv Games for Kids, Teens & Adults this Year

/1 Comment/in , /by

Do you remember those Whose Line Is It Anyway improv games? Have you ever been on an improv show? Well, improv games find their roots in theater and actors play them by some rules. We will talk about them a bit later. What we want to discuss today are some of the best improv games for kids, teens, and adults. Besides keeping everyone involved in a deep state of fun, improv games develop wit and communication like no others. They have both an entertaining and educational value, and make excellent choices for group play.

Why Are Improv Games for Kids, Teens, And Adults Useful?

We’ve all experienced the sometimes awkward process of getting to know new people, especially in group settings. More often than not, improv games are a great way to allow people to get to know one another in a fun fashion. Improv games are essentially games that are designed to improve on an individual’s improv acting skills in the theater. These games also make great icebreakers and are just plain fun for anybody to play.

Children love the interactive rules of improv games and are much more likely to have fun because of the unpredictable nature of these games. Since there is a great variety of games, kids are not the only ones who can participate. Corporate outings and company team-building exercises are also implementing improv games to encourage unity and cohesion among employees.

Improv Games for kids and teens are also some of the best activities you can organize indoors as a parent. No matter whether you stay inside the house to play while following the lockdown rules or you moved in the back yard for some cool outdoor challenges, the idea is that improv games benefit the young minds in more ways than one.

Take a look at these next thirteen fun, energetic, and creative improv games for kids, teens, and adults that can be used in a variety of settings.

13 Best Improv Games for Kids, Teens, and Adults

Game #1:

Imitation

This first game is simple and fun for any group, kids, or adults. The game starts with everyone forming a circle. Someone will start by performing some kind of action, small or big, such as snapping or a dance move. The player can also opt to make a sound of some sort like a dog barking or whistling a short tune. The goofier the better. The next person in the circle will then do their best to imitate that sound or action and the next person will imitate that person and so on and so forth. The game is similar to the telephone. You might think it should be simple to imitate a sound or action, but as more people attempt it, the more distorted and amusing it becomes. It is one of the best and funniest things to do indoors on a rainy afternoon with your kids and their friends.

Game #2:

Ten Strikes and You’re Out!

This next game can be played by any age group and in small or large groups. Each individual holds up each of their fingers, representing the number of “strikes” they get before they are out. One at a time, each person will state something that is true about themselves but is hopefully not true about the other group members. Do not mistake this for a “Never Have I Ever Game,” or a “Truth or Dare” game, however. For example, I could state that I own a dog. Whoever can say “I too own a dog” is safe. But whoever does not own a dog has to put a finger down. When someone runs out of fingers, they are out. The last person to have a finger up wins. The goal is to say something that is true of you but NOT true about others, so the more unique you can make it, the better. This game encourages players to pay attention to and learn about the other group members so they can plan their turn strategically.

Game # 3: 

Rocks Ahead!

This game requires some props, really anything that can be placed on the ground as an obstacle such as a shoe, pillow, toys, chairs, etc. One person is picked as the Captain who is at the wheel of the “ship” but cannot see anything due to heavy fog (this member is blindfolded). The rest of the group are the mates who are on the lookout for any obstacles that might sink the ship like rocks, reefs, etc. which are represented by the various obstacles placed on the ground throughout the room. The group, using only their words, will do their best to navigate the blindfolded Captain through the obstacles without touching any of them. If so desired, you may allow the “ship” 1 or 2 brushes against an obstacle to making the game a little easier. However, the game is most fun when the captain is left to tend to their duties and each crewmate can only utter one single piece of advice. This is especially noticeable if the team is pretty big. The more cremates, the better the game becomes.

Game #4:

Back to the Future

This game involves 2-4 players who will take a few minutes to improvise the plot for a short scene but will not act it out. Then the audience will decide if they want to see what preceded that scene or what happens after. This game promotes teamwork among the actors and is just plain amusing for the audience. This game works best for a group of friends or family members on a weekend, where some of the participants want to play a society game while others just want to have some fun without the effort. If you’re especially creative or knowledgeable you can try mixing some real history with made-up facts to make things even more interesting for the audience.

Game #5:

Turn and Trust

This next game is great for building trust and teamwork. It is one of the best team building games and activities to try on any occasion. Have the group form a circle with everyone standing really close together. Then instruct the group to make a quarter-turn to the left. Then ask everyone to move in, standing even closer together. Next, ask the whole group to sit down simultaneously. If done properly, each group member will end up sitting on each other’s knees. If you really want to challenge them, instruct them to walk while sitting by telling them which foot to start with. Do be careful, however, that this particular task could end up with some minor injuries. Be responsible and organize this game in some place where the floor is soft enough to prevent any damage that could occur during such a challenge.

Game #6:

Octopus

This next game is simple and makes one of the best improv games for kids or teens. It works well for adults too. The group starts in either a circle or a line with each player holding hands. The group then moves around with an inevitable tangle of people forming. For added fun, have the group then try and untangle themselves. You’ll surely get lots of laughs when partaking in this fun improv game for most ages.

Game #7:

Jabbering Jargon

This improv game is structured around an individual, with audience participation. The individual starts calling out any words he/she wants with the goal of saying as many words as possible that have no association with the previous word. For example, I could say, “baseball, sky, bed, dog, lamp, light bulb” but at the light bulb, I would stop since there is an association between lamp and light bulb. This game encourages creativity and focuses on the individual and vigilance from the group since they will be the ones stopping the individual when an association is made.

Game #8:

Fast-Forward/Rewind

In this game, you will need to pick a “director” and the rest of the group will serve as actors. The actors will act out a scene and at any point, the director can “rewind” or “fast-forward” the scene at which point the actors will adjust their scene accordingly. This is a great game for improving impromptu skills and also forces the actors to work in unison, especially in the “fast-forward” portions of the game. It’s even more fun if you enact strict rules like “you have to replace the word x with the word y after z rewinds”. The game tests the participants’ memory this way while also staying pretty fun and fresh for the entire duration. Overall, a great game for patient and creative people.

Game #9:

Active Audience

This game is played with 1-3 players as the “storytellers” and the rest of the group provides assistance when the storytellers look to the crowd for creative ideas. For example, a storyteller may say, “I like Italian food but my favorite food of all time is…” At this point the audience could yell out “dirty socks” or “beach towel” and the storyteller would continue, “I like Italian food but my favorite food of all time is dirty socks. Dirty socks just really hit the spot when I’m famished.” The story can go for as long as you like. This is a great improv game that encourages the storytellers to tap into their creative side. It also leads to some great jokes that can be referenced for a long time. In some instances, the game could literally continue for hours on end without any breaks. This is the level of fun that we’re talking about when we have such an interactive game as this one.

Game #10:

The Voice

This next game is great for an improv class or just a fun game for anyone to engage in. It can take place on a stage or anywhere there is ample room. The group, minus one, will come up with a scene to act out. One individual will not be acting but will instead be the voice of an “invisible character” whom the rest of the actors will have to incorporate into their scene. The “voice” is a supposed invisible character whom the actors can see but the audience cannot. It’s a great game especially for children because it forces them to use their imagination and creativity to create a compelling story.

Game #11:

Rumor Has It…

This is a great warm-up game for any group. All players sit in a circle. The first person points at an individual and whispers, “Did you hear…?” to the person next to them. That person affirms and adds to the silly rumor. For example, the game might start with a player pointing to the person across from them and whispering to their neighbor, “Did you hear Joe has a reverse aging disorder and is actually over 200 years old?” The neighbor might then gasp dramatically and whisper to their neighbor, “Did you hear Joe has a reverse aging disorder and is actually over 200 years old and is from Mars?” This would continue until the person sitting next to Joe would tell the audience the collective rumors she/he heard about Joe. This game encourages creativity and emphasizes memory recall and is also sure to lead to some fun inside jokes. You can also make your own rules to attempt making the game even more fun. For example, you might force the players to make the following rumor rhyme with the previous one. That in itself adds even more creativity to an already fun and creative game.

Game #12:

In Sync

For this game, you will need to come up with three things that can be easily mimicked with hand gestures. For example, if you picked a king, the sign could be to use your hands to form a crown above your head. If you picked a chicken, the sign could be to bob your head and cluck. Consider this a game of charades or a part of the Fishbowl Game if you like. The mimicking part is the same across the board. You can pick anything, just make sure all the players know the three things agreed upon and what their signs are. At your signal, each player will pick one of the three things and will make the appropriate sign. The game continues until everyone in the group picks the same thing to act out. It is fun to watch who leads the group in which thing to act out and who is stubborn in following!

Game #13:

Group Mime

This last game involves group coordination to mime a group activity. For example, tug-o-war, rowing a boat, peddling a 10 person bike, etc. This game encourages suggestions from the audience and teamwork from the players. If there is no audience then simply ask any one of the players for a suggestion of what to mime. Again, it can last for hours on end given the fact that you and your teammates are young and full of energy.

There you have it, 13 fun improv games. Do you still need more fun game suggestions? Make sure you check out our extensive list of dice games as well!

Best Improv Games for Kids, Teens & Adults: Rules

As we said at the beginning of this article, improv games also come with rules. It doesn’t matter if you choose to play improv warm-up games for a team building session, improv games for teens to keep them busy this summer, or situation based improv games to put on a play or a show, the rules are mostly the same. Inspired by theater practice, they sound like this:

  • Do not deny anything, denial is the worst practice for improv games. You always have to agree with a statement. Moreover, for good improv, you play the game along the lines of YES, AND…
  • Never ask questions with an open end;
  • Always make a statement;
  • Improv games and exercises’ results do not necessarily have to be funny. There are big differences between improv and stand-up comedy, so you should know which is which. If the material in stand-up should be funny, in improv it is not a rule to make people laugh, although we are all used to the comedic takes of improv shows.
  • Mind the partners you wok with in improv, as if you make them look good, you will look good as well;
  • Always tell a story, no matter how short or absurd;
  • It is alright to make mistakes.

