Author: Heather Lea Campbell

FREEBIE: The Amazing Race Youth Event!

games

Each year we do a “Mission Impossible” type-event, but this year I wanted to go a little different — “The Amazing Race!” I am a HUGE fan of game shows and competitive reality TV. The Amazing Race is something I can’t wait to tune in to each week. And making your own “The Amazing Race” isn’t very difficult to do!

I did this with both middle schoolers and high schoolers this month. The middle schoolers blasted through the event, as I think station leaders went a little easier on them than intended. The high schoolers took more time and the leaders gave less hints. For both events, I gave about an hour and a half — and both groups needed less than an hour. You live and you learn!

EXPLANATION OF AMAZING RACE:

  • Students will be in groups of 2-3 for “The Amazing Race”
  • Each group will be given an envelope that has the first Road Block on it (they will be mixed up so they all go to different stations first)
  • They will get to their Road Block where they will be met with a challenge.  It is important to get to your Road Block quickly, as most Road Blocks can only have 1-2 teams complete the challenge at a time.
  • Only one person from the team can complete the challenge, and they must take turns.
  • When the challenge is completed, they will get a ticket to the next Road Block.
  • Once they’ve finished all of the Road Blocks, they will come back to the Lodge (Pit Stop).
  • First-place team will receive a prize!
  • As teams finish, have an area for snacks & hangout.

GAME SET-UP

  • STATION CARDS
    • Print out Station Cards – CANVA LINK
    • We printed these on a poster printer on 24×36 inch paper, and cut out each station card to size.
      • Cut posterboard in half (hamburger style)
      • Each paper will be glued onto the posterboard
      • Outside – we taped posterboard to cones so they wouldn’t fly away. Inside, we taped onto walls.
    • But you can adapt to 8×11 or 11×18 as needed.
  • CHALLENGE CARDS
    • Print out Challenge Cards – CANVA LINK
      • Print on cardstock, full color. Print enough for each team.
      • Cut tightly.
    • ENVELOPES:
      • We purchased these Amazing Race Envelopes for the first round, because we wanted the classic “rip” moment.
      • However, to save money, we didn’t use envelopes for all of the stations.
      • We randomized the first round, and placed one of each station (or however many groups you have) into the envelopes to start.
  • When setting up stations, each staton should have all the items for that station, as well as the cards to the NEXT station and some PIT STOP cards.
  • Instruction Slides: CANVA LINK

EXPLANATION OF AMAZING RACE:

  • Students will be in groups of 2-3 for “The Amazing Race”
  • Each group will be given an envelope that has the first Detour/Road Block on it (they will be mixed up)
  • They will get to their Detour/Road Block where they will be met with a challenge.
    • Detour – they can choose from 2 challenges
  • When the challenge is completed, they will get a ticket to the next Detour/Road Block.
  • Once they’ve finished all of the Detour/Road Blocks, they will come back to the Lodge (Pit Stop).
  • First-place team will receive a prize!

General Instructions for Leaders:

  • When people get to your zone, have them make a line if you have more teams than can play at once.
  • Even though they have the piece of paper that explains it, go over the rules with them before they start playing the challenge.
  • If you are managing TWO stations, please have people pause so that you can address each station individually.
  • (INCLUDE CLEANUP INSTRUCTIONS FOR LEADERS!)

STATIONS

The following are the stations that we used. Feel free to use and adapt to your liking! We tried to use things that we already had on hand, and purchase minimal supplies.

STATION ONE: Tangram

  • SUPPLIES: Tangram puzzles (there are 6)
  • LOCATION: Upstairs Round Tables
  • INSTRUCTIONS: A tangram (Chinese for “seven”) is a dissection puzzle which consists of seven flat polygons, called tans, which are put together to form a shape. The objective is to to get all the puzzle pieces in the puzzle. Choose one player to accomplish this.
  • ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR LEADERS: There are 6 puzzles, so up to 6 people can work on this at once.
  • WHEN THEY ARE FINISHED: Give them a card to the next Roadblock/Detour!
  • WHEN SOMEONE TELLS YOU THEY ARE COMPLETELY FINISHED – check to make sure that all 12 challenges are in their hands. Then, hand them the “Pit Stop” Card.

