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Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
This is a clapping rhythm game requiring lots of concentration. Don't play it with more than 20 people, or it gets a bit dull. All players sit in a circle. Beginning with the leader, count off around the circle. The first four players are Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, then count 1, 2, 3 and so on. All players slap their knees twice then clap twice. On the first two beats, say your own name or number twice. On the second two beats, say another name or number. That person must respond on the next two beats and continue the pattern eg
"Matthew Matthew, Three Three"
"Three Three, Seven Seven"
"Seven Seven, John John"
"John John, Eleven Eleven"
...and so on
If anyone misses a beat or says a number that isn't in the game, they go to the end of the line (if there are 20 people playing they would become 16). Everyone with a higher number than that person moves up one number. This is the tricky part--because every time someone slips up, your number could change depending where you are sitting. If Matthew slips up, Mark becomes Matthew, Luke becomes Mark, John becomes Luke and One becomes John (Matthew goes to the end). No one is eliminated in the game and it can be played as long as it holds the groups interest.
and finally...
The all-time-favourite almost-never-fails best-youth-group-game I know...
Wave, Wave, Wanted (recommended age group, 10-40)
Sunday evenings in an empty church building is THE BEST time and place to play this game. It's also possible to play it in a retreat centre or a big house, if you are the only folks there. You need a pretty big playing area with lots of rooms, nooks, crannies, furniture etc. Be very clear which areas are out of bounds. Play it when it is dark outside. Turn out lights in rooms but leave hall, stairwell etc. lights on. The idea is to have the whole playing area dim, but not totally dark. This is like hide and seek, but unlike regular hide and seek, the game keeps going. Players do not have to keep coming in and going out again while someone counts.
All players hide. One player ("it") waits about three minutes in an out of bounds area (leader's office?) then goes off to search. If you are found by "it" (and they have to identify you by name, not just "hey you behind the couch") then you have to leave your hiding place and wander around the playing area calling "Wave, wave wanted". As you pass by other people's hiding places, and as they hear you calling, they poke out a hand and wave at you. Once you've got a wave, you can go and find a new hiding spot. Meanwhile, "it" just keeps on looking (silently). When a player has been caught for the second time, that player becomes "It" and "it" now becomes a player and can go and hide. You don't have to stop the game and call everyone in when you change who is "it". Players (hiding) can tell who "it" is because he is the one walking around in complete silence, not calling "wave wave wanted". Play for a pre-determined time (half an hour works well, but our youth group could spend the whole two hour meeting playing this if I let them!)
Hints:
The game works best if players hide alone or with one other person (perhaps nearby, not in the same hiding spot). If players hide all together, once they are found there will be no-one to wave to them so the game kind of grinds to a halt and must be restarted.
"It" must remain TOTALLY SILENT and is not allowed to cheat by calling "wave wave wanted" to get people to reveal their hiding spots. "It" is also not allowed to follow around other players who are looking for waves.
Where to hide? Universally, youth groups in my experience have ALWAYS wanted to include the church worship space in the hiding area. When explaining the game, the first question is inevitably "Can we hide in the church?!" I think this is a good thing, if they respect the space and understand the boundaries (you may want to make the sanctuary off limits). There is something solemn yet exciting about being in the church space - children and youth understand its' sacredness and mystery. It is wonderful for children and youth to "own" the space and be comfortable there. Children's joy is play and, given certain boundaries, I think it is appropriate for children to play in the worship space (if there is no one else using it). You MUST talk about it with the priest or minister beforehand (yes, that's the voice of experience talking there, oops). I am open to sharing my theological reflections about children and play in the worship space - send me an email at the Ask and Imagine address. Not all games would be appropriate in church, this one includes moving slowly, silently and being quiet small dark spaces, none of which are irreverent activities. It's a good discussion point afterwards to talk about why they think it is neat to be in the church on their own. ("did God play too?")
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