YouthESource

Game: Caterpillar Race

Type/Purpose: Obstacle Course/Race/Relay

Materials: Various items to construct an obstacle course of sorts (chairs to go over, items to go around, etc.)

Set-Up:

  • Find a playing field or space, and set up two identical obstacle courses, side by side. Consider using tape or other markers to map out the route, then set up objects to go around, over, under and through. Try not to make the obstacles too high or too low. (See play to get an idea of how to set it up.)
  • Break the group up into groups of 4.

Play:

  • Pick 2 teams to start, and have the group line up one behind the other, putting their hands on the shoulder of the person in front of them.
  • AT ALL TIMES, the group is to keep their hands on the shoulders of their teammates, and if any hands are released, they are to go back to the beginning of the course.
  • The first team to finish moves on to the next round.
  • Groups will compete bracket-style to complete the obstacle course, going 2 teams at a time. Each group will need to place second twice throughout the competition to be finished.

NOTES:

When setting up the course, keep a few things in mind:

  • Make the course short enough that if a group has to restart, it is not overwhelming.
  • Try to include at least 1 obstacle for the group to go over (knee height).
  • Try to include 1 obstacle for the group to squeeze through.

Extra Ideas:

  • Feel free to make the groups larger (groups of 5 or 6).
  • Consider obstacles involving each player bending down to touch something on the floor.

Teachable Moment: For devotional ideas, consider “Body of Christ.”

About the author

Sean Cramer graduated as a DCE from Concordia University, River Forest and served as a Program Assistant/Associate at Camp Lone Star in La Grange, TX. After moving back to his hometown near Rockford, IL, Sean currently works with Developmentally Disabled individuals. Aside from awaiting a Call in professional ministry again, Sean enjoys volunteering, reading, playing games, exercising and observing his dog be absolutely resistant to any new tricks.
View more from Sean

Related Resources

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

How do I know if our youth ministry program is healthy and properly caring for our teens?

Discover how you can enhance your youth ministry and serve the youth in your church with Seven Practices of Healthy Youth Ministry.

Share This