STATION TWO: STACK IT HIGH OR STACK IT LOW

  • Supplies: 45 solo cups, 45 playing cards
  • LOCATION: Upstairs Café/Confirmation Room
  • INSTRUCTIONS – STACK IT HIGH OR STACK IT LOW
    • HIGH: Take 15 cups and stack on top of each other (end-to-end & opening-to-opening) to create a tower.
    • LOW: Take 15 cards and make a pyramid out of them.
  • ADDITIONAL INSTUCTIONS FOR LEADERS: There are enough items for 3 teams to do each task at a time. They can do these tasks as teams
  • WHEN THEY ARE FINISHED: Give them a card to the next Roadblock/Detour!
  • WHEN SOMEONE TELLS YOU THEY ARE COMPLETELY FINISHED – check to make sure that all 12 challenges are in their hands. Then, hand them the “Pit Stop” Card.

STATION THREE: FIND THE KEY

  • SUPPLIES: Master Locks, Ring of Keys (we purchased a bulk amount from Amazon)
  • LOCATION: Upstairs Round Tables
  • INSTRUCTIONS: You’ll have a ring of keys, but only one fits the lock! Choose one player from your team to accomplish this task.
  • WHEN THEY ARE FINISHED: Give them a card to the next Roadblock/Detour!
  • WHEN SOMEONE TELLS YOU THEY ARE COMPLETELY FINISHED – check to make sure that all 12 challenges are in their hands. Then, hand them the “Pit Stop” Card.

STATION FOUR: MEMORY GAME:

  • SUPPLIES: Memory Card Game
  • LOCATION: Lounge
  • PREP INSTRUCTIONS: Break down the memory card game into four different games with 12 countries each.
  • INSTRUCTIONS: You will receive a deck of cards. Place on the ground, face-up, then flip over. Match up the countries with each other. You get three strikes before you have to surrender the cards, move to the back of the line, and start over!
  • WHEN THEY ARE FINISHED: Give them a card to the next Roadblock/Detour!
  • WHEN SOMEONE TELLS YOU THEY ARE COMPLETELY FINISHED – check to make sure that all 12 challenges are in their hands. Then, hand them the “Pit Stop” Card.

STATION FIVE: EXERCISE OR EAT

  • SUPPLIES: Saltine Crackers
  • LOCATION: Lodge Lobby
  • INSTRUCTIONS:
    • EXERCISE: Choose one teammate to go up and down the stairs of the Lodge (up one and and down the other end) 5 times
    • EAT: Choose one teammate to eat 10 saltine crackers without water
  • ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR LEADERS: Have students go up one flight of stairs and then down the other flight. Remind them not to run down the stairs. If a student uses a wheelchair or needs to, they can use the elevator and go up/down it 5 times. Additionally, you may have one person go up the stairs at a time so they aren’t pushing.
  • WHEN THEY ARE FINISHED: Give them a card to the next Roadblock/Detour!
  • WHEN SOMEONE TELLS YOU THEY ARE COMPLETELY FINISHED – check to make sure that all 12 challenges are in their hands. Then, hand them the “Pit Stop” Card.

STATION SIX: DEAR LIZA

  • SUPPLIES: Kiddie Pool, 3 5-gallon buckets, 3 cups with large hole
  • LOCATION: Basketball Court
  • INSTRUCTIONS: Transfer the water from the kiddie bowl into the bucket. Here’s the catch: there’s a hole in your cup! You can choose to take turns or have one player accomplish this task.
  • ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR LEADERS: Instruct teams to dump the water back into the kiddie pool before they go or use the spicket to get more water.
  • WHEN THEY ARE FINISHED: Give them a card to the next Roadblock/Detour!
  • WHEN SOMEONE TELLS YOU THEY ARE COMPLETELY FINISHED – check to make sure that all 12 challenges are in their hands. Then, hand them the “Pit Stop” Card.

