A quick, no-prep icebreaker I like to use is having everyone in the group remove their shoes and toss them into a large pile. Then, everyone grabs 2 non-matching, non-their-own shoes, one left and one right. Then, they have to put the shoes “on”, and I know not everyone wears the same size, so do…
Circle of Death
This is an activity that I have used for larger retreats with ABSURDLY great results. There is a little prep, but there are no supplies needed, other than a piece of paper ripped into strips, as many strips as there are people in the group. As I said, I like using this activity with larger…
Sumo, Robot, Ninja
This is a one-on-one game or ice breaker I have used before with fine results, but when I adapted it as a group activity, the roof blew off this sucker. Divide your larger group into smaller groups, it’s best to do 3+, but it can be done with pairs. The rules are as follows: Sumo…
Pirate Toss
We’ve all played the old favorite toss – across game with our partner with an egg, water balloon, hand grenade (don’t judge my childhood), where we toss the object to a partner, take a step back and they toss it back to us. Easy, safe, old, boring. Spice it up, yo. Go to the…
Life After Youth Ministry Break-Ups
It’s a tale as old as time: Boy meets girl. Boy dates girl. Boy brings girl to his youth group. Inevitably, boy and girl break up. And we are left in the aftermath with two teens and one youth ministry. I’ve seen it a dozen times. Unfortunately, 11 of those times, the boy or girl…
Blessing Cards
If you have a crafty group, or if you are looking for a creative way to discuss our many blessings during Lent or near Thanksgiving or simply to do something cool, this activity is great. Have each youth bring a deck of cards that they don’t mind having not cards afterward. I usually like to…
Facebook Future
So…you use Facebook. Perhaps you have established a Facebook presence for your youth ministry. That’s great! Meet them where they’re at, right? Unfortunately, Facebook isn’t where they’re at anymore. While Facebook activity for those in their 30’s, 40’s and 50’s is increasing each day, activity for teens is on the steady decline. So, even though…
Group Journaling
I find that, though I am not naturally inclined to do so, writing down what happens right after it happens is amazingly helpful. I make sure that everyone on my mission trips has a journal and we designate time each night to write down thoughts from the day, even if it’s simply recalling significant events….
Mission Trip Hacks
I’m sure all those Youth Leaders out there are prepping their mission trips this summer, so I’m including some of my ultra Top-Secret mission trip hacks. These have come from pain-staking research, creativity, and mostly learning from my own mistakes. Easy-Peezy Splinter Remover – Alright, we all get splinters. Sometimes it seems we get them…
TP Dodgeball
Need a low-cost, high fiber…er..I mean fun, high fun game for your youth? Maybe you just have a lot of extra toilet paper. Either way, I don’t want to know. Go to Walmart or Costco, buy the cheapest toilet paper rolls you can, and prepare for TP Dodgeball. First, start the roll a little before…
Handy Dandy Youth Ministry Blog 