Trust games require that players do not misbehave whilst the game is being played. An atmosphere of safety is required for these games to work effectively. It is important that players feel that they can trust each other. Furthermore, since some trust games have a tactile element to them, leaders should think carefully about their appropriateness with their group.
Animal Search
People stand about with their eyes closed. One player goes around whispering in people’s ears what sort of animal they are. When the game begins, each person moves around making the noise of their animal and trying to find other players who are supposed to be the same animal as they are.
Blind Tunnel
One person runs as fast as possible with eyes closed between two lines of people and is stopped at the end by two or three people who form a soft bumper. (this game requires a lot of trust).
Blindfold
Blindfold a partner, and guide them around the hall. Let them learn to trust you (which they will do, unless you make them walk into things)! Then swap over, and be the blindfolded person.
Pendulum
Start by having two people facing each other, and one person in the middle. Push him/her back and forward (make sure the person’s hands stay by their side). Gradually widen the gap, so that they are falling nearer to the ground, and see how close to the ground you can get.
Alternative: have a single person fall backwards into someone’s arms.
Alternative: have the ‘Pendulum’ person in a circle of people that can push them (by the shoulders) in any direction.
Counting to 20
Objective of the game is to count to 20 in a group without having more than one person saying a number at a time. However everyone must be sitting in a circle with their eyes closed, and the order of who says what number MUST be random. – much harder than it sounds!
Trust Cars
Players, with a partner, stand one in front of the other. The person in front is required to close their eyes and ‘trust’ the person behind, who has their hands on the front persons shoulders and “steers” them as they move forward together. Meanwhile the leader is calling out commands such as 1st gear (walk) 2nd gear (faster walk) 3rd gear (slow jog) and so on up until 5th gear. To be difficult the leader can call out reverse gear at any time. The person in front trusts the person behind to steer them correctly whilst keeping their eyes closed – can be very scary if you’re the person in front!
Gameslist Menu
Best place to start is on the… How to plan a Games session page!
- Icebreaker Games (for starting your games session)
- Action and Command Games (3 games with lots of different actions for the kids to learn and obey!)
- Ball Games (get the kids used to throwing and catching before a Circus Skills Workshop!)
- Chair and Circle Games (games where the kids sit on chairs or on the floor in a circle)
- Games with Morals
- Large Games (useful when you have a big sports hall or playing in a field outdoors!)
- 10 Bible Games
- Lateral Thinking and Problem Solving Games – exercise your Children’s brains while they rest from all that running around!
- Relay and Racing Games
- Tig Games
- Timed Games (you need a stopwatch, but your mobile phone probably has one in it’s accessories/extra’s menu!)
- Trust Games (only play these if you think your group can be serious enough and would like to learn more about trust!)
If you plan on running a Circus Skills Workshop, then you might want to consider these Juggling games.
If you have a Games Parachute, then here are lots of Parachute Games ideas.
This text was originally created and published as part of a document for Church of Scotland Summer Mission (Holiday Club) teams by Steve “The Juggler” Thomson. This version was updated by many more iMPACT members who I thank for enhancing it with even more wonderful information!