STATION SEVEN: SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

  • SUPPLIES: “Spot the Difference” Puzzle book, pens
  • LOCATION: Lounge
  • INSTRUCTIONS: At your station you’ll be handed a “Spot the Differences” Puzzle. Spot all the differences and turn it in! If you don’t find them all, you’ll have to start over with a new puzzle. Only one person can complete this.
  • ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR LEADERS: When someone comes to your station, hand them a puzzle from the book. Check the answers in the back of the book. If they fail, give them a new puzzle.
  • WHEN THEY ARE FINISHED: Give them a card to the next Roadblock/Detour!
  • WHEN SOMEONE TELLS YOU THEY ARE COMPLETELY FINISHED – check to make sure that all 12 challenges are in their hands. Then, hand them the “Pit Stop” Card.

STATION EIGHT: HOOP OR ROLL

  • SUPPLIES: Dice, basketball
  • LOCATION: Basketball Court
  • INSTRUCTIONS:
    • HOOP: Shoot 25 points at the basketball hoop (choose a spot for the “3-point line”)
    • ROLL: Roll 5 dice until they have “5” on them (they can roll them one at a time, 5 at a time, however they’d like)
  • ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR LEADERS: You only have a certain number of dice, so some people can only a certain number of students can play that game.
  • WHEN THEY ARE FINISHED: Give them a card to the next Roadblock/Detour!
  • WHEN SOMEONE TELLS YOU THEY ARE COMPLETELY FINISHED – check to make sure that all 12 challenges are in their hands. Then, hand them the “Pit Stop” Card.

STATION NINE: BULLSEYE!

  • SUPPLIES: Lawn Dart Kit
  • LOCATION: Lawn behind Lodge
  • INSTRUCTIONS: Get a bullseye using the Lawn Darts. Choose one member of your team to complete this. If you fail, you have to go to the back of the line.
  • ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR LEADERS: Have them make a line, each person can get 1 chance or use all of the darts, your decision. To save your back, have STUDENTS pick up the darts and hand off to the next person.
  • WHEN THEY ARE FINISHED: Give them a card to the next Roadblock/Detour!
  • WHEN SOMEONE TELLS YOU THEY ARE COMPLETELY FINISHED – check to make sure that all 12 challenges are in their hands. Then, hand them the “Pit Stop” Card.

STATION TEN: Pop-It!

  • SUPPLIES: Balloons, plastic bag for trash
  • LOCATION: Lawn behind Lodge
  • INSTRUCTIONS: Blow up ten balloons, then pop them with your butt. Only one team member can complete this.
  • ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR LEADERS: Have them pick up their popped balloons — there is a bag to throw away trash in. Make sure they blow their balloons up BIG.
  • WHEN THEY ARE FINISHED: Give them a card to the next Roadblock/Detour!
  • WHEN SOMEONE TELLS YOU THEY ARE COMPLETELY FINISHED – check to make sure that all 12 challenges are in their hands. Then, hand them the “Pit Stop” Card.

STATION ELEVEN: RUN OR ROLL

  • SUPPLIES: 3 ropes or bandanas
  • LOCATION: Playground
  • INSTRUCTIONS:
    • RUN – Tie two legs together and three-legged walk across the playground
    • ROLL – Create a wheelbarrow by one person grabbing the feet of another, and walk across the playground
  • ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR LEADERS: You may decide how long they have to go and where the starting line is.
  • WHEN THEY ARE FINISHED: Give them a card to the next Roadblock/Detour!
  • WHEN SOMEONE TELLS YOU THEY ARE COMPLETELY FINISHED – check to make sure that all 12 challenges are in their hands. Then, hand them the “Pit Stop” Card.

STATION TWELVE: LOSING OUR MARBLES

  • SUPPLIES: Kiddie Pool, Marbles
  • LOCATION: Basketball Court
  • INSTRUCTIONS: In a kiddie pool are a bunch of marbles. Choose one member of your team, and have them transfer 10 marbles out, one at a time, using just their feet!
  • ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR LEADERS: You may decide how many teams can do this at once.
  • WHEN THEY ARE FINISHED: Give them a card to the next Roadblock/Detour!
  • WHEN SOMEONE TELLS YOU THEY ARE COMPLETELY FINISHED – check to make sure that all 12 challenges are in their hands. Then, hand them the “Pit Stop” Card.

FREEBIE: Medieval Carnival

Events, games

This year we had to cancel our Fall Retreat due to low sign-up (story of student ministry post-COVID, amirite?). In ten days, we created THIS event, and boy — am I proud of it. We went with the Medieval theme because that was the theme of our fall retreat and we wanted to keep momentum so that students didn’t feel like something was “cancelled;” rather this was the new option.

