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Here are 8 easy games to play when your Sunday school lesson is too short or the preacher has been inspired and gone over time.
Most Sunday school teachers experience that moment of panic when they come to the end of their planned activities and realize the preacher is still preaching.
Instead of letting anxiety get the best of you as you realize the impending chaos, try these low-prep, no-cost games to fill the time.
Keep the supplies needed for all 8 games (along with a printed copy of this blog post!) in one “Emergency Game Bin” in your classroom so you’re always ready.
Low-Prep, No-Cost Sunday School Games
Here are 8 easy games to play for those times when the lesson is too short or the preacher has been inspired and gone over time.
These are activities that are my go-to for when we have extra time and to keep their attention before the children begin their usual chaotic game of tag.
The following games are …
- simple to explain
- adaptable for different class sizes, ages, and abilities
- require few supplies
1. Keep It Up
Supplies Needed
- Balloon
- Floor space
Directions
- Blow up a balloon and have the kids try to keep it from hitting the floor.
Modifications
- Younger groups: Blow up a balloon for each child.
- Older groups: Set a timer and see how long or how many passes they can go before it hits the ground.
- 2-4 kids: Use tape to make a line on the floor. Have the kids hit the balloon back and forth without it touching the ground.
2. Ball Toss
Supplies Needed
- Ball(s)
- Bin or cup
Directions
- Have kids take turns trying to toss the ball into the bin.
Modifications
- Change the difficulty based on your kids’ abilities. Try throwing a paper ball into an empty trash bin or a ping pong ball into a cup.
3. Four Corners
Supplies Needed
- Large floor space
Directions
- Call out a direction (north, south, east, west) and the kids must run to the designated corner of the room. If they go to the wrong corner, they are out.
- Make sure to establish the directional corners at the start of the game.
- This game is great if your class has become restless and has energy that they need to run off.
Modifications
- Label the 4 corners something different (animals, food)
- Quieter activity for an older group: The caller (with eyes covered) allows everyone 15-30 seconds to get to any corner. Once the time limit is up, the caller (still with eyes covered) points to a corner, and anyone in that corner has been caught and is out of the game. The idea is for the runners to be quiet and sneaky so the caller won’t hear them.
4. Key Grab
Supplies Needed
- One set of keys (the more keys, the better)
- Chair
- Blindfold
Directions
- Grab a chair and place it in the middle of the room.
- Place the keys underneath the chair.
- Choose the person who will sit on the chair as the “guard.”
- Place the blindfold on the guard.
- Have everyone else create a circle around the chair. This works better than a line because the guard can’t be sure from where the grabber is standing.
- One at a time, point to the person who will be the “grabber.”
- The “grabber” makes their way as quietly as possible to get to the keys and bring them back to their starting spot without the “guard” hearing them.
- In order to be “caught” by the guard, the guard has to point to the location they think the “grabber” is or where they heard the sound. The “guard” only gets 2-3 chances to catch them.
5. Don’t Wake The Giant
Supplies Needed
- Play food
- Toys
Directions
- Have one person lay on the floor and surround them with toys or play food.
- Explain to the others that they are to try and grab the toys that the “giant” is guarding without “waking” or disturbing the giant. *It always gains laughs if you have a toy on the giant’s head or in their open hands.
- One by one, they try to grab one toy and bring it back without disturbing the “giant.”
- Play until all the food or toys are collected, or the “giant” has been “awakened” too many times.
Modifications
- If needed, the giant can be “stirred” and switch positions but can fall back asleep, giving players a few more chances to collect items.
- For a small group, play until everyone has had a turn to be the “giant.”
6. Human Knot
Supplies Needed
- At least 4 kids
Directions
- Have everyone stand in the circle, facing inwards.
- Have everyone grab the hands of someone else. It works best if they grab hands with 2 different people, crossing their arms.
- They then have to untangle themselves without letting go of each other’s hands.
7. How Long Is A Minute?
Supplies Needed
- Timer or a clock
Directions
- Appoint one person as the “timer” who watches the clock.
- Have everyone except the “timer” close their eyes so they can focus.
- Tell them, “Time starts now”, and start the 60-second timer.
- Once they think it has been 60 seconds, they are to raise their hands.
- Once the majority of kids have raised their hands, or at about one minute and twenty seconds, have them open their eyes and let them know how much time has passed and who was the closest. *Most often, they will think it’s been a minute before the 30-second mark.
8. Whose Voice Is It?
Supplies Needed
- None
Directions
- Choose a phrase that you will take turns saying, ie., “Hello, how are you?” or a key phrase from your lesson.
- Have everyone close their eyes.
- As you are walking around the room, tap someone on the shoulder. They should silently count to 10 and then say the phrase.
- Have the remaining people guess who said it (without giving away who the caller was).
- *You can use different techniques to try and disguise your voice.
5 Reasons Last-Minute Games Are Great To Keep On Hand
- Great when your church service is running late
- No prep is needed when you have few volunteers
- Easy to do last minute
- Can take as much or little time as you need to give your students some extra fun
- Requires few, or even no extra supplies
For Quick Access, Assemble An Emergency Game Bin
Get your “Emergency Game Bin” ready so you can try out one of these easy game suggestions the next time you find yourself with a little extra time after the lesson.
Include:
- Instruction cards for each game: Print on neon-colored cardstock, so they are sturdy and hard to lose!
- Game supplies for each game: Label a big, sealable, clear plastic bag for each game. Put the supplies for each game in their own bag.
- Prizes: When you’re not sure what to do with leftover prizes and trinkets from events or fairs, toss them in the bin into a prize bag for extra fun!
Remember, don’t panic the next time church runs over. Just grab your list of games, choose one, and start playing!
You’ve got this.
Looking for a step-by-step to starting or restarting your children’s ministry?
Check out the Children’s Ministry Bundle For Small Churches!
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