Improv Games: Share Your Story!

Have you ever played improv games for kids with your children at home? How about short improv games with your friends who come over in weekends? Do you prefer improv games for team building sessions with your employees an colleagues? Tell us if you ever engaged in such fun activity and how it worked! We’d love to hear from your experiences and examples of fun improv games anyone can play!

Featured Image via Pixabay

41 Fun Youth Group Icebreakers

/3 Comments/in , /by

Do you run a youth group? In need of some youth group icebreakers to get meetings off to the right start? Oftentimes, a youth group brings together young people from different parts of the community who don’t know each other. Many church leaders who work with youth choose to start a service with an “icebreaker.”

These can be questions, get-to-know-you activities, or even just silly games. However, youth group icebreakers should always come with a purpose. Even the most absurd of games can lend to the theme of a message of that day. They also have the added benefit of expelling some of the energy that would later lead to distractions during the service. Enjoy these fun activities with your youth group!

Youth Group Icebreaker Name Games

Sometimes when a lot of new kids have begin attending service, it is good to welcome them to the group with a name game. Getting everyone familiar with each other, and starting with the basics of knowing names, is crucial to good teamwork.

Whomp Em

Whomp Em is a fun circle game. Have everyone stand in a circle. One player is chosen to stand in the middle with a pillow. The player in the middle can only get out by hitting someone in the knees with the pillow. Then they say their name and someone else’s name in the circle. This game is great at relieving excess energy and can go on for a while without getting old. Make sure you set the rule that no one can say the same name twice.

Bumpity Bump Bump Bump

Just like Whomp’ Em, in this game, everyone but one stands in a circle. The person in the middle says the name of someone in the circle followed by “Bumpity bump bump bump.” The person whose name has been called must say the names of the people on either side of them. Pick a random word (spaghetti, ribbit, etc.) that either a facilitator or the person in the middle can shout out at any moment forcing everyone to move elsewhere on the circle and learn new names.

Getting to Know Each Other Youth Group Icebreakers

Even the most close-knit of youth groups will face the drama that comes with being a young person. Playing get-to-know-you games can help the kids in your youth group to identify their similarities and differences. This is critical in teaching them how to work together.

Speed Friending

Speed Friending is much like speed dating, but without the extra awkwardness! Set up several small tables with two chairs at each one. Players get a set amount of time to talk to each other before the facilitator blows the whistle and they must move on. The time should vary with the age group. 7 minutes is perfect for high school students. Be sure to provide some topics for discussion on the table. This avoids situations where the pairs feel under pressure about coming up with original topics.

Question Web

Provide a list of questions (like “Where in the world would you most like to travel?” or “What three books would you want to have on a desert island?”) that everyone can see. There should be at least one question for each player. Have players sit on the floor, with one having a ball of twine or yarn. Have that player answer a question from the list. Then have them look at another player, call their name, and throw the ball of yarn at them while holding on to an end of the yarn. By the end, everyone will know a little more about the others in the group. You will have formed a “friendship web” in the meantime, which makes for great social media picture posts to remember good youth group icebreakers.

If

Provide notecards and pens for everyone in the group, then have them write down one or two “If” questions. Examples could include: “If your house was on fire and you could only save one possession, which would it be?” “If you had to save ten animals for Noah’s Ark, which ones would you save?” Shuffle the notecards while scanning for naughty questions to censor, then set them in a pile in the middle of the circle. Have everyone pick a random question from the pile to answer. One way to keep this more engaging is to have one person pull a question and then ask anyone else in the circle that question.

Name that Person

Divide the group into two teams. Have everyone write down five things that few people know about them, in order of difficulty. Gather the cards, keeping them separated by teams. The other team gets to guess who it is, receiving five points if the first guess is right and one point less for each clue after that. The team with the most points at the end wins. This game can be a great youth ice breaker in talking about how no one really knows a person truly besides themselves and God.

Flags

Provide the group with paper, paints, markers, and other craft supplies. Have each person design a flag that represents them. At the end, have everyone share their flags with the group. Each person should take turns discussing why they chose the symbols on their flags. This is one of several youth group icebreakers on this list that’s better for younger aged groups. While children might not be as educated when it comes to symbolism, symbols, and their meaning, they can indeed find their own definition. And it’s interesting to see how they’re capable of expressing it and what things they associated with certain symbols. That way, you might even determine how a child will end up growing when they become an adult.

Line Up

This game is best with a large group. Tell the group that, without speaking, they have to line up in order of height. Once this is done, try lining up alphabetically by first name, last name, or even birthdate. The group will have fun figuring out how to communicate with gestures. To keep the pace up and the laughs flowing, play some music, and put them on a timer. With the right adult guidance, this game can become plenty of fun and it forces the children to get creative so that they can share their message with others without using any words whatsoever.

Sit Down If

This game is great if you need to keep your audience in a seated formation. Have everyone stand up. Then proceed with statements that start with “Sit down if. . . ” The statements can get pretty silly, such as “Sit down if you’ve ever eaten a bug.” The last person standing gets some sort of prize or designation. You can also make up extra rules such as letting kids sit down and lose only after three things that they have done so that the game can last even longer and the kids can learn even more about each other.

Seven Word Biographies

Explain to the group that they must sum up their entire life in seven words. For example, “Born. Boring career. Found God. Changed Forever.” Many ice breakers ask for opinions, but few ask about a person’s entire life. This is great for the group to get to know each other, but also for the leaders to better understand where the members of their group are coming from. This is also a good opportunity for you to quickly identify any major concerns or problems with your kids.

Image via Unsplash

Shuffle on Over

Have the group stand in a circle, and then place their shoes in front of them. One pair of shoes is removed, making one less spot than there are players. One player stands in the middle and says, “Shuffle on over if. . .”, ending the statement with something that applies to them. Everyone who agrees with the statement must run to a new spot. It’s important that you tell them they’re not allowed to the next spot over from them. Whoever is left without a spot is the next person to say “shuffle on over. . .”. As a group, come up with a funny catchphrase to say to make everyone run around!

Concentric Circles

This game is great for large groups. Form two circles, one within the other, of equal size. Players across from each other are partners. A leader asks a question such as, “which activities are you involved with at school?” The partners give each other the answer to that question. Then the leader says, “Switch!” The outer circle revolves one spot, giving everyone a new partner. A new question is asked, and the game continues until everyone has spoken to each person in the other circle.

Toaster

The group sits on the floor in a circle. A toaster is in the middle, along with a facilitator, bread, and several toppings. Make the toppings as unique as possible. Start with sweets, but also include random things like really spice sauce. Why not add some marmite too to keep things interesting? Everyone takes turns sharing interesting facts about themselves. The goofier, the better! Whoever is talking when the toast pops up must eat the toast with one of the toppings. With each piece of toast, the toppings will get stranger and players will state facts more quickly to avoid them! Be absolutely sure to check for food allergies before playing this game. Your youth group icebreakers should never end in hospitalizations!

Entertaining Youth Group Icebreakers.

Before a more serious service, it can be good to play something lighthearted. More silly youth group icebreakers can help everyone feel more comfortable around each other and keep them coming back each week.

Chomp

Have everyone sitting or standing in a circle. In the middle of the circle, place three articles of clothing, such as a large sweater, a scarf, and a hat. Also add in some delicious but difficult to chew food, such as marshmallows or chocolate. Taffies are also a great choice. One player receives two dice. When he or she rolls doubles, they will pass the die and run to the middle of the circle. Next they quickly throw on the clothes there and attempt to eat as much food as possible. You can make this game even more difficult by making players pick up the food with a fork or chopsticks. The only goal of the game is to eat some of the food before it is all gone!

Ping Pong Ball Messages

Write the letters to a message on ping pong balls, and place them in a bucket. The bucket can be filled with water or slime, depending on how gross you want to make it. Pudding and green food dye is a good way to keep things marginally gross. To make the process go faster, also include blank ping pong balls for the spaces in between words. If you have a larger group, have the same message in several buckets, and have the team that unscrambles the message the fastest win! This is a great way to introduce the verse of the day.

Octopus Tag

Have everyone form a pair that links elbows. One pair is “it” and has to chase after all the other pairs. When they catch another pair, the pairs link elbows, forming a group of four. They must stay together for a tag to count, and only the people on the end can tag. The winners are the pair of people who are still free! This is a fun youth group icebreaker for keeping everyone active while also building teamwork. As you can imagine, this game is ideal when you’re dealing with a very large number of people. We recommend playing it outdoors for the best possible experience. If you’re going to play it inside, you’re going to have a bad time trying to dodge all indoor obstacles and being constrained by walls.

French Charades

This game is a mix of Telephones and Charades. There are two teams, with each person on each team numbered. The first person on each team goes outside of the room to hear a situation that they must act out without words. Biblical stories are, of course, great to incorporate into this game to keep things relevant. The second person on the team goes outside of the room to see the first person act out the situation. Then the third person watches the second person act, and so on. It goes down the line and the team that is closest to guessing the actual story at the end is the winner.

Best Meme Contest

Bring funny pictures of the youth group leaders along with any submissions from your group members. Have the players look at the picture and then write a clever meme for each one. They can work independently, but this is more fun as a team or pair activity. Establish a point system for first, second, and third funniest memes. Bonus points for humorous and appropriate biblical references. The player or team with the most points at the end wins!