We typically do stations at our events, so Carnival Games fit right into that theme!

Up-Front Games

We always start with some up-front games to get students warmed up. This month we played:

  • War: We divided students into two groups, and placed a deck of cards on a table in the front. Each player would turn over a card, and the top card (Ace) wins! The winner goes to the back of the line, the loser drops out
  • “How Long Would you Survive the Midieval Times?” I took a Buzzfeed Quiz and made it into a game. We played this “Four Corners” style, meaning students would go to one of 4 corners. If they chose the right corner they moved on. If they did not, they “died.” CANVA LINK
  • “Fact or Cap – Mideval Edition” – We called 10 people up on stage. If they got it correct, they got a small prize. If not, they lost. CANVA LINK

Carnival Games

STATIONLOCATIONSET UP INSTRUCTIONSGAME INSTRUCTIONS
Jousting GameOutside (inflatable) We rented a jousting inflatable. You could also do this with pool noodles and small platforms.1 ticket if you play 3 tickets if you win!
Axe ThrowingOutside (inflatable)We rented an axe throwing inflatable. You can also purchase a kit on Amazon. Hit the target – 1 ticket Inside middle black ring – 3 tickets Inside inner black ring – 5 tickets Fully-covered Bullseye – 10 tickets
Skee ballOutside We rented this game from our Inflatables guy, but you can make one or purchase one from Amazon.1 ticket for bottom hole, 3 tickets for middle hole, 5 tickets for top hole
Fishbowl Pong   “Fishbowl Feud”OutsideWe rented this game from our Inflatables guy, but you can make one or purchase one from Amazon. Scatter assorted amounts of tickets (1-5) in the fish bowlsToss a ping pong ball into the fish bowl & earn the tickets in that bowl!
Fish Pool “Go Fish”OutsideSet up kiddie pool, magnetic fish, and fishing poles (purchased from Amazon, we already had this on hand).Place one minute on the clock. Get tickets based on: 1 ticket – 1-3 fish 3 tickets – 4-7 fish 5 tickets – 8-10 fish 10 tickets – 11+ fish
Ring Toss (with traffic cones)   “Lord of the Rings”OutsideSet up 10 traffic cones and 3 hula hoopsGiven 3 rings. Get 1 ring = 1 ticket. 2 rings = 3 tickets. All 3 rings = 5 tickets
Duck Shooting Game   “Duck Hunt” We purchased this from Amazon. Place ducks on the ledge, and fill up water blasters with water. We had a cooler of water for fill-ups.1 minute on the clock! Shoot the ducks until they flip over. 1 ticket – 1-3 ducks 3 tickets – 4-7 ducks 5 tickets – 8-10 ducks 10 tickets – 11+ ducks
Mini-Golf   “squire’s golf” Cut a few holes in a box like this but with 1, 3, & 5 increments. Use a golf putter and golf balls (I borrowed from my husband!)Putt the ball into the holes, and get tickets for each hole you get!
Memory Game   “medieval memories” Use a deck of cards – lay face down on the table.Get 1 ticket for each match you can make! You have three strikes before you’re done.
Corn Hole   “bean bag baron” Use a corn hole set 3 chances to get a bean bag in the hole!

Prize Redemption Station

Games were played for tickets, which meant we had a prize redemption station. Here were the prizes we did:

  • 1 Ticket: stickers, pins
  • 3 Tickets: jolky rancher, laffy taffy, sour punch twists
  • 5 Tickets: slap bracelets, squishies, fidgets, slime
  • 10 tickets: nerds ropes, ring pops, blow pops
  • 30 tickets: full-sized candy (from dollar tree), caffeine-free pop

Snack Bar

Here are some ideas for potential medieval carnival foods!

  • Cotton Candy
  • Popcorn
  • Street Corn Bar
  • Turkey Legs

Message Idea

For this event, we have an outreach-focused message, meaning something that a visitor who has never been to church might be able to listen to without feeling uncomfortable. For this event, I talked about God’s “kin-dom” — that Jesus is a king unlike any other. Leaning on mujerista theology, I talked about how Jesus as a king teaches us that our faith is more about the community, not the king. This message was for middles, and they loved it!

