In the realm of youth engagement, the indoors can be just as exciting as the great outdoors! Whether it's a rainy day, a chilly evening, or simply just indoor fun, there are so many activities waiting to be enjoyed.

In this article, we’ll embark on a journey to uncover the very best indoor youth group activities, offering a diversity of options sure to suit all of the members in your youth group one way or another. Maybe you could implement some of these fun activities at youth camp this year!

Competitive Games for Your Youth Ministry

Check out these indoor youth group games for the competitive members of your youth group!

1. Board Games Tournament

A board game tournament can be an excellent youth activity for building fellowship! Engaging in friendly competition and collaborative play encourages communication, teamwork, and bonding among participants.

Organize a board games tournament with games like Monopoly, Scrabble, Life, etc.! Maybe have your youth bring in their favorite board game from home? Divide the group into teams and let them compete against each other.

Tournaments provide opportunities for youth to practice good sportsmanship, whether they win or lose. The excitement of competition, the thrill of victory, and the memories made will last a lifetime!

2. Card Game Tournament

Beyond the simple enjoyment of gameplay, a card game tournament is sure to create a sense of camaraderie and unity among youth. Through gameplay, participants learn the importance of treating others with kindness and respect, even in competition.

Additionally, card games often require strategic thinking and decision-making, allowing youth to practice stewardship of their talents and abilities.

Choose a variety of card games to include in the tournament to cater to different preferences and skill levels. Popular options might include Uno, War, Spades, or Hearts.

3. Minute to Win It Games

Minute to Win It games are designed to be fast-paced, entertaining, and easy to understand. They often involve simple challenges or tasks that can be completed in under a minute, making them perfect for capturing the attention and enthusiasm of youth.

These games can be adapted to accommodate various skill levels and abilities, ensuring that everyone in the youth group can participate and feel included. Not every attempt at a Minute to Win It challenge will be successful, but that's part of the fun!

These games teach youth the importance of perseverance and resilience in the face of setbacks! Set up a series of quick and fun challenges inspired by the TV show "Minute to Win It." Examples include stacking cups, cookie face, or balloon pop.

Pop Culture Party Games for Your Youth Group

You know those kids that are always referencing the pop culture icons of today like Harry Styles, check out the activities below!

4. Trivia Night

Trivia nights offer a healthy and friendly competitive environment where youth can test their knowledge against their peers. It provides an opportunity for youth to learn new facts about a wide range of topics.

Host a trivia night with questions on various topics such as movies, music, history, and pop culture. You could even host a Bible trivia night! Engaging in Bible trivia challenges youth to deepen their knowledge of the Bible as well as provides an opportunity for them to learn more about scripture, biblical characters, stories, and teachings in a fun and interactive way. You can even create teams and offer prizes for the winners.

5. Karaoke Night

Karaoke encourages youth to step out of their comfort zones and showcase their talents in a supportive environment.

Karaoke night creates lasting memories and shared experiences that youth will cherish long after the event is over. Whether it's laughing at each other's performances, cheering on friends, or belting out favorite tunes together, these moments strengthen the bonds of friendship within the youth group.

Set up a karaoke machine or use a karaoke app and let the youth showcase their singing talents.

6. Movie Marathon

Movie marathons can feature a variety of films to cater to different tastes and preferences within the youth group. Whether it's classic comedies, action-packed blockbusters, or inspiring dramas, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Choose a theme or series of movies and have a movie marathon complete with popcorn and snacks.

Arts and Crafts for Your Youth Ministry

Do you have any Van Goghs, or Bob Ross' in your youth group? Check out the activities below to explore the future artist's talents in your youth group!

7. DIY Crafts Station

Setting up a DIY craft station for a youth group can be a wonderful way to encourage creativity and promote community engagement. By providing a variety of materials and project ideas, youth are empowered to explore their artistic talents and express themselves in a supportive and inclusive environment.

Set up a craft station with supplies for simple DIY projects like friendship bracelets, painted rocks, or any other homemade crafts.

8. Cooking/Baking Challenge

We've all seen Gordon Ramsey's Master Chef cooking competition! ("Shut it down! Wake up! What are you doing?") Cooking and baking challenges encourage teamwork and collaboration as participants work together to plan, prepare, and execute their recipes. They provide valuable opportunities for youth to develop practical life skills such as meal planning, food preparation, time management, and organization.

Divide the group into teams and challenge them to a cooking or baking competition. Provide basic ingredients and let their creativity shine.

9. Indoor Gardening/Flower Arranging

Indoor gardening provides a hands-on learning experience for youth, allowing them to actively participate in every step of the gardening process, from planting seeds to caring for plants and observing their growth.

Taking care of indoor plants teaches youth about responsibility and accountability as they learn to nurture and care for living organisms. It instills a sense of stewardship for the environment and a deeper appreciation for nature.

Set up a small indoor gardening station with pots, soil, seeds, and flowers. Teach the youth how to plant and care for indoor plants or create mini terrariums, as well as create beautiful bud vase arrangements.