Sock Wars

Everyone takes their shoes off and leaves them to the side. Now players must crawl around, trying to pull off other people’s socks. The last person to still have one or both socks on wins! Ideally, you’d best warn people before partaking in this game to avoid embarrassing moments, such as discovering that one of the youths has dirty or torn up socks. For youngsters, such a moment can feel humiliating and it can ruin their entire mood.

Church Scavenger Hunt

A church scavenger hunt requires a lot of advanced planning, but it’s great for having kids who only come to church on Wednesdays get to know the place better. You can also put secret messages related to biblical stories or prizes in different fixed locations.

Image via Unsplash

Clothespin Mixer

Each player attaches five clothespins to their sleeves. The goal is to get their clothespins off of their sleeves and onto someone else’s by the end of the time. If this game is played at a lock-in or other more laid-back event, it’s a great way to keep an on-going source of competition. Make sure you color code the clothespins so that you can figure out where each one came from.

Encore

Break everyone out into even groups. The facilitator yells out words that are frequently featured in popular songs. Groups win a round by singing a song with that word in unison. This game is sure to be popular with anyone who has watched Pitch Perfect! If your organization does lots of songs, then this is a great youth group icebreaker for new members not comfortable singing yet.

Act & React

Players pick a scenario from a hat and the player must act out the emotions from that event. For example, someone who picked “about to get married” might act fluttery and nervous. Other players guess what is happening. To make the game even harder, make the rule that the actor can’t talk.

Birdie on a Perch

Everyone pairs up and decides who will be a birdie and who will be a perch. Then form concentric circles, with the birdies on the outside and the perches on the inside. Have the birdies walk clockwise and the perches counter-clockwise to music. When the music stops birdies must run to their perch (their partner’s knee). The last pair to find each other is out. The winners are the pair that find each other first in the last round.

Cinderella’s Shoe

In this game, partners sit next to each other in a circle. One partner is blindfolded. The partner who is not blindfolded must throw their shoe in the middle of the circle. The blindfolded partner must go to the middle of the circle to receive the shoe with only their partner’s voice to guide them. This is a great partner activity to get group members familiar with and trusting of each other.

Image via Freepik

Mummy

Have out several rolls of toilet paper and a few people who volunteer to be mummified. Form equal teams around each mummy. The first team to completely wrap their mummies with toilet paper wins! Be sure to take some pictures. You can turn this into a game of tag afterwards to increase the scare factor.

Freeze Dance

An oldie but a goodie. Play some funky music and have everyone dance. When the music stops, the players must too. Anyone caught moving with no music playing is out! If you have a lot of new members, add a rule that the person who it out has to share a story or fact about themselves.

Strange Disease Diagnosis

A player who has volunteered to be a doctor leaves the room while the patients decide what cooky disease they have. Explain that it should be fictitious. Something like thinking they are goats or being allergic to air. Bring the doctor back in and let the insanity ensue!

Weird Talent Show

This is a great game to bring people up to the front. Host a talent show for people with weird talents or attributes. This a chance for youth group members with extremely long fingers or an ability to burp the alphabet to finally be in the spotlight.

Zoom-In Game

Here is a short game to bring attention to the front of the room. Project an image of a zoomed-in object. Have everyone guess what it is and throw prizes to whoever guesses right first.

Image via Freepik

Barnyard

Everyone is blindfolded and assigned to an animal. They have to make that animal’s sound and group themselves with other people around them who are the same animal. This is a fun game that is sure to bring laughs. Have people take their shoes off first to avoid injuries. Clear any chairs and desks to the sides of the room so everyone has space to move around.

Screamer

Everyone sits in a circle, looking at the ground. On “Heads Up,” they must look up into someone’s eyes. If two people are staring at each other, they must both scream and get out of the circle. Sure, it sounds stupid on paper, but it gets really fun when you’re with a large group of youths. So don’t be pessimistic and try it out. You’ll most likely have the time of your life.

Killer Wink

In this game, one of the players is selected to be the murderer. Do so in such a way that players cannot tell who is chosen, perhaps by handing out slips of paper, one indicating that the player is a murderer. Players can either form a circle or just mingle about. Any player who is winked at by the murderer must wait five seconds and then die a fantastic theatrical death. A Player who thinks they know the murderer can raise their hand and say, “I accuse.” They ask for someone to second them without either naming who they will accuse. Then both accusers count to three and point to who they would like to accuse. If the two point to different people or both accuse an innocent person, both accusers die. Two accusers must point to the killer for the killing spree to end.

Outdoor Youth Group Icebreakers

If your church has an outdoor space, make the most of it! Outdoor games are great for expelling excess energy, and you will notice the improvement in behavior during the service!

Ultimate Frisbee

Ultimate Frisbee is a great outdoor game, even for kids somewhat intimidated by sports. It’s non-contact sport with pretty simple and straightforward rules. To start, a team is chosen to pass the frisbee to the other side. The holder of the frisbee cannot take a step, although they can pivot. Points are only scored when a player passes a frisbee to a teammate in the end zone. Vary how many points are needed to win by how much time you have.

Big Bad Wolf

Have one player volunteer to be the wolf. The wolf stands apart from the other players (“the sheep”). On go, the wolf runs and tags as many players as possible before they cross an established safe line. Players who are tagged help the wolf tag more sheep in the next round. The winner is the last sheep left whom the wolves haven’t tagged.

Constant Contact

This game is great for smaller groups or for large groups broken up into teams. Have everyone on a team in a line with their feet touching. The goal is to cross a finish line. The catch is they can’t move forward unless everyone’s feet are connected to the group. A third party watches and blows a whistle when anyone has broken contact. At this point, the entire group must go back to the starting line and start over again.

Image via Unsplash

Ostrich Tag

Choose 1-2 hunters (depending on the size of the group) to try to tag the rest of the group (the ostriches). When an ostrich senses a hunter nearby, he must stick his head into the snow and thus avoid getting captured (or maybe just the top of his snow cap, depending on the weather). Make sure that it is a warmer day and the snow is soft.

Lawn Twister

Play a giant game of twister! All you need are stencils, spray paint, and a lawn. This is a great summer game—just make sure everyone is dressed modestly.

Frozen T-shirt Game

Play this game on a hot summer day! Soak a t-shirt for each contestant in water and freeze it overnight. Each contestant receives a bag with a frozen t-shirt. Whoever can get the shirt on the fastest is the winner. We recommend taking precautions, however, so that the kids don’t get a cold or pneumonia from such a game. Have heaters handy if necessary and ask beforehand if any of the kids are especially sensitive towards cold.

Giants, Wizards, Elves

Essentially a giant game of Rock Paper Scissors, this game is a riot to play. Divide the group into two equal teams. Instead of rock, paper, or scissors, a team can choose to be giants, wizards, or elves. Giants stand on the toes and roar, wizards cast a spell and say “shazam,” and elves cup their hands over their ears and say “EEE!” Giants beat elves by crushing them, elves beat wizards by outsmarting them, and wizards beat giants by casting a spell on them. Before a round, teams huddle and choose a creature. Then the troops gather across from each other. The team that chooses the winning creature runs and tags as many of the other team as they can. Tagged people join the other team. The team that captures everyone is the winner!

Everybody’s It

In this version of Tag, everyone tries to tag everyone else. Everyone who is tagged must sit down, and the last person standing is the winner. It can go by fast, so it can be fun to hold several rounds.

There you have it, 41 Youth Group Icebreakers that are sure to keep everyone moving and having fun. Check out our extensive list of icebreaker questions for more tips on keeping things upbeat. Remember, safety first, but fun in close second. Amend any one of these games to include biblical and other learning references as you wish.

What is your favorite game from this list? Have you had fun with other youth group icebreakers? Please let us know in the comments section!

Featured Image via Freepik

17 Great Indoor Team Building Games

/3 Comments/in , /by

There is nothing more important than a group of people having the ability to work together as a team. That’s why every office should have some fun indoor team building games to get everyone active and working together. It’s not always easy to get people working in a collaborative mindset.

Furthermore, most offices don’t have a ton of outdoor green space readily available. That’s why indoor team building games are an essential part of your working environment. And it’s not too late to get started!

Outdoor and indoor team building games really help to promote and foster relationships. This is especially crucial where individuals need to trust one another and work together in a positive and productive manner. There are fun team building games for kids and team building games for adults. The common goal of both is to have fun and promote teamwork.

Indoor team building games help ease tension and promote a good relationship between employees or children. They can also help develop problem-solving skills, foster creative thinking, and build better communication between team members. There are many options for great indoor team building games and exercises. Below, we have compiled 17 of the best indoor team building games out there.

You can see the step-by-step instructions for these fun games and group activities below. We’re sure you’ll have a good time playing these team building games. Are any great indoor team building games missing from this list? Please add your ideas to the comments at the bottom. You can always adapt games from our ultimate activities list into indoor fun.

1.) 3 Truths and a Lie

In this fun, getting-to-know-you team building activity, each person gets a chance to present themselves to the rest of the group. They will offer four personal statements to everyone, three of which are true and one which is false. The truths may be as fun and creative as you would like, or as simple as you may choose.

The lie must not be so far-fetched that it is completely unbelievable (i.e., “I swam the English Channel with my arms tied behind my back and a shark chasing me.”). Everyone should discuss what they believe are the truths and which is the lie. After they come to a united decision, the speaker will reveal if they are correct or not. 

This is a great team building game to help everyone become acquainted with one another. It also helps the quieter people of the group who may more easily remain silent, if allowed, to break out and get to be known by others. In addition, it allows the participants to learn a bit about themselves as well as others based on the lies they believed to be true.