2022 New Years’ Goal-Setting Workshop

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With the New Year comes a time to set new goals. Whether you choose to do a SMART plan, a “word” for 2022, or make a half-hearted promise over the champagne toast, 80% of New Years’ Resolutions fail by February.

In my opinion, the reason resolutions fail is because they are too vague. We don’t think through the potential obstacles, hard conversations, or limiting beliefs that holds us back from achieving something, even if it could literally change our lives. Then we find ourselves believing that we can’t actually achieve our goals, because we believe we have “tried before,” even though our attempts were really half-attempts.

Often times, we do know what will help us achieve wholeness in our lives, but we don’t have the systems in place to make those steps. We need the clarity and accountability that a coach gives us.

My coaching isn’t like those Life Coaches you see on Instagram that post quotes that inspire you for a moment. You see, we live in a society that worships information and inspiration, and the result is the illusion that insight creates transformation. This workshop is designed to move insight into behavior so that “what could be” turns into “what will be.” No more excuses for incomplete dreams, failed visions, and another year of not hitting resolutions.

Group Workshop – $20

Ideal for someone who already knows what goal they want to set, and doesn’t mind setting it in a group setting. Groups will be capped at 10 people.

There are two times to choose from –

  • Monday, January 3rd 7-8:30pm EST
  • Saturday, January 15th 10-11:30am EST

If you decide to add on a 3-month coaching package, it will be discounted by $20.

SIGN UP HERE!

Individual Session – $50

Ideal for someone who wants a more individual approach, especially if they feel what will get them “unstuck” is undetermined yet.

Times will be on Fridays & Saturdays throughout January, although an alternative time can be scheduled by contacting Heather directly.

If you decide to add on a 3-month coaching package, it will be discounted by $50.

sign up here!

Digital Resource Download: $10

If you don’t have time to complete a class, you can purchase the resource that I’ve created to complete on your own. Venmo or Paypal @heatherlea17, include your email, and I will send it to you!

FREEBIE: Poverty Simulation (that you can even use with middle schoolers!)

games, lessons, Resources

Poverty Simulations are a popular way to teach students what it looks like not only to live in poverty, but also how much it takes to pay for different things that they might take for granted.

I struggled finding a way to teach our middle schoolers specifically about poverty, especially since most poverty simulations are created with adults in mind, and adaptable enough for high schoolers. So, I created my own! You can adapt this simulation for any size group, with or without volunteers.

We played this for the first time this summer at our day camp for 5th though 8th graders, and we learned a lot! This can be a frustrating experience at first for middles — ours were ready to quit 5 minutes in because they ran out of money. But, it’s helpful to keep the game moving and just let them start over. After the second round, they will begin to get a hang of it! We also learned you need to print a TON of income sheets…. like more than I estimated.

HOW TO PLAY / INSTRUCTIONS:

how-to-poverty-simulationDownload

PRINT TO PLAY:

immigration-questionsDownload
leader-roles-editableDownload
table-labelsDownload
life-cardsDownload
leader-rolesDownload
income-sheetsDownload

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION AFTERWARDS:

questions-for-discussionDownload

FREEBIE: Halloween-Themed Escape Room / Unlock the Box

games, Resources, Uncategorized

Each year for Halloween, we have an event called the Halloween Heist. Each year the Heist looks a little different — one year it was a Scavenger Hunt, another year a murder mystery party.

This year I decided to take inspiration from Escape Rooms and do an Unlock the Box-style event. There would be 4 “safes” that students would try to unlock. They would complete a series of puzzles to do so.

We did this with our high schoolers, and had them play the games as a small group. I think you could do this with any size group, and just adjust the prizes for your group’s culture. Our students had a blast, and I think we will do this type of event again!

