There are so many times at youth group where not everyone knows each other, and it’s kind of awkward, and people aren’t really communicating with each other. So you think… “Get to know you game!” (or ice breaker)
In order to help you out, I have compiled a list of 9 youth group games that you can play to get to know everyone, also known as ice breaker games. Now these games can be used by any group, but before you use any of them, think about how they can best be used for your group, and remember to think each game through in your head before you play them at youth group. Also remember that when playing get to know you games, most kids will be feeling quite awkward, that is why the game is there, to help them out in not feeling awkward. So please explain these games really really well, and give whoever is playing them absolutely no reason to feel awkward.
So here are the 9 games that I will explain in detail in this post.
- Chivalrous Dudes
- 2 Truths, 1 Lie
- Everyone Who…
- Knights, Horses, Cavaliers
- Appointments
- Find Someone Who…
- Toilet Paper
- Remember Everything
- Fast Name Circle
Continue reading below to learn about 9 not awkward youth group games to play to get to know everyone (ice breakers).
1. Chivalrous Dudes (10-50 people)
This is a version of musical chairs, except instead of having chairs, you have guys down on one knee.
To start this game, get all of the guys in your group to kneel down in a circle facing outwards, and have all the girls in a circle around them. Play some music (like in musical chairs) and when the music stops each girl has to try and sit on a knee, if they can’t find a knee then they are out. As the game goes on, continuously take out guys as you would take out chairs.
2. 2 Truths, 1 Lie (3-10 people)
This game is great for any size. Normally lying is bad, but in this game it works well.
Everyone is in a circle, and one at a time, you say 2 truths and 1 lie about yourself, and everyone else in the group has to guess which one is a lie.
E.g. 1. I like avocado. 2. I’ve gone bungie jumping 3. I was born in Holland (guess which one is a lie in the comments)
3. Everyone Who… (15-60 people)
For this game, everyone needs to be sitting in a big circle on chairs. With one person in the middle without a chair, this person says “Everyone who…” and then says something about people, like “is wearing shorts”, or “was born overseas”, or “likes eating chocolate”.
For anyone which that statement is true (i.e. they are wearing shorts), they need to get up and find a new seat. They can’t sit in their own seat or one directly next to them. At the same time the person in the middle needs to find a seat. The person who is left in the middle says “Everyone who…” and the game keeps going.
4. Knights, Horses, Cavaliers (10-60 people)
Get your group into pairs (this isn’t a great first game to play because of this). Each pair needs a bigger person and a smaller person. Each pair has to follow your instructions, and if they don’t then they are out.
Your three instructions are knights, horses and cavaliers. When you call out knights, one person gets down on one knee and the other person sits on it. When you call out horses, one person jumps on the back of the other (piggy back). When you call out cavaliers, one person jumps into the other persons arms. If a pair is too slow or does the wrong action, then they are out.
5. Appointments (10-100 people)
At the start of the night, give each person an appointment card with a number of slots on it. These could be numbered 1, 2, 3, or they could have specific times on them. You then give your group 3 minutes to make their appointments.
At various stages of the night (or in a row), you then ask your kids to go and visit their various appointments, and ask three questions. These questions could be as simple as name, school and weekend activity, or any questions you choose.
This is also a great way to get your youth group into pairs.
6. Find Someone Who… (30-100 people)
This game involves giving everyone in your youth group a table with various boxes in it and a pen, they then have to go around your group and find someone for each box. That person then signs their name. This is great for getting to know random facts about everyone.
Whoever can fill in the whole table first wins.
I have created a sample table that you can use for your group (download here).
7. Toilet Paper (3-10 people)
Pass a roll of Toilet paper around your group, and ask everyone to take off as many pieces as they use in an average trip to the toilet. (for a less awkward game, just pass around M&Ms)
Then go round the circle again, and for each piece of toilet paper that a person has, they have to say one fact about themselves.