To make this indoor team building game challenging, 3 truths and a lie is a great opportunity to present one’s most outlandish truths. This will make guessing the lie all that harder. If you’ve ever eaten a bizarre food or traveled to a remote location no one else in the office knows about, now is your time to share!

Just one thing: try to analyze the people you’re playing with. Know what their limits are. Some people might be disgusted with certain activities that you might’ve partaken in in the past, so be careful what you are willing to confess and what you are willing to make up for your story.

2.) Scavenger Hunt

An oldie but a goodie in the world of indoor team building games, scavenger hunts are gold for creativity and fun. You likely remember doing some sort of scavenger hunt game during your childhood. Small groups should be made to create teams that work together with the common goal of finding the objects or answers needed from their scavenger hunt list.

The answers or items being sought out should all be work or event-related, or at least serve to educate in some way. A time limit should be given for the groups to find as many objects and answers as they possibly can. Some will be quite easy, but others will really require them to work together as they will be a bit more difficult.

This indoor team building game promotes united teamwork. When the game is done, everyone will have been reminded of different work/event procedures and policies. Those policies will have been incorporated in their lists for answers or items to find. If it’s a nice day and you have outdoor space, by all means venture outside.

But, a scavenger hunt can also be a great way for new employees to get to know the office that they’ll be working in. To organize a successful scavenger hunt, you needn’t use any space beyond the working environment on hand. Good treats or prizes for the winning team are certainly encouraged. Check out more ideas for how to make the perfect scavenger hunt here.

3.) Hello My Name Is

Write adjectives describing someone’s mood or personality (i.e., happy, grouchy, negative, prankster) on name tag stickers. Be sure there are enough so that each person can have one. Then randomly hand them out or let each person draw one from a hat. Each person must then put the sticker with their assigned adjective on to their shirt and wear it. Then they need to behave as their assigned adjective during all interactions for a certain amount of time.

This is a great activity that shows each person that when we define them by a feeling – “Boy, you’re really grumpy today!” – it can actually lead us to take on that persona, whether we were feeling that way or not. This, of course, can be a good thing or a bad thing. Acting happy can, in fact, make you feel happy! This shows how behavior and actions can actually define our feelings, not the other way around. This is also one of those fun indoor team building games that lets employees showcase their acting and improv skills.

It can be really fun especially if you’re in a theater group. Or, if you think about it, it can be fun with just about anyone who’s willing to get creative for a bit. In any case, be nice to your colleagues and try to get them to act as a positive feeling instead of a negative one. That way you’ll all have fun and no one will be left feeling miserable after a few rounds.

4.) Big Foot

This is a fun, albeit tricky game in which everyone must stand up in a single file line. All the players are then blindfolded so that they cannot see. They are then instructed to put themselves in line in order of smallest foot to biggest foot. Caveat: they cannot ask or state anyone’s shoe size.

This is a great team building game that demands teamwork to communicate efficiently in order to get into line properly without the use of sight or verbalizing the most basic and obvious of information: shoe size. As far as the danger level of indoor team building games, Big Foot carries some risk of injury. To reduce shin kicks, consider having everyone play in socks.

You can also rent Big Foot Racing Feet and other accessories that can make the game even more challenging and enjoyable at the same time. As long as you’re careful, you should have loads of fun with this game.

5.) See What I Mean?

In this challenging indoor team building game, one person draws a picture using only basic shapes. A volunteer then describes the picture drawn to everyone else. Without seeing the picture, each person must try to reproduce the picture based solely on what the volunteer is relaying to them. The ultimate goal is for them to be able to create the same picture.

In this game, it is unlikely that anyone in the group will reproduce a carbon copy. Some pictures will be more similar than others. This activity emphasizes how very important verbal communication is, and also how it can be vastly interpreted by different people. To really drive the point home you could do a few rounds of this game. This would exhibit how some people interpret directions and communication differently from others. It also shows how certain methods are more easily understood than others.

It’s a great game to get to know people and start to understand how they think. Humans are very different and knowing how they make connections between things, how they interpret certain sayings, or even their tone of voice when talking about some subject matters can significantly improve your relationship with them. How so? Because once you start understanding your colleague’s thought pattern, you’ll inevitably be able to better communicate your ideas and thus collaborate more efficiently.

6.) Zombie Escape

In this thrilling indoor team building game, everyone will be “locked” in a room with a “zombie.” One person will be the zombie, complete with outstretched arms and zombie noises, and they will be tied to a rope in the corner. Every five minutes, the zombie will be given an extra foot of leeway on the rope, eventually being close enough to “eat” the other players.

Before the zombie gets that far, however, the group will have a series of puzzles, riddles, or clues they must complete in order to find the key and escape the room intact. This game can be made to be very similar to the “Escape the Room” puzzle houses.

This activity fosters collaborative teamwork and creative problem-solving skills under pressure.  Everyone must work together to figure out the clues in a high-stress situation in order to get out. This also helps to show which individuals have a more difficult time in stressful situations, useful for considering future assignments. By contrast, this game will reveal which people rise to the occasion under pressure and helps to bring out real team leaders.

7.) What’s My Name?

Write the name of a famous present or past figures on a name tag. You could also include types of people or jobs such as a nurse, geek, blind, homeless person, etc. Place the name tags on the backs of each person in the room so that they cannot see the name tag, but everyone else in the room can.

The group then may socialize with one another for a set amount of time. Throughout the game, they should be asking questions in order to try and figure out who they are. Others will treat them in stereotypical ways based on who their label says they are. Each person can use the answers to their questions, as well as their treatment, to ascertain who they are. Once they have correctly identified their label, they may leave the game until everyone has finished.

This is a really great ice-breaker amongst our list of indoor team building games. “What’s My Name” allows each person to confront stereotypes in the questions used and the answers are given. Additionally, it raises awareness as to how they treat others and others treat them based solely on their label. It permits each person to get a better idea of how we erroneously perceive people. The game also gives us insights into how it feels to be so narrowly characterized by a simple label.

8.) Get to Know Me!

In this activity, request everyone to pair off into twos with people they were not sitting near and/or do not know well. The pairs will then ask one another three questions: 1.) Name something that you are very proud of in your work and/or personal life. 2.) Tell something about yourself that very few people know about. 3.) The interviewer’s choice: any question can be asked. Afterward, each person will share with the large group what they learned about their partner.

This is a fun and effective way to get to better know your colleagues, especially those with whom you may not interact often. For a more active indoor team building game variety, have the pairs throw a basketball back and forth throughout questions. Or even a tennis ball works if your teammates and “rivals” are good at catching smaller objects in the air. Just be careful not to hit stuff, especially if your team building activity takes place inside a hotel room. Those things can get quite expensive and your boss won’t be happy about it.

9.) Kid’s Stuff

For this creative challenge, you will all work together to create a board game based on the work of your business or event conducts. Use basic and limited supplies, such as poster boards and markers. Have everyone work together using their imaginations to create a fun and interactive game.

The game may include questions focused on the business that must be answered at certain game spots. Also, incorporate rules that show the ways to earn/lose points or move forward/ backward. Perhaps a dice will move you forward? The sky’s truly the limit with this indoor team building game.

This exercise will force each person to work collaboratively and give their input in order to create a board game that is fun for everyone. And just like any product testing in the office, be sure to play the board game afterward!

10.) Spider Web

In Spider Web, have the group form a large circle. The group may be standing or sitting, it doesn’t necessarily matter. However, if it is a very large group, you may prefer to sit. One person will hold a large ball of twine and then tell the group an embarrassing story about themselves. Afterward, they will then hold onto the end of the twine and throw it to someone else in the circle, extending the twine from themselves to the next person.

That person will then also tell an embarrassing story about himself or herself and throw the twine onward. All the while, each successive thrower has to keep a hold of it as well. This will continue until the twine has been passed to each person. Throughout the game, every person should have the opportunity to humor the group with an embarrassing personal story. The end result will produce a “spider web” out of the twine, connecting everyone to each other.

This indoor team building game shows how each person, no matter how different, is connected to one another. It also allows each person to see how everyone may have vastly different experiences. However, they all experience the same emotions and feelings, particularly embarrassment. Though you may be very different people, you are also more alike and connected than you realize.

11.) Group Timeline

Create a large timeline on a whiteboard, bulletin board, or whatever other means you may prefer. Mark the very beginning of the timeline back to when the oldest participant in the group was born. Alternatively, you could start with when the business or event was first founded, whichever occurred first. Then mark off any major milestones for the business or event. For example, you could include “Name Changed”, “Merged”, “Celebrated 50 years,” etc.

Next, allow each person in the group to mark four important moments for them on the timeline. It may be personal, business/event-related, or both. It is completely up to them how much or how little they share. As the team manager or CEO, it is largely up to you or the activity leader to set the standard.

When the timeline is completed, it will show a visual representation of your whole team and their generational experiences. This allows for dialogue on generational and cultural differences and how they affect work and communication. This indoor team building game provides an opportunity for discussion about general differences and similarities. Ideally, this activity will build empathy in your team and make everyone see each other without judgment.

12.) Plane Crash

In this team building activity, you will imagine that your group was in a plane crash and are now stranded on a deserted island. This can be done as one large group or you can break off into smaller groups. The group must then choose 12 items that can be found in the building that they believe to be the most useful for their survival on their deserted island, and rank them in order of most importance to least.

This focuses on teamwork and collaboration, as well as creative problem solving and thinking outside of the box. They may very likely have to make do with items they would not pick if not so limited, so creativity is rewarded.