Here are the details/script for the host:

  • Welcome to the Halloween Heist
  • The objective this evening is to solve all your puzzles first and crack the code to the safe
  • The first four teams to do so will win a fabulous prize. All four safes have the same code, but if you’re first place you will want to go for the largest prize, second place the second largest, etc.
  • The puzzles are in each room of the Lodge. You can do 1 through 5 in any order, and there is no limit of how many can work on a puzzle in the same room. (YOU COULD ALSO PLAY THIS THAT THEY COMPLETE EACH PUZZLE IN THAT ROOM, 1 THROUGH 5)
  • Do not cheat. Do not use google or a calculator.
  • When you are finished with each puzzle, a puzzle master may check it for you.
    • (LEADER) is the Puzzle Master upstairs, (LEADER) the Puzzle Master downstairs.
    • If you’re not correct, you’ll need to correct your puzzle.
    • We will have extra puzzles in case you have to start over.
    • If you’re stumped, the puzzle master may give you one clue.
  • Play to the strengths of your team, and work on it together.
  • When done with all 5, you will come get the final puzzle from me right here. When you have the final answer, it will be the combination to the lock. Come up and try your combination to win!

DOWNLOADS THE HEIST HERE:

heist-2021-2Download

These are the puzzles and answer keys.

ABOUT THE SAFES:

I chose to place locks on toolboxes and fill the toolboxes with prizes. We had small groups play together, so I placed in a treasure trove of snacks and Halloween candy that they could enjoy over time.

We also did gift cards to Dominoes and Starbucks that groups could use to enjoy together. We did this with our high schoolers, who often meet off-site or meet during an eating time. They were very excited about this!

Minute-to-Win-It Games

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This year we pivoted to a completely small groups-based model, which means that all of our events are now in the context of small groups too, whether they meet online or in-person.

We give groups creative freedom to do some fun games online through this list I compiled, but we ALSO wanted to give special days devoted to fun. We are calling them “Party-in-a-Box” because we are creating kits for each of our students, whether they are in person or online, that have all the materials to create a party with their small group once a month.

For March, our theme is “Minute-to-Win-It” games. For reference, we are making 250 kits, and it cost $800 on the dot (all I have budgeted for each of these!).

Kit Contents

Games

  1. Separate skittles into their individual colors; first to complete wins. (don’t eat because of other games)
  2. Place a popsicle stick in your mouth, and place a skittle on one at a time. First to balance 6 skittles wins (or whoever can get the most on in a minute wins)
  3. Cup-Stacking: First to make a tower with their cups and tear down wins
  4. Move The Cup: Place the red cup on top, and the five clear cups below it. Move the cups from the bottom to the top one by one. The first person to move their red cup to the bottom wins!
  5. First to suck their jello through a straw wins!
  6. Each person blow up one balloon. The person who can keep their balloon in the air the longest with just a straw wins! (or hands if in person)
  7. Using a straw, transfer gold fish from one cup to the other. First one wins.
  8. First person to bounce all three ping pong balls into one cup wins!
  9. Fill up each cup with water almost all the way to the top. Place the ping pong ball in the first cup. Blow the ping pong ball into the next cup until it lands in the last cup. First one to do one wins!
  10. Line up cups in a line on the edge of a table. Blow up the balloon (don’t tie it). Use the air to blow the cups off the table one by one.
  11. Come up with a creative way to pop the balloon without using your hands!
  12. There is a puzzle in the bag. First to put it together wins! Bonus: they can color the puzzle to make it their own!
  13. There is a Rubix cube in the bag. First to place it together wins!
  14. Use the playdoh to make a creation. Get the group to guess what you made — first one to guess correctly gets a point.
  15. WHEN DONE: Use everything in your bag to make an epic tower! Best one wins!

BONUS MINUTE GAME – Scattegories – Instruct everyone to get a pen and a piece of paper. Place one minute on the clock — name as many XYZ in a minute as you can. Whoever has the most UNIQUE characters at the end wins! You can also use an online version of Scattegories.

35+ Group Games Games You Can Play on Zoom

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This year we pivoted to a small groups-based model, with both in-person and online options. While in-person groups have board games and other activities they can do, we initially found it difficult to keep our groups on Zoom entertained. Here are some of the games we’ve loved — 35 games listed just as a starting point (and I’ll add more as we go!)

Group Games – Extra Device Needed

Group Games – Download the Same App

  • Among Us: Have everyone download the app, get a private room, and play along!
  • Heads Up: It’s like Charades, but an app everyone would have to have
  • Psych: Like Two Truths and a Lie, a fun hit!

