Looking for a quick and easy game to break the ice with your youth? Or something longer and more complicated to help build community? How about something related to the season or to tie in with a Bible study? Check out these youthESource games, contributed by various readers over the years.

And before trying a game, check out this article on Game Presentation and Techniques.

Game Categories:

Artistic
Games that allow for some artistic or creative expression.

Ball/Throwable Objects
Games that involve balls or other objects that can be thrown or tossed.

Board/Card Games
Games created by using board, card, or other games.

Chase/Tag
Chase, tag, and running games.

Community Builders
While all games are great for community building, these specifically offer great opportunity for time in community with each other.

Event/Activity
These games can be events in and of themselves, often taking about an hour or more to pull off.

Food/Messy
All of these involve food, and some are messier than others.

Fundraising Games
Are they games, or are they fundraisers? Maybe they could be both!

High Tech
Games that make use of technology like digital cameras, smartphones, etc.

Ice Breakers
Consider starting your gathering with an icebreaker activity to both spark, and gauge, group interaction.

Ideas
Just need something to spark your imagination? Check out some of these ideas.

Miscellaneous
Games that don’t seem to fit anywhere else.

Mixers
Have a new group, or just a big group? Get everyone to mix and mingle with these games.

Obstacle Course/Race/Relay
Various games set up as obstacle courses, races, or relays.

Off-Site
Sometimes you need to get to a new location. Not all of these have to be off-site, but work well as such.

Outdoor
These games are best done outside.

Scavenger Hunt
Who can find the most items on the list? Many of these take a little more time.

Seasonal/Holidays
Games created with certain seasons or holidays in mind.
Fall
Spring
Summer
Winter

Travel
Youth groups are constantly traveling, and it’s always nice to have a bag of tricks to pull from.

Trivia
Ask some questions and make your group think a little. Some of these make great getting-to-know-you games.

Water
All of these use water. Consider doing them outside! They also make great summer games