13.) Watch Where You Step

Make a polygonal shape on the floor using masking tape that is at least 12 feet by 6 feet. Make the outline of the shape a tad complicated. For example, select a shape that is stretched out as people will be making their way from one end to the other. Be sure there are starting and stopping points marked. Put a handful of squeaky dog toys inside of the taped shape, and at least double the number of sheets of paper, each with a huge X on them, inside of the shape. The papers are mines.

In groups of two, each person will be blindfolded and must make it from start to finish through the minefield. The only direction is from the verbal instructions coming from those who are outside of the shape and not blindfolded.

The blindfolded participants may not step outside of the shape enclosure, nor may they step on a mine. If they do, they are frozen until someone else steps on a squeaky toy in order to unfreeze them. This occurs until the entire group has had a turn to make it successfully through the minefield.

This team building exercise works on communication and teamwork. It also builds up clear diction and the ability to be vigilant with numerous actions at once.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=er92AWG3Ho4/

14.) Use What You Have

In this fun game, split your group into two equal groups. Or if needed, several equal groups. Give them clear instructions for a goal in which they must create something. As to what that something is, that’s completely up to you. It may be that they must create a way to move a marble from point A to point B without the use of electricity or rubber bands. It can really be anything. Each group has the same goal and the same restrictions.

The teams are then given a specific amount of time to work and complete the mission with a particular set of supplies. They are not allowed to use any other materials, but how they use the supplies available is entirely up to them. The big reveal at the end is an exciting event and allows for friendly competition.

This activity requires teamwork in creative problem solving with limited options. It allows for the groups to see how each person thinks and works abstractly and in a time-crunch.

15.) Find the Common Thread

Divide everyone into groups of three or more. They will talk and get to know one another long enough to find a common thread amongst them. For example, they might all love zombie movies or they’re huge football fans. They will then write a list of common stereotypes attributed to people who tend to enjoy those sorts of things.

The groups will then come together and proclaim who they are as a group. For the rest of the day, each group will behave as their stereotype. Perhaps the zombie lovers will be overheard making zombie apocalyptic plans or acting like zombies. Football aficionados may randomly cheer for their team. At the end of the day, discuss stereotypes and how they often limit how we view people and their abilities. Also, discuss how each group came about discovering their common thread.

The purpose of this indoor team building game is to help everyone see how silly and limiting stereotypes are. It also shows how if people truly behaved the way we often write them off to act, things would be vastly different. It also shows how a group of seemingly very different people can have great commonalities that bring them together.

16.) Someone You Admire

This indoor team building game is as straightforward as the name. Each person will take a turn stating someone whom they admire. It may be a current person or someone from history. You could also spice it up a bit and make it someone within the group. Each person must also talk about why they admire that person. Specifically, what traits, attributes, and/or accomplishments make that person worthy of admiration should be discussed. 

This exercise really helps everyone get to know one another better and have a stronger sense of each other’s values and what attributes they find to be important. It also can help bring people closer together as they realize they respect and admire the same people.

17.) Classify This

Collect at least 20 different items and set them on a table. The broader the category, the better (i.e., jewelry, office supplies, etc.). You want for these items, at first glimpse, to have no obvious connection to each other.

Then break everyone into equal teams, armed with a pen and paper. They must then classify the objects into four groups. They may do this, however, they choose, working together, not allowing other groups to hear. Once all the groups are finished they will each get a turn explaining how they opted to group the items.

Each group may have vastly different conclusions, grouping by size, material, color, etc.This activity encourages teamwork and creative thinking. It forces them to think outside the box and rethink everyday objects and problems and find connections to things that they would typically view as entirely unrelated.

And there you have it, 17 indoor team building games! Make sure you check out our other icebreaker games as well.

20 Christian Icebreakers for Small and Big Groups of All Ages

/1 Comment/in , /by

Pastors, Christian youth groups, and women’s and men’s fellowship leaders at one time or another need quick ideas or activities to provide a little relaxation, inspiration, and stimulation for their members or group participants. For this reason, Christian icebreakers prove useful, no matter you want to accommodate small or large groups of teens or adults.

We have talked about icebreaker games many times before, mostly because they make an excellent method to spark up conversations and build interpersonal relationships. Before we begin, we recommend you check out our guide on the best youth group icebreakers for examples and inspiration. You can adapt many of them into Christian youth icebreakers and turn any meeting into a success.

As we all know, icebreakers are one way to get the talks flowing no matter the makeup of the group or the topics to be studied or covered. There are a number of Christian-oriented icebreakers for you to use at church, workshops, or meetings that you can use with almost any age group. See below our collection of 15 Christian icebreakers suggested today.

15 Christian Icebreakers for Small or Big Groups of Any Age

1. What Makes Me Blessed?

In order to put group participants at ease and to help them get acquainted with others in the group, particularly with those who may only know one another casually, good Christian icebreakers initially involve getting to know others and creating a level of comfort for whatever the group is going to be discussing or the time allotted.

One of several ways way to do that is to ask everyone in the group what makes them blessed? Ask them to write out the first letters of their name on a colorful piece of paper or on a white erase board. If need be, let each person pair off with another in the group so they can strategize for words with their names that equate with being blessed, such as the name Joan = joyful, Fred = fortunate, Aaron = anointed.

You can use and adapt the same idea focusing on how the letters of a given name describe the person personally. Tom = Talkative, Objective, and Motivated. Provide dictionaries and thesauruses for extra word help.

One more twist on this icebreaker is asking group members whether their first or middle names have major significance in any way such as whether their first or middle name was taken from another family name or a family tradition of assigning and carrying on names. We also recommend you to check out our guide on icebreaker games for high school students. For instance, you can start with the Crossword Names game and spin it so that it works great for the “What Makes Me Blessed” game as well.

2. The God Question

Asking God questions is another good approach to easing awkwardness in a group setting as everyone wants answers to questions that remain unanswered, particularly in the most blatant of circumstances and situations. This activity could be done individually, with a partner, or as a group with everyone providing an answer and an appointed person writing out the questions on a white erase or chalkboard with discussions that follow.

This icebreaker works excellently with teens – as young peoples’ innocent yet profound questions might surprise even the most seasoned of pastors or facilitators. On the other hand, it works especially well with adults, whose questions could spark not only the conversation per se but also constructive debates.

When it comes to getting your inspiration to build interesting Christian icebreakers for adults, we recommend you to take a look at our guide on icebreaker games for adults. For instance, as a facilitator, you could start with a spin on the game “All My Neighbors” and give it a Christian connotation. The game helps the group understand better the values and world views of the other participants in a fun, relaxed way.

3. The Lottery

Winning the lottery and what a person would do with the winnings seems to be a universal kind of icebreaker. The question could be administered individually or done on a group basis with everyone providing answers as to what a person would, should, or could do with a major win. A second part of the question could include whether a winner should tithe (10%) of the winnings to a Christian organization?

4. Bible Character and Scripture Matching

Christian icebreakers usually involve activities affiliated with the Bible and scriptures, and one idea that is always enjoyable to use with members of younger groups is identifying bible characters through specific scriptures and actual character cutouts. It is also one of the best Christian icebreakers for kids, as the little ones are familiar since the earliest ages with iconic Biblical figures.

Biblical characters, such as Moses holding the Ten Commandments, can be placed on a magnetic board and a scripture attributed to them matched with the character. Ask group members to identify the character and put the right figure with the quoted scripture. Mix and match a number of characters and scriptures to make the activity varied and fun. For example, take the scripture from Exodus 9:1 “Go in to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, “Let my people go, that they may serve me.” In this case, the character being instructed is Moses.

Another take off on scripture matching is to provide more prominent scripture passages with a significant word or words left out one within the scripture. Ask group members to fill in and provide the missing word. This activity can be accomplished more quickly in pairs using a white erase board and access to scriptures with a matching word list for access with the appropriate fill in words.

The main takeaway here is that you can adjust the difficulty of this Christian icebreaker to the age group that you work with, its size, and its Biblical studies levels of knowledge.

5. Miraculous Happenings

If you could be part of any miraculous or other happening recorded in Christian history, what would it be and why? For example, how would you feel if you were in Bethlehem at the time of the birth of Jesus, or in the midst of the parting of the Red Sea or amongst those who were miraculously healed at the Grotto in Lourdes, France in the 19th Century and beyond? As Christian icebreakers for kids, teens, or adults go, this game is a fantastic way to verify your group’s knowledge, boost their imagination, and allow each member to express their deepest thoughts and feelings towards some of the most crucial Biblical events.

6. God Thoughts

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of God? This could be another activity where everyone participates on both an individual and group basis with either writing out the answer on a separate sheet of paper or on a white erase or chalkboard with answers being given in a spontaneous fashion. A twist with this activity would be what was your first thought of God as a child?

7. Greatest Christians (Past and Present)

Who do you think were some of the greatest Christians alive today or from the past? With this question, the answers can span from the time of the New Testament to the 21st Century. Examples could include great pastors, prophets, theologians, saints, etc. For example, Billy Graham, Mother Teresa, and Norman Vincent Peale. Try to come up with at least ten (10) individuals from the past and present that have had major influences on Christianity and all of its branches. You could research some well-known Christian personalities from other lesser-known countries, such as the ones from Eastern Europe. There are many regions on this globe where Christianity is taken seriously and where you can find a lot of inspirational figures.

8. Me, Myself and I

In looking at yourself in general, what are three things you really like about yourself? Another twist on this same topic could include what would you change about yourself that would help you become a better Christian? This isn’t just a fun icebreaker, but also a great exercise in strengthening your faith, solidifying your beliefs, and turning yourself into a better person. You could also try to do it alone at home when you feel like it so that you can try and be more sincere with yourself than you would normally tend to be surrounded by many people (and especially by people you barely even know).

