In this game, the children who you are responsible for as a leader must decide together how to rate items salvaged from a plane crash, space ship crash or sinking boat. Their ability to survive depends on how well they decide which items are most important. Everyone must agree before they can turn in their list, requiring negotiation, debate, communication and compromise.
Gather a lot of newspaper and masking tape. Give each group of four to six youths enough of both to build a shelter big enough to house three teenagers. Each team must work together to plan and build their shelter. This game is also called “Big Bad Wolf” because after the shelters are constructed, the youth leader acts like the Big Bad Wolf in the story of the Three Little Pigs, attempting to blow the shelters over.
Divide your group into teams of no more than four children. Give each team an equal amount of paper and tape and one egg. Their job is to build a tower that will support the weight of the egg without the allotted time. The team with the highest tower wins. Give them about four minutes to plan, then 10 minutes to build. Show leadership by advising the youths on how to properly construct their egg towers.
Blindfold everyone in the group and put a long rope on the floor in front of them. Tell them to make a square with it and stand back to see how they manage. Take note of those who take charge and those who think logically; it’s an excellent chance to observe the strengths of your youth group. This will allow you to more effectively manage your team in the future.
For a game that doesn’t require any supplies or planning, have all the kids stand close together in a group. Everyone must grab the hands of two people not next to them, and then untangle themselves without letting go. Be sure that they are all comfortable being in close physical proximity to each other, as they’ll have to climb over and under a lot. Lead by example and participate yourself in this game.