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High Energy Game Idea for Children’s Ministry or VBS

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Written by Tony Kummer Last updated May 10, 2016 Filed Under: Children's Ministry Activities, Vacation Bible School Tips

Do you need a large group game for your children’s ministry? Then watch this video as I explain the game we call “North – South – Central.” It has been one of the most popular with the kids at our church and it is really simple to play. This game would also be a handy idea to use for a Vacation Bible School recreation game.

You need a large area with three lines, a basketball court or miniature soccer field works well. Sometimes we just mark off an area in the grass with cones to make the three lines.

Game Instructions

Start by lining up the children on one end line “North.” Then stand at the edge of the center line and call out “Central.” The kids will all race to the line you called out. Repeat this and call out “South.” Again, the children will sprint to that line. After a few practice calls, begin to eliminate the players. This can be discouraging for some children, so I always give them a big high-five and praise them for trying so hard. Plus the kids that are eliminated get to help as line judges. In the end there is only one winner in this competitive children’s ministry game.

Some Game Variations

You can change the game by changing the way the kids have to sprint. Wheelbarrow teams or crab walking works well. Another angle is to have the children cheer for one another, boys versus girls is always popular. One other time, I changed the lines to be New Testament, Old Testament, No Testament. This makes an easy way to review where books are in the Bible. This is also a way to run this game without the competition element.

Have fun and please share your ideas about this game in the comment section.

Need More Help? Then check out all our game ideas or read our tips for Vacation Bible School.

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About Tony Kummer

Tony Kummer is the founder and editor of Ministry-To-Children. He is a graduate of Boyce Bible College (BA 2003) and holds a Master of Arts from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (MA in Children Education, 2008). As an ordained pastor, he served in full-time children's ministry for 10 years before following a call to international mission work. He has written for Group Publishing, LifeWay, and other christian publishers. He is recognized as an expert in children's ministry curriculum and frequently consults for leading VBS producers.

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Tony Kummer (Editor) reviewed & updated this page on : May 10, 2016 at 10:22 am. Every free resource on our website is peer reviewed by our readers, simply leave a comment on any post suggest an update. You can also contact us directly via Tony@Ministry-To-Children.com