9. Testimony

What event, occurrence, or circumstance in your life led you to become a Christian? Was there a major turning point that led to acceptance? This could be either an individual or group activity that would help to put others at ease and to compare answers that might be similar in nature. Not only that, but you can make the game about anything that might have to do with your faith one way or another. Try, for example, thinking about a job that was described in the Bible, such as carpentry. How did working as a carpenter lead you to Christianity? See what we mean? You can ask yourself multiple such questions if you’re feeling creative enough.

10. What’s My Line

The old television program from the 50’s and late ’60s provides interesting input for Christian icebreakers. Everyone in the group should jot down three different things about themselves and their line of work or vocation that is unknown to the others in the group. At least two of the items are true and one is not. Each group member presents their facts to the group and then everyone takes a vote as to which item about the person is not true. This activity can have surprising turnarounds as well as help others to get to know one another. It can be done with an erase board approach or with individual note cards or colored paper.

This activity is a variation of the game “Tow Truths and a Lie” and works very well with small and medium groups of adults. As Christian icebreakers go, you can adapt it so that people say two true things about their beliefs or spiritual life and one lie. While it is a fun game, it can also open the door for more profound discussions about shared life experiences, concerns, and ideas.

11. Christian Books & Movies

What Christian book or movie that you read or viewed recently, or in the past, would you recommend to others in the group that best represents Christian life today and true biblical history? Let the whole group brainstorm and come up with the top five books and movies that have had a major impact on Christians and others. Then, discuss those works, debate, and compare notes. It is a great way to encourage people to share opinions and different, maybe divergent points of view. Moreover, finding other people who share common interests is great for each group member. Who knows, maybe some people in the group start a book or movie club, strengthen friendships, and make new acquaintances.

12. Biblical Person Encounter

If you were able to visit heaven, what biblical person would you talk to besides Jesus? For example, the Apostle Paul would be someone from the New Testament era that would provide hours of dialogue and inspiration. Challenge a group of teens or adults to answer such questions and offer their own take on things. The conversation really gets interesting once people start mentioning Judas or other “negative” characters. How so? Well, there are a lot of things you can learn about human nature by theoretically speaking to, let’s say, Doubtful Thomas or Pontius Pilate.

13. Christian Influence

What Christian person that you have met and known has had the most influence in your life and why? That person could be a pastor, close friend, stranger, or mentor. Think about whether that individual caused a turning point in your Christian walk. Starting from here, the group can learn plenty about its members, share similar or divergent opinions, start a constructive debate, and bond through shared emotions and experiences. It’s fun and you might be able to discover things that you’ve never even thought about before.

14. Christian Church Dilemmas

Today’s Christian church faces many problems. If you were able to have influence over just one of those problems, what would that problem be and how would you try to change it? Many would probably want to talk about the persecution that Christians face around the world today, the banishment of prayer, or the tearing down of Christian monuments. As a facilitator, make sure this icebreaker does not turn into an intense political debate that splits the group, angers people, or deters the shy ones from speaking out. It’s better to be safe than sorry. And while venting out anger is often beneficial, it can also stir a lot of trouble if left unchecked. We can’t stress this enough, but you’ll have to be very careful with how you question the people in your group and how you interpret their answers so that you can all avoid meaningless fights.

15. Weekly High-point

Looking back on your week (or the past few days), what was the most enlightening event or encounter that struck you as memorable and lasting? Perhaps a smile, handshake, or a few encouraging words brought a feeling of well-being and confidence to your week. Maybe interfacing with a less fortunate person in a positive way or helping someone facing difficulty would be a reminder of what a Christian outlook can do for others outside of your inner circle. Positive thoughts deserve to be shared with others, as they can have a powerful influence on the individual.

Other Adapted Christian Icebreakers You Can Try

There are hundreds of ideas and variations of ideas and activities that you can use as icebreakers for almost any Christian gathering. They usually take up a small amount of time at the beginning of a get-together. Their purpose is to put those in attendance at ease and make them more comfortable with the subject matter that is going to be discussed or studied later on in the meeting. Evidently, you can adapt many other games and group activities to become Christian icebreakers as well. Here are some more ideas and examples:

  • The Christian adaptation of the Icebreaker Bingo game;
  • The “Ask a Question” game, inspired by team-building icebreakers; it is a simple exercise you could try with a group of teens who are generally shy;
  • The “Would You Rather” game, inspired by team icebreakers, where the members of the group should answer questions along the lines of “would you rather be there when Jesus performed miracles or when Noah built the Ark?” Discussing why would people choose one against the other option is an excellent conversation and debate starter;
  • A “Never Have I Ever” game with Christian, church, or spiritual themes that brings people together, allows them to share experiences, have some fun, and begin more serious constructive debates on how to be a better Christian in everyday life.
  • The classic game of 20 Questions, one of the most popular “Get to Know You” games and activities that you can use as a facilitator to break the ice and allow people to become more comfortable with each other, especially if this is their first group meeting.

Christian Icebreakers: Bottom Line

One way to help people to intermingle with one another and know more about each other is with the use of short and interactive activities, and some of those listed here can help get a group gets off to a good start. Religion and beliefs can spark heated conversations, so as a facilitator, make sure you have all things under control. Keep your group open to communication and sharing, emphasizing and praising the things that brought them together while respecting and even celebrating the things that set them apart.

Featured Image via Pixabay

41 Catchy Youth Group Names

/6 Comments/in /by

Imagine the following scenario that brought you to seeking out the chosen youth group names. You woke up one morning with a calling. This was not just any calling. It was a message from higher up, with a call to leadership. Your faith is your own, but say that this calling brought you to a point of determination. You have decided that you will become the leader of an awesome youth group.

First of all, congratulations on reaching this moment! Leading isn’t for everyone. Leading a youth group presents an even greater challenge. But, let’s be honest, you don’t see a lot of big and successful youth groups without good youth group names. Be very careful about what choice you make. Your youth group name should remain at the forefront of these kids’ minds for years to come. It should be clever! It should also be catchy. And most importantly, it should reflect your mission statement. Let’s take a look at 41 examples of such names.

Plants & Pillars

This is based on the Bible verse Psalm 144:12, which reads, “Let our sons in their youth be as grown-up plants, and our daughters as corner pillars fashioned as for a palace.” You might be of tree planting variety or focused on outdoor activities. If so, this should at the top of your youth group names list.

Three SixTeens

This play on words references John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This is a great option if you are aiming for a cool vibe with music and fun activities galore.

GO

GO is quite a simple name with an appearance in virtually every book in the Bible. The most common command, usually issued by Jesus Christ. For this example, we’ll use its appearance in Mark 10:52 (“Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.”). The context in Jesus healing a blind man is a testament to the power of faith and how much a belief can impact your life. The name is short and to the point. It implies action and gives a motivational feel.

Shield of Faith

This name alone would have no trouble appealing to an audience of young video gamers. It is taken from Ephesians 6:16, which urges readers to “take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” Shield of Faith? Flaming arrows? The defense against and destruction of evil? Sounds like a great time.

By Faith

“By faith” is a common phrase in Hebrews 11: 1-39. It opens up many of the verses, telling the reader about certain people and how they accomplished things through faith. This would serve as a great motivator for the youth.

young girl praying

Image via Unsplash

EBZ

This stands for Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, three friends of Job mentioned in Job 2:11. They all agreed to meet up and comfort Job when they heard about “all the troubles that had come upon him.” A strong friendship and bond is depicted here, and those should be the basis of all youth groups, in and outside the meeting. The name itself is subtle and doesn’t necessarily imply religion or even a youth group. It rolls of the tongue, and implies something unique and elite.

Four ThirTeens

Similar to the “Three SixTeens”, this name is a play on Phillipians 4:13: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” As one of the more well-known Bible verses, this will strike a chord among those both familiar and unfamiliar with the faith.

Everpresence

This name, which sounds similar to rock band Evanescence, is taken from Psalm 46:1-3: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” This name would also suggest (and, of course, guarantee) that the youth group will display similar support for the community’s children. It emanates a strong sense of community and existence.

Righteous Tent

This has the potential to be quite the memorable name. Kids would jump in excitement to head to this “Righteous Tent” based on Psalm 118:15: “Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: ‘The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!’” Just like a tent itself, this youth group names implies inclusivity and welcome.

The Immovables

This grounded name is a reference to 1 Corinthians 15:58: “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. […]” This name could also suggest that the youth will build strength in a faith, or at least the foundation for a capacity. The Immovables screams out that nothing can break the faith of its members.

young boy laughing and holding bible

Image via Unsplash

Safe Rest

Such an inviting name can be found in Job 11:18: “You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety.” The youth of the community can feel at rest from the troubles of the world while putting one foot through the door to a life of spirituality. As far as youth group names go, this offers a sense of support as well as the basic drive for safety.

Tree of Life

Let your youth group stand as tall as a tree and offer sound advice taken from Proverbs 13:12: “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” Just like our first idea for youth group names, Tree of Life offers a great match for outdoor activities. By contrast, its also a great name for an urban community where the desire to connect to spirituality through nature is strong.

All-Time Love

This name also sounds similar to a popular band, All-Time Low. Children love catchy references to pop culture! This is a reference to the verse Proverbs 17:17 (A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity) and promotes and encourages strong bonds and friendships with the group and each other.

Ends of the Earth

This name can be found in Isaiah 40:28 ([…] The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth), and states that God has created, and therefore knows everything. It could also refer to omnipresence. The name gives off a good vibe of frontier adventurousness and scouts. It sends the message that your youth group members are brave and ready to tackle obstacles and face any challenge.