Group Games – No extra device needed

  • Powerpoint Games from DYM: We LOVE using games from Download Youth Ministry with our group. Since we are in a small groups model, we download the games and then place them on Google Drive. We tell small groups they can play those games, and have created a small library for them. Just be careful not to use games that are “Sidekick Only,” as each leader would have to purchase and download Sidekick.
  • Charades/Pictionary/Hangman/”Gurgle the Song”: We’ve given groups a bunch of words (or they can do their own) and then they can choose how to play those. Some groups love annotating on Zoom. You can also use this generator
  • Random Trivia Generator: You can show the trivia on your screen or read it from your phone, and students can anser.
  • BINGO – You could always send the students the cards and chips.
  • Murder Mystery Parties – You would send the materials in advance. Here are is one option of virtual mystery parties!
  • Scavenger Hunt – Come up with a list of items, and have your students race to find them! You can also do this with sentiment; i.e. “find the item that best represents your week,” “find a picture that means something to you,” etc.
  • I-Spy – Play using anything from anyone’s screen background!
  • Chopped/Cooking Competition – With parent permission of course, you can do cooking challenges with your group via Zoom. Send them some supplies to cook from, set parameters (microwave only for middles?), and let them dream!

Color Wars

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As summer is around the corner, so is the excitement that it will soon be warm enough to do “color wars” again!

What is color wars? Color wars consists of kids throwing different color paint powders at each other. Sometimes there are team competitions involved. Sometimes there is a charity run involved, where every mile a new color gets thrown at contestants! The goal is to get as messy and colorful as possible!

How do you accomplish color wars? You CAN buy color wars pigmented powder, but it gets VERY expensive. The color goes much more quickly than you might expect. I’ve done color wars now 3 times, and here is our fool-proof way to do it!

DRY COLOR BOMBS

The most popular way to do color wars is with dry powder — and I like to use dry tempera paint. Here are the products you’ll need for about 60 people for 20ish minutes of free play (like I said, it goes quick! When in doubt, buy more):

One hack that was helpful for us was to mix the color powder and the corn starch into the bucket, then use a dixie cup to scoop 1-2 dixie cups into each knee high. Then, tie it off making it a “ball.” We learned the hard way to snip off the excess sock, as students used them to sling them at each other and hit one another.

COLORFUL WATER GUNS

Here is what you will want to purchase:

OTHER MESSY GAMES

We set up pools of messy activities, as well as served messy food (without napkins!). We opted for a “messy games” night versus a “color wars” because I just don’t love that term, to be honest. My favorite thing to call it is a “Mess-tival.” Here are some of the pools of mess we had:

  • Slime Baff – it took 20 packets to fill up a standard rectangle kiddie pool
  • Jello – don’t use real jello, use this fake stuff! One of these fills 100 gallons.
  • Pool of Orbeez. It takes SO MANY ORBEEZ to fill up a pool. And they are not ask biodegradable as they appear; they will leave a surface slick for a long time unless you wash them away. It takes over 1 million water beads, or 20 of these. Make sure to leave at LEAST overnight and covered in order for them all to expand!
  • We also did buckets of water balloons. Can’t go wrong with Bunch-O-Balloons or its cheaper versions!
  • We also love to add other water activities — water slides, slip-n-slides, and a foam pit we get from our local inflatables guy! And don’t forget tons of Ice Pops or Snow Cones!

Creative Service Projects You Don’t Have to Leave Campus For

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Youth Ministry pre-2020 used to be an in-person ministry with some digital opportunities, but the pandemic has flip-flopped us to be a digital ministry with some in-person opportunities. As we look forward to the summer, it can be overwhelming dreaming of creative experiences for our students, especially ways for them to serve. Most of our service partners are not taking volunteers, and may not take teenagers for the forseeable future.

