Regular reader Ralf wrote in with this game. It's a very simple paper snowball fight that's a lot of fun! Numbers: 10 and over, enough for two equal teams Suitable for: Any age Preparation time: None! Venue: Large room or hall Safety First: As you will be throwing paper around the room, watch out for faces! Equipment needed: Lots of scrap paper Optional tape Optional Buckets The game: Ralf explains: We have two teams in a ...

A silly, sticky Christmas-themed game! Numbers: Up to around 10 at a time. Suitable for: Ages 8 and upwards. Preparation time: 5 minutes. Venue: A large room or small hall. Safety First: The game involves putting a sticky product on facial skin. Check with young people if they have any allergies or skin irritations before they take part. Equipment needed: A sticky spread like honey, jam or chocolate spread. Marshmallow spread can work well ...

Image: Ice mask, C.T. Madigan / photograph by Frank Hurley on Flickr A dressing-up game with a great twist: ice! Numbers: 10 or under. If you have many more, play as teams where they nominate a player. Suitable for: Ages 12 and up due to the physical nature of the game. Preparation time: At least a day in advance (for freezing the clothing). Venue: A large room or small hall. Safety First: The game can involve some physical pushing and ...

This is a silly adaptation of the classic volleyball game except players must remain on their knees at all times! Numbers: groups of around 10 or over (2 teams of equal numbers are needed). Suitable for: ages 7 and up! Preparation time: under 5 minutes. Venue: large room or small hall. Safety First: As participants are all sitting on the floor, the only risk is from over-enthusiastic individuals waving their arms around too much. Try and ...

This is a really simple and silly game that is a lot of fun for children, young people and adults alike! Numbers: groups of 10 or over. Suitable for: ages 5 and up! Preparation time: 5-10 mins Venue: any large room or hall Safety First: watch out for people running into each other, and be aware of the potential for accidental touching of other people's bottoms! Equipment needed: strips of paper! (A4 length, 30cm by 5cm should be ...

This is a simple adaptation of 10 pin bowling which is very easy to play, but a fun way of involving everyone in a group. Numbers: groups of 11 or over (10 to act as pins and 1 to bowl). Suitable for: anyone. Preparation time: none. Venue: any open space or hall. Safety First: Despite having large exercise balls thrown at each other, this is quite a gentle game. Watch out for people accidently diving into each other. Equipment needed: Tape ...

Sometimes called Benchball, this is a classic youth work team game that has similarities to netball and basketball. Numbers: groups of around 10 or over (even numbers make the teams fair). Suitable for: anyone. Preparation time: none. Venue: any open space or hall. Safety First: This is a gentle physical game that requires people to stand on a chair or bench. Care should be taken to avoid falls. Equipment needed: Two sturdy chairs or ...

This is an adaptation of the familiar children’s game ‘Musical Chairs’ that makes it more physical and exciting for teenagers! Numbers: groups of around 10 or over. Best with a large group of 50. Suitable for: young people aged 11 and over. Preparation time: 5 minutes Venue: a medium to large sized hall. Safety First: The game involves some running and some physical contact. Equipment needed: Enough chairs for each person playing ...

This is quite a physical game that requires some contact but is a lot of fun. Numbers: groups of around 6 or over. Works best with around 20 Suitable for: older children and teens (8-18's) although many adults enjoy this too! Preparation time: none Venue: suitable for a small hall or area Safety First: this game involves people knocking into each other, so has a slight risk of injury (although we've never had a problem). If you have ...

This is a fun adaptation of the familiar children's game 'Duck, Duck, Goose' that makes it slightly more interesting! Numbers: groups of around 6 or over. Suitable for: older children and younger teens (8-14’s) but some older teens might enjoy it too! Preparation time: none Venue: suitable for a small hall or especially outside due to the water Safety First: watch out for water on the floor when people are running around. Non-slippery ...