Need outside-the-box youth group event ideas? Any youth ministry that meets even semi-regularly burns through tons of activities. Events for smaller churches are in especially high demand.
Youth leaders can never have enough material. That includes devotions and talks, games and icebreakers, fundraisers and outreach events. To spark your creativity, we’ve assembled a variety of youth group event ideas. Smaller churches can adapt most of these activities too.
Choose ideas that fit the size and personality of your group. And insert biblical lessons and truths whenever possible. Trying new activities keeps kids interested and coming back. Plus, it prevents you from doing the same stuff on repeat.
Enjoy these eight activities! Then let us know your tips for awesome youth group events.
8 Great Youth Group Event Ideas
Check out all these creative, teen-friendly events.
1. Do-It-Yourself Escape Room
First up: Escape rooms are a great way to bond with your youth group. But they can be expensive and hard to find. Now you can download materials and create your own customized Escape Room or Puzzle Room. Look for concepts that require minimum supplies and lead to maximum team-building. When facing challenges, kids to learn to work together. Plus, they can experience success as a team or small group.
2. Mystery Dinner
Next add a touch of mystery to your next youth group meal with coded menus. For every available item, use a description that will get kids guessing. The random nature of participants’ selections adds intrigue and laughter to the gathering. This idea works especially well for holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas.
3. What Is Bible Jeopardy?
Take your Bible Quiz event to the next level with a Jeopardy!-style game board. First, prepare material in the TV show’s answer-first format. Then have players ring in with the correct question. As the host, you can interview “contestants” and hum the theme music for authenticity. Playing Bible Jeopardy is a great way to review lesson material and Scripture verses.
4. Cardboard Skee-ball
Kick up your youth group’s game time with a homemade Skee-ball “machine.” Enlist creative kids to build a contraption out of cardboard. They can even add balloon “lights” on the side. In addition to adding fun to group meetings, Skee-ball is a hit at church carnivals and youth fundraisers.
