Game: The Great American Cheese Race

Type/Purpose: Food/Messy, Obstacle Course/Race/Relay

My favorite activity for the summer (and it really works any time of year) is the American cheese race. To have this race, each person sticks a slice of American cheese on his or her forehead and races to see who can get it into his or her mouth first. Be sure to have a trashcan ready, and explain that you don’t want the youth to actually EAT the cheese. Who wants to eat cheese that’s been stuck on your forehead? (Or that has hit the floor 40 times?)

Published November 1, 2005

Game - Food/Messy Game - Obstacle Course/Relay/Race

Related Resources

Engaging New Icebreaker Games

It can be important to have icebreaker games as a way to get your youth building community and encouraging joy together with your youth. This can be particularly true after Covid. Here are some encouragements and ideas for icebreakers.

4 Still Easy, but Some Prep Needed Ice Breakers

Here are four low prep icebreakers that take a little bit of prep for your youth group.

4 Easy, Low Prep Icebreakers

Here are four low prep, low supply icebreakers for your youth group.

Emotional Jug: A Listening Interaction for Youth

Many teens spend time interacting with friends over the internet, and that can lead to feeling nervous our unsure about face to face interactions. In the same way, they may not feel like youth ministry is a place where they can be honest and share their thoughts and feelings. This activity helps you to practice having healthy discussions about their lives and feelings within the Christian community that can offer both Law and Gospel with a sense of warmth, challenge, and grace.

Balance of Play in Youth Ministry

Healthy youth ministry should strike a balance between developmentally appropriate activities, time to build relationships, and study of God’s Word, prayer, and other spiritual practices. This article considers some of the important balances a healthy youth ministry needs to strike when it comes to play!

Let’s Play: The Importance of Engaging in Lighthearted Activities

There are many ways that we can incorporate play in working with youth. Games and structured exercises can help communicate Biblical truths and promote spiritual growth. Kristen helps us to think critically about the value and use of play in your youth ministry.