Eagle Wing(s)

This name also comes from Isaiah 40, just a few spots down on verse 31. “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary […]” An eagle generally symbolizes freedom, and a youth group generally offers a freedom to learn more about the faith, so it would be a fitting name. The eagle also represents strength through flight.

young boy reading bible

Image via Unsplash

The Purpose

This is based on Romans 8:28 ([…]God works for the good of those who […] have been called according to his purpose). Is there a purpose your youth group has for the youth? Absolutely. This name offers a real sense of meaning to match the goals of your organization. For those who are still seeking a righteous path in life, finding purpose will drive them forward.

The Inseparable

From Romans 8:38-39, which states that nothing in all existence is able to separate you from the love of God. Any youth group would do well to stress a point like this, and having it in the name is a smart way to go. Pushing forward the values of brotherhood and sisterhood are critical to youth, and applying this to your youth group name sets the standard.

Reflections

This refers to 1 Corinthians 13:12: “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. […]” There are some who join youth groups knowing parts of the faith, possessing the intent to learn more or gain clarification. Part of faith is also being able to reflect on one’s mistakes and learn how to improve. Reflecting is critical to becoming a better individual as well as a better leader.

New Compassions

This verse refers to Lamentations 3:22-23, which states that the Lord’s compassions “never fail” and “are new every morning.” This name serves as great day-to-day motivation, especially when it comes to keeping the youth engaged! Compassion is key not only to keeping your members, but to gaining new members.

Day By Day

Another verse that deals with renewal, 2: Corinthians 4:16 states that “outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” We all have our own struggles in life. Sometimes the best way to move forward is to make it through and be our best selves one day at a time.

three people read and write

Image via Unsplash

Root Love

This name can also be seen as a play on the phrase “Route Love,” which sounds like a road youth groups like to travel down. From Ephesians 3:17, which states that we are all “rooted and established in love.”

Keepers of the Command

Children and teens can take this name home with them, almost as if it were a new job title or responsibility. Followers of 1 John 3:22 “keep His commands and do what pleases Him.” When it comes to catchy youth group names, this one literally commands respect as well as significance.

Living Way

This can also be read as a street name or simply as in a way of living. From Hebrews 10:20, which states that “a new and living way opened up for us through the curtain […]”

Pure Joy

Any type of struggle should be met with pure joy, as it builds character (James 1:2-4). Happiness and positivity is critical when it comes to radiating warmth in youth groups and youth group names.

First 2 Last

God’s righteousness is one “by faith from first to last,” and the righteous should live by this faith (Romans 1:17).

little girl on couch reading

Image via Pixabay

Firm Stance

This is also based on 1 Corinthians 15:58, which deals with standing firm and being immovable during “your labor in the Lord.” It is critical to hold your ground when it comes to your faith, so applying this to youth group names sends a strong message.

Good Thing Cling

Romans 12:9 says that we must “hate what is evil” and “cling to what is good”. When it comes to catchy names, you can’t go wrong with a good rhyme!

Fulfillment

Love fulfills the law by doing no harm to a neighbor (Romans 13:10). On the same side of that coin is the power that spirituality and community faith adds to the fulfillment of our lives.

Patient Love

This is based on the popular verse/saying “Love is patient, love is kind.” A youth group exercises patient love daily (1 Corinthians 13:4). So too does leading a youth group, so for leaders and members alike, this name will serve as a positive reminder.

Autumn/Spring Rains

Autumn Rains or Spring Rains is both beautiful and inviting, and it is based on the rewards that came with complete love of the Lord (Deuteronomy 11:13-14).

hands holding book

Image via Unsplash

Doorframes

Youth groups act as the very life lessons they teach, written on the doorframes of their own buildings (Deuteronomy 11:20). The practice of writing biblical passages on the foundation of new buildings and structures is growing is making a resurgence. It could also reflect well in youth group names.

Seal of Love

The love of your youth group should be placed over the hearts of the youth, for “love is as strong as death” (Song of Songs 8:6).

Unto Others

This name is based on the Golden Rule itself, which is based on the Bible verse Luke 6:31. Unto Others sends a guiding message to your members as to how they ought to help their community and help each other.

Wise Walk

Children become who their friends are. May they choose the wise they might find in your youth group! (Proverbs 13:20).

Iron-Sharp

Good people build up and strengthen good people, as iron does to iron (Proverbs 27:17). This is an extra catchy name for a youth group that centers on sports or martial arts as team building exercises.

asian child reading with headphones

Image via Unsplash

East From West

The Lord has “removed our transgressions from us” “as far as the east is from the west” May your youth group do the same to the youth of your community! (Psalm 103:12).

Faithline

Like a bloodline, sincere faith runs in the family. A love of God must be generational (2 Timothy 1:5).

Archer

Youth groups should be blessed to have a “quiver” of children eager to learn more about the faith. They surely must be predestined to hit their mark (Psalm 127:3-5).

Springwater

The love and knowledge the Lord gives us will spring up like water within us and give us eternal live. So should the teachings your group offers (John 4:14).

Covered By Love

We, as brothers and sisters, should care deeply for each other, because that love covers “a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8).

My Strength

This name simply states that the Lord is strength, and this will represent your own youth groups strength in what you teach (Psalm 18:1).

Did any of these catchy youth group names stand out to you? Perhaps you have an idea for an entirely new one? Post your ideas below if you have other suggestions or have used any of the names found on this list.

Either way, you are ready to give your youth group—and the youth—something to stand for.

 Happy teachings!

Featured image via Unsplash

Frequently Asked Questions

What do you do at a youth group?

Youth groups have multiple purposes, some of the most prominent being helping out other fellow youngsters, praising the Lord, and organizing charities. Most importantly, it’s a way for the young ones in a church to get to socialize with people within their own age group. For developing children and teens, having a healthy social group is one of the key factors in their optimum growth.

How do you start a youth group?

There are multiple ways you could try starting a youth group, but we’ll go through the most common advice for starting one. Running any organization can be a daunting task; but this is doubly so when the organization you’re running is comprised of young-adults. Keep this in mind when taking into consideration the following:

Set your goals: it is necessary to know from the very start what you will want to do with the youth group. Do you want to organize as volunteers to help the local homeless food service? Or maybe you want to simply organize some get-together events so that the group will get to know each other better. Or, why not make it all about talent? Have them sing and praise the Lord as a band whenever they get the occasion.

Have a meeting place: Just in case your church doesn’t have its doors open numerous hours per day, it’s a good idea to rent a place where your group can meet up and do its thing. While many rental places have high prices, you can usually get a better offer if you tell the owner that space will be used for a youth group. Some landlords are devout Christians and thus might offer a great discount if you state your business sincerely from the start.

21 Fun Campfire Games to Try this Year with Your Adult Friends

/4 Comments/in /by

Ah, summer and fall evenings by the campfire – there’s just nothing like it. Gathering around a campfire to play campfire games with friends and family is just one of the simple pleasures to look forward to as an escape to our everyday lives. Those precious times around the campfire where we do not have to think about everyday stress (paying the bills, cleaning the house, and running with kids) are times to treasure with people we care about. It’s an easy way to relax, reflect, and reconnect with the people and world around you.

Aside from an escape from everyday life, times around the campfire are times to be enjoyed. Drinks, food, and fun are always high on the list of things to do as we sit around the campfire. Other than eating or drinking, try some of these fun games for adults we listed below at your next campfire gathering!

When it comes to some of the best campfire games when you are in a group of adults, remember the general rules of having a good time: everybody should be willing to play, the questions you ask during a Get to Know You Game, a Never Have I Ever Game or 20 Questions should be in good taste, and everyone has to have fun. Keep in mind that there are some campfire drinking games for adults to try during a laidback vacation, together with campfire games for kids that adults should try when there is no alcohol present.

In fact, why don’t you check out our ultimate guide of fun things to do with the kids during the 2020 lockdown, maybe you get some inspiration for the next holiday trip with the children!

Fun Adult Activities: Best Campfire Games to Try this Year

Five Daily Facts

campfire icon

While this sounds simple at first, it can get harder based on how tired or inebriated the players are. All players start by listing five facts of their day (Examples: “Today, I swam,” “I got a new car today,” or “My phone rang today.”), they can be silly or normal – it doesn’t matter.  After everyone has said their five facts, Player 1 would state a different fact than one of the five they had already listed. The goal is to see how many facts about each player can be remembered as you go down the line. This is a very useful game to play for memory but you should expect lots of laughs in case there were a couple of beers per person included in the equation.

Mafia/Werewolf

campfire icon

Mafia is one of the most fun games for adults that anyone can play around the campfire – even if it is the first time for some members of the group. This game can handle anywhere from 6-16 players, so it’s good for small and large groups. The only equipment needed is a deck of cards. One person must serve as the neutral moderator, but everyone else is split into two teams: The Honest or The Mafia. Check out the complete mafia game rules. Mafia/Werewolf is one of the best icebreaker games for teambuilding and mixed groups where not all members of a group know each other. While it does not reveal personal information about people – like a game of Never Have I Ever or a Get to Know You types of games –  it makes a fun and challenging way of people bonding over the same “cause.”

Truth or Dare

campfire icon

Next on our list of best campfire games to try this year is Truth or Dare. This is a classic game that can be played by all ages. One player asks another “Truth or Dare?” The asked player chooses whether they want to answer a truth question or complete a dare. If the asked player does not complete their truth or dare, they have to pay some sort of penalty. Perhaps taking another drink, putting a dollar in a jar, and so on. There are many variations of this game to make it as clean or risqué as players would like. For inspiration and amusement, check out our full guide of 300+ Truth or Dare game questions to ask your friends (old and new) around the campfire during this year’s summer holiday.

