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Below I have compiled a list of 27 great outdoor games for youth ministry that you can do right now. Seriously, right now!
Outdoor games for youth ministry are a great way to enjoy the good weather, burn off some energy, form new bonds, and break up a youth group session. When it comes time for camps and other summer activities, having a list of outdoor games for youth is big asset for filling up time and keeping your students engaged and occupied.
As a youth minister, I know we sometimes run behind schedule, and before you know it, youth group is about to start and we still don’t have a game picked. If that is often the case for you, then you must check out my other post 50 no prep youth group games (which is a big list of indoor, outdoor, icebreakers, and more).
27 Amazingly Simple Outdoor Games For Youth Ministry (of course they are little or no prep)
1. SPUD (with my special instructions)
I love this game and so will your youth. Seriously, super fun and a great way to incorporate all kids in your group.
Equipment: a
2. Human Knot
This game will really bring your youth group together as everyone together makes a knot and then tries to untangle it without letting go of each other.
Equipment: None. Space: Open Space. Number of Youth Group Participants: 5+
3. Blob
One player is “it” and they try to catch someone- anyone – everyone!
Equipment: None. Space: Open Field. Number of Youth Group Participants: 8+
4. Manhunt
Reverse Hide And Seek.
Equipment: None. Space: Outdoors.
5. Blind Man’s Bluff
Basically, it is blindfolded tag.
Equipment: Blindfold. Space: Open field with nothing in it. Number of Youth Group Participants: 5+
Blind Man’s Bluff Instructions.
Outdoor Games For Youth Ministry
6. Kick The Can
A combo between hide and seek and tag.
Equipment: a can. Space: Outdoors. Number of Youth Group Participants: 5+
7. Capture The Flag
Team-based strategy game.
Equipment: two flags (can really be anything). Space: Outdoors. Number of Youth Group Participants: 8+
8. Four Square Tournament
A classic and beloved game for youth ministry but as a tournament, your kids will love it!
Equipment: A bouncy ball and something to make the four square divisions like chalk or tape. Space: Outdoor on concrete. Number of Youth Group Participants: 5+
Four Square Tournament Instructions
9. Everyone Is It
Everyone Is It – Super fun and a great, I mean a great way, to burn energy! A tag game that is for everyone.
Equipment: none. Space: Open field. Number of Youth Group Participants: 5+
Everyone Is It Instructions Click Here.
Outdoor Games For Youth Ministry
10. Freeze Tag
Good old freeze tag, you might be surprised how much fun youth will have playing games they played as elementary kids.
Equipment: none. Space: Open field. Number of Youth Group Participants: 5+
11. Red Rover
Again, another throwback that your youth will have fun doing, but in order to really play this
Equipment: none. Space: Open field. Number of Youth Group Participants: 12+
12. Silent Ball
This will get your group to quiet down and test their ability to stay quiet while playing a game.
Equipment: A Ball. Space: Open field. Number of Youth Group Participants: 6+
13. Kickball
To play this game right, you really need a big group of youth.
Equipment: A kickball and four bases. Space: Open field. Number of Youth Group Participants: 14+
14. Crab Soccer
Playing soccer in a crab position.
Equipment: A ball and two goals. Space: Open field. Number of Youth Group Participants: 10+
15. 21 Football
“The object of the game is for teams to score 21 points by completing passes in different areas of the field.”
Equipment: A ball and two goals. Space: Open field. Number of Youth Group Participants: 12+
Outdoor Games For Youth Ministry
16. Defenders of the Cones
Each team tries to knock over the other team’s cone by throwing a ball.
Equipment: balls, cones, and hula hoops. Space: Open space. Number of Youth Group Participants: 10+
Defenders of the Cones Instructions
17. Dragon Tail
“Dragon Tag is an action-based game that is like tag, but with a twist! Teams of 4-8 people form “dragons” by linking elbows and attempt to grab the “tail” of another team’s dragon. Last team remaining wins.”
Equipment: None
18. Alligator Swamp
A game where players try to get across the playing field without touching the lava.
Equipment: Potato sacks or towels/sheets or cardboard. Space: Open field. Number of Youth Group Participants: 10+
19. Spin Tag
Pull out a timer and have all the kids assemble in a field and spin for a minute, including “it”. When the minute is up “it” tries to catch everyone they can. Be careful to have everyone spread out so they don’t hurt each other while spinning.
Equipment: None. Space: Open Field.
Outdoor Games For Youth Ministry
20. Poop Deck
A fast-paced game where youth run to different parts of the “ship” as fast as they can to avoid elimination.
A personal favorite of mine for middle school youth because they love yelling out poop deck! It’s a good game for high school students too.
Equipment: Boundary markers. Space: Open Space. Number of Youth Group Participants: 5+
21. Trust Walk
Great game for building unity and trust in a group.
Equipment: Blindfolds. Space: Open Space. Number of Youth Group Participants: 3+
22. Chain Tag
Once tagged, you form a human running chain until everyone is caught.
Equipment: None. Space: Open Field. Number of Youth Group Participants: 5+ but the more the better!
23. Hit The Door
This is a version of Ghosts in the Graveyard.
Equipment: None. Space: Outdoors best at night. Number of Youth Group Participants: 5+
24. Dodge Ball
A favorite of many teens especially boys. It’s important to note that you caution everyone to not intensely throw the ball as it can really hurt people.
Equipment: Ball. Space: Open space. Number of Youth Group Participants: 10+
Outdoor Games For Youth Ministry
25. Burning Ball
A larger group ball game.
Equipment: Ball, cones, and a basket. Space: Open space. Number of Youth Group Participants: 12+
26. Zombie Apocalypse
“The goal of this game is for the Survivors to get back to the starting point without being tagged by a zombie”
Equipment: None. Space: Open Space. Number of Youth Group Participants: 9+ (but its
Zombie Apocalypse Instructions
27. Army Dodgeball
A fun twist on dodgeball.
Equipment: Dodgeballs. Space: Open Field. Number of Youth Group Participants: 10+
Have fun playing outside!
For more Youth Ministry resources check out these great posts:
101 Conversation Starters For Ministry
128 Small Group Questions For Youth Group
450 Lesson Topics For Youth Group
