15 Game Ideas for Home and Social Distancing
The steady stream of breaking news and disruptions to normal life threatens to wear us down if we’re not careful. Urgent global events command our attention and our ongoing prayers. This hardly feels like a time for having fun; but what if we told you games are vital right now? This is especially true for younger children.
As you find new ways to disciple the kids in your care, don’t forget to have fun. Games can be played safely during the pandemic, keeping social distancing restrictions in mind. Whether you are having in-person Awana at church, virtual Awana, a combination or are investing in home discipleship, our friends at Awana Canada have compiled a list of 15 fun and safe activities for you to do.
Hint: Game can be played in lanes/lines rather than around the Awana Game Square to keep players separated.
Races and Relays
1 Walking race – Each player holds one newspaper in each hand. When the whistle blows, players must lay their newspapers alternately on the floor in front of them, stepping on each one as they go. Players race the length of the floor and back to the starting point.
2 Bubble gum relay – Teams stand in separate corners of the playing area. The first player on each team unwraps a piece of bubble gum and blows a bubble. Then, the next person on the team does the same. When each person has blown a bubble, everyone sits down to show that their team has finished the “relay.”
3 Balloon bust relay – Players line up by teams at one end of the playing area. Each player on a team is given a balloon that has not yet been blown up. At the starting whistle, the first person on each team runs to the opposite end of the playing area, blows up his or her balloon, and sits on it to pop it. The player then runs back to the starting line. As soon as this player crosses the starting line, the next person on the team runs to the opposite end of the playing area, blows up the balloon, sits on it to pop it, and returns to the starting line. The first team to finish wins.
4 North and South America – Designate three lines that run the width of the playing area. A line at one end is North America; the line at the opposite side is South America; the line down the center is Central America. The players line up straddling the center line. One person who stands outside the playing area is the caller. When this person calls out one of the Americas, everyone must run across that line. The last person to cross the line is eliminated and must leave the playing area. The caller continues. If the caller calls the same line that the players are already on and anyone runs off the line, that player is eliminated. The last player(s) left standing can earn points. Or play until just one person is left. That person gets to be the caller for another round of play.
5 Red light/green light – Players line up at one end of the playing area, all facing the center, while standing a double arm’s length apart. A caller is in the center some distance from the players. The caller faces away from the players and yells, “Green light!” The players advance toward the center as far as they are able before the caller turns around and yells, “Red light!” Anyone caught advancing after the caller says red light must return to the starting line. Play continues in the same manner until someone crosses the finish line. The first person to do so takes the place of the caller. Everyone else goes back to the starting line and play resumes in the same manner as before.
Quick Competitions
6 Shot put – Use regular shot-put rules, but substitute a sponge for the shot. Throw the sponge from the starting line. The person with the longest distance is the winner.
7 Bean toss – Each player gets 10 dry beans. Standing behind their starting line, they throw the beans into a jar about six feet away. The team with the most beans in the jar wins.
8 Paper plate discus – Each player throws a paper plate. The farthest one wins.
9 Bounce balls – Each player attempts to bounce three to five balls into a box from a distance. The box should not be too big or small. Each ball in gets a point.
10 Bean bag toss – Lay a hula hoop on the ground a designated distance away. Try to toss a bean bag into a hula hoop.
11 Balloon toss – Who can keep their balloon in the air the longest? Who can pop it first?
12 Kick your shoe – Everyone at the starting line kicks off their shoes, then runs and puts them on. The team that completes this first wins. To make it fair for everyone, establish a line the shoes must cross when kicked off.
13 Scavenger hunt – Find articles around the house!
Bible Verse Memory
14 Thumbs up, thumbs down – Someone reads a Bible reference and a verse. Kids, with eyes closed, put a thumb up if they think the verse matches the reference or down if they think it is wrong.
15 Make a mistake – Someone reads a reference and verse but makes a mistake. Kids have to find the mistake and correct it.
For more game ideas and supplies, see:
Five Themes – Find the Bible Verse
Leave us a comment and tell us what family games you like to play.
The Awana Editorial team is a group of people passionate about child discipleship and the equipping of leaders for the advancement of the kingdom. We have a breadth of experience in children’s ministry, and our heart beats with the stories of what God is doing around the world. We have an affinity for salty snacks and the occasional sweet treat, and we believe that everything is better with a good cup of coffee!