8. Remember Everything (10-40 people)
Ask everyone to find a partner. They then ask that partner 3 questions, such as name, school and weekend activity. You as the leader then ask one person to tell you the three facts about their partner.
Ask everyone to find another partner, and ask that partner the same three questions. Then ask somebody to remember all the facts about both of the partners they have had so far.
Ask everyone to find another partner, and ask that partner the same three questions. Then, for a prize, as somebody to remember all 9 facts about their partners. If anyone can remember that much then they definitely deserve a prize!
9. Fast Name Circle (5-100 people)
This is a simple one to end on. Everyone sits in a circle and you go round the circle and everyone says their name. You then time this process of everyone saying their name in a circle to see how fast you can go.
To add competition, split your group into two or more and make it a race. Competition is always great at uniting people.
Conclusion
There are 9 games that you can play to get to know everyone in your youth group. I hope you enjoyed them and remember to keep checking back at calumhenderson.com for more youth group games that you can play.
But for now, why not let me know… What are your favourite get to know you games for youth group?
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Calum,
We may try some of these games at our youth group girls night tonight (just to get the girls warmed up). I’ve done some of them before, but thanks for these suggestions! I also like line charades (like telephone & charades together).
Thanks Christie!
I hope the games work well for you.
If you don’t like Mafia cause it involves deceit, how can you justify playing 2 truths and 1 lie!?!
And I’ve played games similar to Chivalrous Dudes, and they can be very awkward…
Interesting list nonetheless. Happy Easter again!
Hey Tim, thanks for stopping by.
The reason I feel comfortable playing 2 truths 1 lie over mafia is because the lie in 2 truths 1 lie is very clear, there is no deception in that people don’t feel like they have personally deceived. This feeling can be felt in mafia, and also in games such as risk. I’m totally up for further discussion on this though.
In terms of the other games. I think any of them could be awkward if played in the wrong situation or if explained badly. Chivalrous Dudes would be best in a group where people at least partly know each other.
A very good explanation is key to reducing and eliminating awkwardness.
Happy Easter!
This is a helpful list. Though I’d like to note, I’ve been going to school with my 12 class-mates in our small, friendly school for 6 months and I STILL wouldn’t feel comfortable playing Chivalrous Dudes, even though I like the people in my class all right. So I guess it’s just kinda hard to imagine being comfortable with people who’d known each other even less time than that.
Still, nice list!
Thanks for the input Equa.
I’ve seen Chivalrous Dudes work quite well with people who don’t know each other. Having said that, some of the time there have been people who have just flat out refused to play it. But at least if you don’t want to play you can always make sure you get out early.
Probably good to gauge the group feeling before playing.
I don’t think anyone should ask kids to play chivalrous dudes; It’s rife for accusations of sexual harassment. Other games on here are much better.
Hi Diane, thanks for commenting.
I have seen chivalrous dudes been played in a safe way. But I would not recommend leaders playing with kids.
However, if you’re uncomfortable about playing it with your group, then please don’t. I would hate for anyone to get hurt playing any of these games.
Thanks for your input Diane.
Great ideas! If you have any youth that are Deaf you might need some ASL games to help them to feel included. It’s the good thing to do. I’m Deaf, so I know!
Hi Jeff, great point, thanks!
Calum, thanks so much for these ideas! I think my small group will definitely be doing 2 truths and a lie tonight. Thanks for the help!
Hi Rach, I’m very glad to help. Hope your small group went well!
Hey bro,
totally awesome as I am using Knights, Horses and Cavaliers at school on Wednesday and couldn’t remember the 3 different positions.
Cheers
Glad I could help man!
I like the toilet paper idea. Although I think I will use M&M’s (that way the kids get more than they would toilet paper). Great ideas
M&Ms probably are easy for kids and less embarrassing. I think it takes a special type of group to go for toilet paper!
Thanks for stopping by and commenting Victoria!
Thank You +
You’re welcome +