Outdoor activities for youth groups let kids connect and grow closer together. With fresh air and open space, preteens and teens can enjoy adventures while building friendships.
For outdoor activities that appeal to kids, try these creative ideas. From just-for-fun games to deeper team-building and get-to-know-you activities, these work in (almost) any kind of weather!
10 Outdoor Activities for Youth Groups
1. Capture the Flag with a Twist
Add variations to keep this game fresh. Instead of one flag per team, scatter multiple flags of different colors, each with different point values. Or try a “glow” version for evening or nighttime. Use glow sticks for flags and glow-in-the-dark tape or face paint for players.
Variations for bad weather: Set up a smaller version under a shelter or indoors if necessary. Use smaller objects to “capture” that are safe for close quarters.
Why it works: Teens love the thrill of strategy, teamwork, and competition. Adding twists keeps the activity exciting.
2. Outdoor Escape Room
Create an outdoor escape room with clues and puzzles hidden around a park or outdoor space. Then give each team a starting clue that leads to various stations. There they solve challenges to unlock a prize.
Example challenges: Puzzle clues written in invisible ink or lockboxes with combination codes. Or a mystery challenge where teens must solve a riddle about the youth group or ministry theme.
Why it works: This activity is engaging, challenging, and requires teams to work together, communicate, and problem-solve.
3. Human Foosball
Set up an oversized human foosball game! Use rope or bungee cords to create “rows” of players who are connected at the waist. They can only move side to side, just like the players on a foosball table. Create goal areas and use a soft ball or soccer ball for safe play.
Indoor option: Set this up in a large room or gym, with similar rows taped or marked off.
Why it works: Human foosball provides a hilarious twist on a classic game, encouraging team strategy, laughter, and bonding. Teens will love the goofy restrictions too.
4. Outdoor “Get-to-Know-You” Scavenger Hunt
Each participant must find someone who fits certain descriptions. Prepare a list with items like “Find someone who has traveled to another country.” “Find someone who plays an instrument.” Or “Find someone who has a birthday in the same month as you.” Participants then must find individuals who meet these criteria.
Why it works: This activity encourages conversation and connection. Group members discover fun facts about each other in a casual, light-hearted way.
5. Rock-Paper-Scissors Tournament
First, pairs face off in a round of Rock-Paper-Scissors. Then each winner continues on as a “champion,” and the person who loses becomes their “cheerleader,” following them around for future matches. As the tournament progresses, the cheer squads get larger until there’s a final showdown with two big teams cheering for the last competitors.
All-weather tip: This game can easily move under a shelter. Then teens can chat without worrying about the weather.
Why it works: The escalating excitement and team spirit make this a perfect high-energy icebreaker.