Indoor Sports for Your Youth Group

Do have any sports fanatics in your youth group? Check out the activities below!

10. Indoor Sports Tournament

Sports tournaments encourage teamwork and collaboration as youth work together towards a common goal. Organize an indoor sports tournament with games like dodgeball, ping pong, bean bag toss, limbo, tag, and relay races.

Above all, indoor sports tournaments are a fun and enjoyable way for youth to spend time together. The thrill of competition, the cheers from spectators, and the camaraderie among teammates create memorable experiences that strengthen bonds and build lasting friendships.

Be sure to check out our article on "Best Outdoor Youth Activities" for outdoor games for your youth group to enjoy on the next sunny day!

Simple (No Prep or Props) Indoor Games for Youth Group

If you need a spur-of-the-moment, no-props-needed great game for your youth ministry check these out! These are perfect for smaller groups and fun, team building opportunities.

11. Two truths and a lie

This is a classic youth group game!

Each participant shares three statements about themselves: two of which are true, and one of which is a lie. The other participants try to guess which statement is a lie. This is a great icebreaker game for getting to know each other! Check out our article on "Youth Group Icebreaker Games" if you need more ideas!

12. Grandma's footsteps

A fun game where one player is designated as "Grandma". Grandma stands at one end of the playing area (or in a designated spot indoors), facing away from the other players. The rest of the players line up at the opposite end of the playing area.

The players at the opposite end of the playing area call out together, "What's the time, Grandma?" and she responds with a time, such as "It's three o'clock." Upon hearing the time, the other players take a corresponding number of steps toward Grandma. For example, if Grandma says "It's three o'clock," the players take three steps forward.

While the other players are taking steps toward her, Grandma can turn around to face them. Everyone must freeze and stop moving when Grandma turns around. If Grandma catches any players moving, those players must return to the starting line.

The game continues with the players asking Grandma for the time and taking steps forward until one of the players manages to tag Grandma without being caught moving. That player becomes the new Grandma for the next round.

13. Pass the emotion

A variation of the classic "Hot Potato" game, but instead of passing an object, players pass around an imaginary emotion or feeling.

Have all participants sit in a circle. Play some music or set a timer for a predetermined length of time. Choose an initial emotion or feeling to start with (e.g., excitement, nervousness, laughter). The first player begins by miming or expressing this emotion in some way (e.g., through facial expressions, gestures, or sounds).

As the music plays or the timer runs, each participant continues to express and pass along the emotion they received from the previous player. After a certain amount of time, pause the music or stop the timer. Choose a new emotion or feeling to start passing around the circle.

Repeat the process, passing different emotions around the circle until everyone has had a chance to participate. It's a super fun and hilarious game!

14. Boppity bop bop

A fast-paced game that's perfect for parties, gatherings, or icebreaker activities.

Have all participants form a circle facing each other. Select one person who's in charge of the game. This person will start the game and set the pace for the actions.

The leader begins by clapping their hands or tapping a rhythm on their legs while saying "Bippity Boppity Boo" (or "Bobbity Bop Bop" depending on the version). The rhythm should be fast-paced and catchy.

The game continues with each player taking turns maintaining the rhythm and saying the phrase. After a few repetitions of the rhythm and phrase, the leader points to another player in the circle. That player must then continue the rhythm and phrase exactly as the leader did. If a player fails to keep up with the rhythm, says the wrong phrase, or hesitates, they are out of the game. The last person remaining is the winner!

15. Split the difference

A simple and fun game that challenges players to find the middle ground between two options.

Gather a group of players together. This game works well with any number of participants. The game leader presents the group with two options, preferences, or choices. These options can be anything from food preferences to movie choices to personal preferences.

Each player privately selects which option they prefer from the two presented. They keep their choice secret from the other players. After all players have made their selections, the game leader reveals the choices made by each player.

The goal is for players to guess the "middle" or most popular choice between the two options. The game leader calculates the middle or most popular choice by splitting the difference between the total number of players and the number of players who chose each option. For example, if there are 10 players and 6 chose option A while 4 chose option B, the middle choice would be option A.

Players take turns guessing which option they think is the middle choice. They can base their guess on their knowledge of the group's preferences, their own choice, or simply by taking a guess. Once all players have guessed, the game leader reveals the middle choice based on the calculations.

Need More Youth Group Games and Activities?

Check out our other articles for more ideas for your youth group:

• 25 Perfect Youth Group Icebreaker Games
• 15 Fun Outdoor Youth Group Activities for Everyone
• 23 Super-Soaked Youth Group Water Games
• 33 Impactful Service Projects for Youth Groups

Embracing Indoor Adventures: Cultivating Connection, Creativity, and Community

As we draw our exploration of indoor youth activities to a close, one thing becomes abundantly clear: the indoors are bursting with endless possibilities for fun, growth, and connection.

From the laughter-filled games that bring friends closer together to the creative workshops that unlock hidden talents, the realm of indoor activities offers something for everyone.

Matt Church Engagement