Parents and Teachers
Teaching Tools & Ruhi Classes
Empowering Educators
20 Active Games for All Ages
Every once in a while, it feels good to get up and move around at a class, junior youth group, study circle, or other event. Here are some active games for participants of all ages!
Dancing Chain
Stand in a circle. One person makes up a simple dance move, such as waving their hands or spinning. The person to the left repeats the first move, then adds a new simple move to the dance chain.
The game continues around the circle. In the end, the entire group performs their new dance together.
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Luminous_Library_TAB/MA20_Spirit_of_Spring.pdf
Shake on It
One person is the “beacon.” When the beacon shouts “Team 1,” everyone finds a partner. They introduce themselves, then create a unique handshake. When the beacon shouts “Team 2,” everyone finds a new partner and creates a new handshake. Continue until everyone has created five new handshakes. When the beacon shouts any number 1–5, everyone rushes to their partner for that number and greets them with the corresponding handshake.
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Luminous_Library_TAB/SO19_Celebrate_Connect_RS.pdf
Human Obstacle Course
Divide the group into pairs if you wish. Kids work with a partner together or on their own to create an obstacle with their bodies that the other players can safely move through. For example, make a tunnel to crawl through or an obstacle to run around. Use your imagination and enjoy challenging each other.
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Luminous_Library_TAB/JA18_Wonders_FINAL_RS.pdf
Rolling Race
For each team of about four, tape plastic trash bags together with duct tape to make a large circular band. Team members stand single file inside their band, arms above their heads, holding up the top. Everyone takes a step forward, while gently pushing the band overhead. Teams race to the finish.
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Treasure_Box_MA2018_Divine_Springtime.pdf
Juggle Jam
Everyone stands in a circle. One person tosses a soft ball across the circle to another player. That player tosses it back to the person next to the first one. Continue around the circle, calling out names if it helps. Practice the pattern a few times. Then add another ball and keep throwing in the same way. Add one or two more balls. You’ll look like an amazing juggling machine!
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Luminous_Library_TAB/BstarTAB_JA_2016_4_Haven.pdf
Ring Around the Planet
Place a beach ball or basketball on the groundas a “planet.” With a friend, take turns tossing a hula hoop to make a ring around the planet (think Saturn!). Keepmoving the starting line back. See who can ring the planet from farthest away.
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Luminous_Library_TAB/SO15_Space_proofed.pdf
Balloon Bop
Choose a Bahá’í quote to memorize together. Give each person a paper plate to decorate, then tape a jumbo craft stick to the back. Blow up a balloon and use the plates as paddles to pass the balloon around. When someone hits it, they say the next word of the quote (others may help if needed). Start over if you forget a word or a player misses the balloon. Play until you can easily recite the quote.
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Luminous_Library_TAB/TAB_JF_26_FINAL.pdf
Friendly Flights
On a sheet of paper, each person writes their favorite community activity, a virtue they admire, a hobby, a favorite food, and a future goal. Fold the sheets into paper airplanes. For one minute, have fun flying planes around the room to mix them up. Then everyone finds a new plane and opens it to read the answers. Guests mingle until they find the writer of their plane’s message.
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Luminous_Library_TAB/TAB_JF_26_FINAL.pdf
Shoot for the Quote
First, put a Bahá’í quote on index cards by writing one word per card. Make two sets. Then set up a hoop. Create two teams. Players take turns shooting baskets with foam ball. Each basket earns their team a word. The first team to earn all the words for their quote and put them in the right order wins.
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/parents-teachers/article-images/MA_22_FINAL.pdf
Rhythm Stomp
Divide into groups of three or four. Each group finds objects to use as percussion instruments (such as sticks, rocks, buckets, etc.). They can also use body movements, such as clapping, snapping, or stomping.
Groups cooperate to create a short, rhythmic song with the instruments. Then they each perform for the larger group.
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Luminous_Library_TAB/MA19_Spring_RS.pdf
Walk as One
Form teams of 4–6 people. Everyone on a team links arms. The outsides of their shoes must touch the shoes of the people on either side. The whole team moves from a starting line to a finish line without their feet losing contact (as if glued together). If anyone’s feet stop touching, the team goes back to start. The first team to reach the finish line wins.
Blarney Stone (from Ireland) 6-20 players
Players stand around a large rock, tree trunk, or other object. A leader yells, “Go!” and players race to the object. The first to reach it will be the “keeper” who places one hand on the stone while the others return to their spots. The keeper yells, “Blarney, bum! Run, run, run!” Players run as close as they can to the keeper without being tagged. If a player is tagged, they grab the keeper’s free hand. Play continues, and each tagged person becomes part of the chain. When one free player remains, he or she becomes keeper, and the game starts again.
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Luminous_Library_2015/Let_the_Games_Begin_MJJA15.pdf
Gorri - From Aboriginal Australia, 4-20 players
To play: Players stand behind a throwing line, holding tennis balls. The “roller” stands about 20 feet (6.1 m) in front of them. The roller yells, “Gool! Gool!” (Going! Going!) and rolls a soccer ball across the field, parallel to the throwing line. Players roll or throw their balls, trying to hit the soccer ball as it goes by. When a player hits the target, the others cheer. All balls are retrieved, and players try again. Everyone counts their hits to score a personal best.
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Luminous_Library_2015/Let_the_Games_Begin_MJJA15.pdf
Hula Happiness
Invite the group to stand in a circle. Place a hula hoop on one person’s arm, then ask everyone to join hands. Challenge people to move the hula hoop all the way around the circle without anyone releasing hands. It takes cooperation to maneuver the hoop over people’s heads and under their feet— and it leads to laughs!
Catch a Question
Write questions in permanent marker on a beach ball. For example, “What’s your favorite way to help others?” Everyone stands in a circle. Play music while tossing the ball from person to person. Stop the music! The person holding the ball reads aloud the question closest to their right thumb and gives the answer. Start the music again and keep playing.
Fellowship Volleyball
Set up two teams of four. Each person holds one corner of a blanket. One team puts volleyball in center of blanket. They lower blanket, then raise it quickly, so the ball flies up. The other team catches the ball with their blanket and tosses it back. See how many exchanges you can make.
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Vol52/Play_and_Connect_V52N4.pdf
Caterpillar Race 8-16 players
Give each player a hula hoop. Split into groups of 4–6. Teams line hoops in a row on ground with ends touching, forming a caterpillar. One person stands in each hoop. To move forward, last player passes their hoop to front. Front player puts it on ground in front of them. All players move forward one hoop. Caterpillars race to finish line!
Ping-Pong Party
Give each person a ping-pong ball with a different get-to-know-you question written on it in permanent marker. Everyone stands in a circle and bounces the balls back and forth. After two minutes, players read aloud and answer the question on the ball they’re holding.
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Vol52/Baha_Life_True_Brother_v52N4.pdf
Maze of Trust
Create a maze with sticks, rope, or stones. Break into pairs. Player 1 puts on a blindfold, and Player 2 places hands on their shoulders and guides them safely through the maze. Then switch places, so Player 2 is blindfolded.
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Vol53/V53N2_Maya_Connect_Opt.pdf
Amoeba Tag
Choose 1 or 2 Amoeba Taggers. When an Amoeba Tagger tags someone, they hold hands to join. When a chain has 4 Amoeba Taggers, it splits into 2 groups of 2. If a chain breaks, players must join together before tagging anyone. Play until everyone is caught.
https://brilliantstarmagazine.org/uploads/play/Vol53/V53N2_Maya_Connect_Opt.pdf
Updated on 1.22.26