Large Group Games
Rank Order
Divide into teams of 8-10. Have each team rank itself in order according to a topic (for example: age, birth date, height, etc). All teams rank according to the same topic. The team to finish first wins.
Wizards, Giants, Elves
A variation of rock, paper, scissors, the game needs plenty of running room. The playing area is a large rectangular shape with a centerline and "home" lines at either end. Divide the group into two teams and announce a time limit for the game (45 minutes). Each team chooses a "home" side, goes into a huddle there, and decides whether to be Elves, Wizards, or Giants for the first round. Throughout the game, each team's goal is to stay on the home side. Then, the two teams face each other at the centerline, each team standing in a line shoulder to shoulder. At a signal, each team acts out their choice: Elves bend over with their hands on their knees, Wizards stretch their arms out in front as if casting a spell, and Giants stand tall with their arms above their heads. The losing team turns and runs back to its own home line before the winning team members tag them. All who are tagged before they cross their home line must join the other team. Elves chase Wizards, Wizards chase Giants, and Giants chase Elves. Now, the teams (with their new members or less members) huddle and decide their choice for the next round. Play continues until time is up. The side with the most people at the end of the time wins.
Ha-Ha Game
Everyone lies down on their backs and places their head on the stomach of the person in front of them. The first person says "Ha" and each person adds a "Ha" until the last person. Try to make it to the end without laughing.
Animal Noise
Write the name of an animal on 2-3 slips of paper. Write the name of a different animal on 2-3 more slips of paper. Continue until there is a paper for each group member. Distribute the papers so that no one reads it except the recipient. Have the group spread out. Everyone must keep their eyes closed, make their animal noise, and use the sound to locate the other people who are the same animal.
Human Trivial Pursuit
Divide the group into two teams with people who know each other well on the same team. Give everybody six small papers and a pen. On each paper, they write a fact about themselves having to do with the corresponding trivial pursuit category: Geography, History, Entertainment, Art &Literature, Science & Nature, Sports & Leisure. (For example: Geography – "I once tried to dig a hole to China in my backyard.") Each team collects its papers and mixes them up well. One team reads one of its papers aloud and the other team together tries to figure out who the fact is about. Teams alternate turns and get a point for every right answer.
More:
How to Lead a Small Group
Components of a Small Group
Small Group Guidelines
Practical Solutions to Common Small Group Dilemmas
Leading an Effective Discussion
Relationship Builders
Build Your Own Bible Study
Worship Ideas for Small Groups
Prayer Ideas for Small Groups
Praying with Others
Feedback for Discussion Facilitators