I took to our Women in Youth Ministry Facebook group, as well as some other brains, trying to dream up a list of some creative ways to serve this summer, ways that could be helpful for any age (including our 5th-8th graders, who are constantly rejected from service sites in the first place!). Here are some ways to serve this summer, no matter the age, in easy ways that honor social-distancing:

  • Create hygiene kits and snack packs for local homeless shelters. Here is the wish list I created that contains all the materials we gather when doing these. I’ve done this 5 times now, and it’s always a hit!
  • Do a meal packing with organizations like the Million Meal Movement here in Indy. It costs a little bit of money, but you could even do a fundraiser where students ask family friends to sponsor their meals they pack.
  • Create bags for kids with activities. You can donate these to food pantries, to fire stations/police stations to give to frightened children, to the Ronald McDonald House, etc.
  • Create an alphabet coloring book. Have each student draw an outline of a letter, and they can decorate it to their creativity’s extent. Copy and make into a coloring book and distribute to children.
  • Do a Poverty Simulation
  • Do a Canned Food Drive. You can even drop off flyers/bags on the doorsteps of homes in your church’s neighborhood with instructions to leave the products on the doorstep another day. Then students can go pick them up — without making contact with people.
  • Write cards to first responders, your church’s shut-ins, or the residents at a senior living facility.
  • Pot flowers and deliver to a senior living facility.
  • Make care packages and deliver to first responders. Make homemade soaps, scrubs, baked goods, etc.
  • Partner with a local farm or urban garden.
  • Do a car wash! Make it free, or charge and donate the proceeds to a cause.
  • Do a prayer walk or an anti-racism walk with information about the roots of racism in the community.
  • Create kits for the younger children in your church for worship.
  • Do prayer stations, or do a twist and create prayerful “service” stations. An example is making inspirational rocks that students can scatter throughout their city. They can also write a thank-you card to a ministry leader or first responder.
  • Make tie-blankets. Donate to a shelter.
  • Painting anything around the church (but make this intergenerational and have lots of adults!)
  • Washing windows is always my default when we’ve run out of other projects!

I believe that these service projects will survive the pandemic and be go-tos for our middle school ministry in the future, as it is so tough for service organizations to take them! Sometimes it takes experiences like the last year to get really creative and think out of the box. If you have any ideas to add to this list, I’d love to hear them!

Bob Ross Painting Party – Part 2: Watercolors!

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Hey friends!

About a year ago I posted about how we did Bob Ross IN PERSON using acrylics, which was a huge hit for our kids. Right now, we are a completely small groups-based ministry, which means that groups are meeting in 10 or less in-person or on Zoom. Since we are not doing large events, we developed “Party-in-a-Box,” where we put some items into a kit and they can do them together as a group. This month we are doing a Bob Ross Party.

Separating and dropping off/mailing Acrylics to 225 kids was a logistical nightmare. So I thought: what about watercolors?

I was naïve, unfortunately, to think that all I would have to do is sub watercolors and everything else would be the same. What I didn’t realize is that Watercolors are a completely different medium altogether. With the help of my friend Jason Rockacy, an architectural illustrator who specializes in watercolors, he helped conceptualize a painting and the tools needed to pull this off with our students.

I encourage you to go give Jason some love over at his website: http://www.rockacystudios.com/

ITEMS NEEDED:

VIDEO:

* you may use this video with your group!

TIPS:

  • This may take the ENTIRE HOUR, and if students are in-person they may have to go home with the painting still drying on the cardboard (or you may choose to leave it in your space). Make sure to watch the end of the video so they know how to take tape off and dry.
  • WATCH THE SECTION, THEN HIT PAUSE WHEREVER IT SAYS “PAUSE.” Encourage the students to listen the entire time before painting so that they understand the instructions.
  • Encourage creativity! If they decide to red mountains and a purple sky, hey. It’s their world to live in.
  • Encourage them to do their best, and don’t laugh at their mistakes. Students need a safe place to “fail,” and we should never laugh at them.
  • you will have two cups – one for dirty water and one for clean water. Don’t dip a dirty brush into clean water. 
  • let an area dry completely before painting next to it
    • if the paint bleeds, push it back with brush and/or dry with paper towel
    • Paint will flood wherever water lives.
    • You will know when it’s dry when it’s no longer glossy
  • watercolors dry lighter than it looks
    • if you want an area to be darker, wait for it to dry and then paint another layer over it
  • don’t get your paper too wet:
    • If you get too much water on your paintbrush, squeeze the extra off
    • If you create puddles, dab with paper towel
  • If you don’t like a paint color you’ve created in the well, wipe it with a paper towel and start again!

I hope your group enjoys this activity!