{"id":440158,"date":"2024-01-12T13:00:46","date_gmt":"2024-01-12T18:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/growcurriculum.org\/go?p=440158"},"modified":"2025-11-04T04:16:54","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T09:16:54","slug":"15-no-prep-indoor-games-for-your-churchs-childrens-ministry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/growcurriculum.org\/go\/15-no-prep-indoor-games-for-your-churchs-childrens-ministry\/","title":{"rendered":"15 No-Prep Indoor Games for Your Church’s Children’s Ministry"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re like most kids ministry people, you probably have a love\/hate relationship with games. They\u2019re a necessary ingredient to an engaging kids service, but between the supplies, the prep, and the instructions, they can take so much effort.<\/em> We get it. So here are 15 games you can play any time with almost no supplies or preparation needed. <\/strong>Have fun!<\/p>\n

HEAD, SHOULDERS, KNEES, CUP<\/strong><\/h4>\n

You can play this simple game with just a few students upfront or with your whole group. All you need are some disposable cups.<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Split everyone into pairs. Put a cup on the floor between each pair.<\/li>\n
  • Call out a series of commands (\u201cHead! Shoulders! Knees!\u201d) and have kids place their hands on the part of their body you just shouted.<\/li>\n
  • To end the round, yell, \u201cCup!\u201d The first person from each pair to grab the cup from the ground wins.<\/li>\n
  • Keep playing until only one player remains.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    POCKET SCAVENGER HUNT<\/strong><\/h4>\n

    Make a list ahead of random objects kids or leaders might have on them (like a shoe, sock, crayon, or phone). Then…<\/p>\n

      \n
    • Split into teams that include both kids and adults.<\/li>\n
    • Call out items, then award a point to each team for every item they can find.<\/li>\n
    • You could also play this game, \u201calphabet style,\u201d where each team must find an object that starts with each letter of the alphabet. (This version works best for older kids who can spell.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      SIT DOWN IF … <\/strong><\/h4>\n

      In this game, you\u2019ll call out a series of commands starting with, \u201cSit down if…\u201d You don\u2019t need to prep anything for this game, but you can make a list of ideas, so you don\u2019t need to make them up on the spot.<\/p>\n

        \n
      • Have everyone stand up.<\/li>\n
      • Call out a series of \u201csit down\u201d commands until only one person remains. You might tell them to sit down if they are wearing a blue shirt, have their hair in a ponytail, have a younger sibling, or if they ate cereal for breakfast.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        HEADS OR TAILS<\/strong><\/h4>\n

        All you need for this game is a single coin. Then…<\/p>\n

          \n
        • Have everyone stand up.<\/li>\n
        • Ask them to pick heads or tails. If they choose heads, they\u2019ll need to put their hands on their heads. If they choose tails, they must put their hands on their hips.<\/li>\n
        • Flip the coin.<\/li>\n
        • If it\u2019s heads, all the heads win and advance to the next round, and the tails are out, or vice versa. Keep playing until one or a few kids remain.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          THIS OR THAT<\/strong><\/h4>\n

          This is a spin on the classic game Simon Says, except the leader says, \u201cDo this …\u201d instead of, \u201cSimon says …\u201d<\/p>\n

            \n
          • When the leader starts a command with, \u201cDo this,\u201d the kids should repeat it, but if the leader starts a command with, \u201cDo that,\u201d the kids should stay motionless. If a kid misses a motion, they sit down.<\/li>\n
          • Move fast and add fun motions, like jumping jacks, patting your head, spinning in circles, or quacking like a duck.<\/li>\n
          • Keep playing until there are only a few winners left.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            BEACH BALL (OR BALLOON) TOSS<\/strong><\/h4>\n

            For this game, you only need a few balloons or beach balls from your storage closet. You can play with any number of students.<\/p>\n

              \n
            • Split kids into teams.<\/li>\n
            • Tell everyone their feet are frozen to the floor and can\u2019t be moved.<\/li>\n
            • Toss a balloon or beach ball to each team. See which team can bat it and keep it in the air the longest without moving their feet.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              SWITCH IT UP <\/strong><\/h4>\n

              All you need for this game is a nice open space.<\/p>\n

                \n
              • Split kids into two teams. Have them all stand in a line against a wall.<\/li>\n
              • Call out random facts like, \u201cYou love ice cream\u201d or \u201cYou\u2019ve been to the beach.\u201d If the fact applies to them, have them switch walls and run to the other side.<\/li>\n
              • There\u2019s no winner in this game! Keep playing until everyone\u2019s tired, or you\u2019re out of facts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n \n\t\t