How to Plan Games for a Youth Group

Planning games for a youth group may not be your cup of tea, especially if you're a boring adult. But with a little forethought and practice, you can become a whiz at entertaining your youth group while teaching them lessons at the same time. These simple instructions and resources will help you become a master of youth group gaming.

Instructions

1. Plan several games. Youth tend to be overstimulated and have a short attention span. Having several games to play will keep them focused and entertained.

2. Choose games for the number of kids you expect to attend your youth group meeting. Some games can't be adapted for more or less players, so know how many will attend and pick your games accordingly.

3. Research games that carry similar themes or lessons for your youth group meeting. Driving home the lessons while creating happy memories is the best way to teach kids.

4. Complete all the preparation for the games in advance. Do as much as possible before the youth group arrives. This will eliminate down time and avoid bored kids.

5. Begin the game with a minimum of introduction or explanation. Just jump into the game and explain it as you go along. Kids live their lives this way. Learning as you go and getting better as you gain understanding is a valuable life lesson in itself.

6. Know that some games just don't work. If the game bombs, make a joke out of it and go onto the next one. Not all things work and how you deal with that helps teach the kids how to deal with those situations in their every day lives.

Resources

• A good resource for games.
• A wonderful source of games and lessons.