Twenty Questions

campfire icon

Another standard game that most people have played at one point or another is 20 Questions. It is one of the best campfire games to play with adults but also teenagers because of its versatility and high level of entertainment. In fact, you will find the 20 Questions game listed on almost all respectable lists of challenges to do with teenagers or indoor team building icebreakers and exercises. Traditionally, one player (considered the “answerer”) selects an object (or a famous person) and does not share who/what that is with the other players. All other players are the “guessers/question-askers.” The guessers must take turns asking yes or no questions of the answerer. If one of the guessers figures out what the answerer is talking about, they will become the answerer next round. If 20 questions pass and no players have figured out what the object is, the answerer gets to choose another object in the next round since they have stumped the other players. The biggest rule: no lying allowed.

Crazy Balloon Popping

campfire icon

This game requires a little prep, but it’s a fun take on musical chairs. Write down a bunch of crazy actions on small strips of paper (like “thump on your chest like a gorilla” or “yodel”) and put each strip of paper in a different balloon then inflate them all. Turn on some music and pass the balloons from person to person. Once the music stops, all players sit on their balloons and once the balloon pops, the player must do the crazy action from their popped balloon. Keep playing until all the balloons have been popped. You can adapt this activity into one of those campfire games for kids to try in summer camp if you are a teacher or in your back yard if you are a parent. Either way, balloon popping will always be fun at any age, so get your hands on a stock of fun balloons and turn it into an outdoor challenge for kids and teenagers!

Make Me Laugh

campfire icon

The classic staredown game that you surely played (even if you did not know how it was called) is next on our list of easy campfire games! This one can be trickier to play as it gets darker and darker outside. Players face-off and the first player to laugh is the loser. See how long it takes the most serious people to crack! You can make them laugh by telling them jokes, making faces, asking them the craziest questions, and so on. It doesn’t matter much what method you use as long as you keep the “opponent” laughing.

Name That Tune

campfire icon

This campfire game has variations, but having each person “sing” their song could be much more fun. One person sings or plays their song and then the rest of the group guesses based on what they’ve heard. You heard about some variation of this group activity when we described the best texting games for people to enjoy from a safe social distance. However, if you go on a trip and campfire is a thing, you have to play this game in person so to speak. Keep in mind that is is also one of those hilarious campfire drinking games that remains memorable for all its members.

I Can Tap This Stick Just Right

campfire icon

This game doesn’t require a stick! You can use a pencil, a fork, a bat, or any other item that you have around at the campfire. There’s one person who is in the know and they always start with CLEARING THEIR THROAT and saying “I can tap this stick just right,” then the object is passed to the next person to tap just right. It doesn’t really matter how the stick is tapped, the trick is in the clearing of the throat first. Players are watching how the object is tapped, it’s location, how it’s held, and may not necessarily catch the clearing of the throat first. The playing continues until everyone catches on about the throat-clearing as part of the process.

The Winking Assassin / Murder

campfire icon

This fun campfire game for adults is particularly entertaining, especially for people who use their whole faces to wink! One neutral moderator secretly selects an assassin. After they are selected, everyone mingles around while making sure to look in the eyes of the other players. The assassin’s goal is to wink at the other players to kill them off without being detected. As players are winked at, they must re-enact a horrifying death where they are and they are out for the rest of the round. If a living person thinks they know who the assassin is, they can point and accuse! If they accuse wrong, they are dead for the round. The play continues until only the killer or one player remains. This is another game with many variations that’s great for adults or kids and teens. However, for this game to be as entertaining as it sounds, you need a large group, preferably over 8 people. It doesn’t work that well when four people are looking at each other intensely, waiting for someone to blink.

Hide and Go Scare

campfire icon

Next on our list of best campfire games to play with your friends this summer vacation is “Hide and Go Scare!” This is exactly what it sounds like! Think of ‘Hide & Go Seek,’ but at night. Use the areas around your campfire to hide out and scare other unsuspecting players. Make sure you do not turn this one into a campfire drinking game, as people can get lost and accidents are not impossible in inebriated states. It is better to be safe.

Charades

campfire icon

Most people have played this fun game for adults at one point or another, but in the dark around a campfire can bring in some unique interpretations. Charades is by far one of the most popular party games, family games, and group games of all time. You can even theme it, drawing your inspiration from the cinema world, pop culture, famous historical figures, and so on. You can play charades on any occasion, from the lockdown to team buildings, as a backyard summertime activity with the family, or as a newlywed game.

Two Truths and a Lie

campfire icon

Usually an icebreaker game for team members who need to know each other better, this campfire game is quite versatile. It is also fun to play when you want to know more about the other friends playing the game! Each person says three statements – two truths and one lie. Everyone else has to guess the false statement. This is a great drinking campfire game – just don’t overdo it! The person who doesn’t guess which statement is the lie should drink a shot.

ABC Name Game

campfire icon

A player begins the game by saying the full name of a celebrity and the next player has thirty seconds to name another celebrity using the first letter of the mentioned celebrity’s last name. Example: The first player says “Tom Selleck” and then the second player says “Scarlett Johansson.” The third player could say “Jennifer Lawrence.” The play continues as such for three rounds. Here is a fun spin on the rules: if a person says a celebrity whose first and last name start with the same letter (like January Jones), switch direction of the play. The winner is the player with the most names after three rounds!

There Once Was a Skunk

campfire icon

This is a story game that can get pretty silly! The first person begins the story with “There once was a skunk who…” and finishes that sentence however they choose. Then, they randomly choose and point to the next person who starts their sentence with “Fortunately…” When that person finishes their sentence, they randomly choose and point to the next person who must start their sentence with “Unfortunately…” and once they complete their sentence, they pick a person who starts their sentence with “Fortunately…” and alternating for as long as the players can continue the story.

Telephone

campfire icon

Playing this familiar game always warrants a few good laughs! One person whispers a phrase to the person on their right. That person whispers the phrase to the person on their right, and that sequence goes on down the line or around the circle. The last person to hear the phrase says it aloud – no matter how crazy it sounds! It’s funny to hear how much the phrase changes from person to person. This is a game we all played in childhood and it is always one of those nostalgia games to come back to when you run out of ideas, especially if you have to spend time inside the house. However, as adult campfire games go, it also works great if you run out of ideas on campfire drinking games too. The results are usually hilarious.

Who Am I?

campfire icon

This is one of my favorite campfire games for adults. Celebrities, historical figures, or superheroes make a great theme for this game! After you’ve chosen a theme, have each player write down the name of a person who belongs to that category. There are many variations on how this game is played. Check out the detailed Who Am I instructions.

Stand Up & Shout!

campfire icon

This game could get really hard to play as the night comes on, but that might add to the fun! Count up the number of people in your group and remember that! Everyone can sit around the campfire and any player can start. Each player can shout only one number, but they must stand up when they shout it out. Though numbers must be shouted in order, there is no assigned order around the campfire – anyone can shout out a number at any time. The big problem, you can’t call out a number that someone else is also trying to call out. If you do, you’re out of the game. Playing gets more frantic as you go since players don’t want to get caught calling out the last number. As more and more people try to call out numbers, there will be lots of opportunities to be eliminated. You may not even get to the last number!

Glow in the Dark Frisbee

campfire icon

As long as the frisbee doesn’t land in the fire, this is fun! There are many glow in the dark frisbee’s on the market. You can try playing it as a fun campfire game for kids as well.

Marshmallow Mystery

campfire icon

This is less of a game, but rather a fun activity to just see just how many times you can roast a crust around a marshmallow until there is nothing left.

Would You Rather…

campfire icon

Next on our list of fun campfire games for adults is a classic game that gets everyone talking. Take turns asking “Would you rather…?” style questions. Example: Would you rather walk on broken glass or eat a piece of metal? The questions can be ridiculous or serious.

Go Off, Throw Your Shoe

campfire icon

This game is extremely silly, but fun to try. The goal is to sit and balance a shoe on your toes, then kick it backward over your head (and NOT into the fire). The person whose shoe has gone the farthest wins!

Bonus: Campfire Games For Kids

Chubby Bunny

Get your cameras ready, cause your kids are going to love this! The game is simple: stuff as many marshmallows in your mouth as you can without chewing, swallowing or spitting any of them and try to say “Chubby Bunny” as clearly as you can. Watch the kids’ small cheeks expand to new hilarious dimensions with this fun game!

Numbers

If you have ever wondered how you can make basic maths fun for kids, this game might just do the trick. The basic premise is that there are two or more teams of children, and one kid start out the count by saying “one”. After that, campfire ring yells numbers out going upwards to count as high as they can. However, only one person at a time from each team is allowed to say the next number. If two or more kids from one team try to say the following number, their team loses the game. The ultimate goal is to count as high as possible without failing the task.

Truth or Dare

This classic game is so versatile that just about anyone can play it. Kids are known to love truth or dare, so giving them this idea on a camping trip is a surefire way to start having some fun. If, for some reason, you’ve never played this game in your life, here’s how simple it is to get a grip of it. The game moves in a circle, and each person needs to pick from “truth” or “dare”. If they pick “truth”, the group gets to ask them a question of their choosing and the selected person needs to answer it truthfully. On the other hand, if the person picks “dare”, then the group can make them do a crazy stunt or just about anything they can think of.

Final Thoughts on Campfire Games

Grab your friends and family and head out to your nearest burn pit and test our campfire fun games! Try out some of these other campfire games for adults and enjoy some great company and memorable laughs!

Don’t forget to stay safe, drink responsibly, and adapt all these games so you can also play them with your children and other people as well! After all, summer vacations are the best moments to bond with your kids, get closer to other family members, or make new friends while on holiday.

Featured Image via Unsplash