Discipleship is a necessary part of our Christian faith, so it’s important to teach kids young. A great way to do this is through creative games that are fun and teach kids about how to lead others to follow Jesus.
There are many games that you can play, but most of the time you can’t find them for the right age range. Below the games will be categorized from elementary to young adult.
Here are 7 great games I found that I hope you have fun playing:
1. Armor of God
Age Range: Elementary
Supplies:
- Belt
- Helmet or hat
- Toy sword
- A breastplate (you can make it out of cardboard)
- Shield (you can also make this out of cardboard)
- Bible
Here is a link to learn how to make cardboard armor.
Directions: Start the game after learning about the armor of God. You will tell the kids to identify different pieces of the armor of God. Start with one of the piece of armor, ask what it is and what it is used for. Example- The belt of truth, it can be used, to tell the truth, make sure you know the truth of what the Bible says.
Go through all of the pieces of armor and give pieces of candy or small treats for each correct answer.
The goal of the game: To be able to identify the armor of God and what it is used for.
2. Twelve Disciples fishing game
Age Range: Elementary
Set-up:
- You will need to fill a couple buckets with water.
- On each of the ping pong ball sets write the names of the twelve disciples.
- Put magnetic stickers on each ping pong ball.
- You can make magnetic fishing poles in place of purchasing them.
Supplies:
- 24 ping pong balls
- Marker
- Hot glue stick (for the magnets)
- 2 buckets
- 2 empty egg cartons
- Magnetic stickers
To make the magnetic fishing poles you will need:
- Small wooden dowels
- Hot glue stick
- String
- Small circular magnets
Directions: Have the kids split off into two lines, one behind each bucket. Give them a fishing pole and have them start to fish for the ping pong balls.
When they hook a ping pong ball have them carefully put it in the egg carton or “net.” Have them read the name that is on the ping pong ball; this helps them remember the names of the 12 disciples.
Passages you can use: Mark 3:13-19 and Luke 6:12-16 is the calling of the 12 disciples. Matthew 4:19 talks about being “fishers of men.”
3. Yoda Or Proverbs?
Age Range: middle school
Set-up: All you have to do for the set-up is come up with multiple quotes some from Yoda and the others from Proverbs. As many as you want to say.
Directions: You will choose either a Yoda or Proverbs quote and say it to the kids. They will then have so much time to decide which one it is in unison.
The goal of the game: To work together and know Proverbs well enough to be able to tell the difference.
4. Bible Charades
Age Range: teen
Set-up: You will need to cut up several small pieces of paper and write either Bible characters, stories, or books on each piece of paper.
Directions: Split the teens off into two teams. The first team will start by having one of their team members start to act out the topic they have on the paper. They will be timed 30-60 seconds each round until either everyone has gone or you are out of paper.
The goal of the game: To get creative in your acting out of things.
5. Hey, you’re like me!
Age range: middle-high school
Verse: “so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” -Romans 12:5 (ESV)
Meaning: We are all one in Christ, but are all individuals, none the same.
Directions: Have all the kids stand on one side of the room, the leader will stand in the middle. The game starts when the leader asks the kids a certain question about something they like, dislike, or have (personality, belonging, etc.)
Example: “Likes dogs better than cats.” If the student does in fact like dogs better than cats, then they will walk to the other side of the room. If you have the time they can share why if they want to. You keep making things up as you feel fit. Reminder: try to keep the topics respectful and make sure you tell the kids to be kind to one another.
The goal of the game: To get to know each other in a fun way.
Supplies: you do not need any supplies to play this game. It is meant to be easy to play at any time.
At the end of the game, you all can talk about some of the craziest moments in the game and one thing that everyone learned about someone they didn’t know that well.
6. Relay Race
Age Range: young adult
Set-up: You will have four stations set up.
- The first is 2 bowls m&m’s in one and a straw.
- The second is a plate of whip cream with gummy worms hidden in them.
- The third is a memory verse printed out on a small piece of paper.
- The last one is just someone with a timer. (someone will hold their breath while being timed.)
Split everyone into groups of 4. Once groups are formed have them get into a straight line behind the starting point. Have them choose one person for each section explaining to them what each section is. Once they have chosen you can begin.
How to play: The first section is the m&m’s; you will have them move all of the m&m’s from one bowl to the other only using a straw. When they are done they will sit down and the next person will run forward to a plate of whipped cream and gummy worms.
Have them find however many gummy worms you decide to hide by only using their mouths, once they are done the same procedure will happen.
The next person will run to the next station, you will have them memorize a verse and tell a supervisor that is standing there with them the verse, the same thing will happen. The last teammate will run forward once they get to their station they will need to hold their breath for 30 sec.
Once everyone is done they will all run towards the person that just finished holding their breath and sit in a straight line to indicate completion.
The goal of the game: To build character as a team and have lots of fun.
Supplies: You will need things for each section of the relay.
- M&M’s, however many you think you will need
- Bowls, styrofoam will work
- Straws, plastic disposable ones
- Styrofoam plates
- Whipped cream
- Gummy worms
- Paper for memory verse
- Timer, a phone should work
Disclaimer: You will need to have one supervisor for each group of kids.
7. Bible Who Am I?
Age Range: young adult
Set-up: You will need to have pieces of paper cut up with different characters from the Bible on them.
Directions: You will tape a character onto everyone’s heads. They have 30 seconds to ask yes or no questions until they can accurately guess who they are.
The goal of the game: This game is mainly just for some fun and to make you think.
Each of these games is customizable so that you can change them to be age-appropriate for whatever your age group is. Play at them at home, youth group, or even at school.
Wherever you play these make sure to keep Christ at the center and have the kids share what they learned. This will help them understand the deeper meaning behind each game.