Rooted Youth Leader Games & Ice breakers
Purpose
To create a fun, energetic, and welcoming environment that helps students connect, engage, and prepare their hearts for the message.
Fun is not fluff. Fun builds trust. Trust opens hearts.
1. Set the Atmosphere
You control the energy in the room.
Be loud (when appropriate).
Be excited.
Be confident.
Smile.
Move around the room.
Celebrate participation.
If you’re low energy, the room will be low energy. If you’re excited, they will follow.
2. Plan Ahead
Come prepared with a clear game plan.
Have all materials ready before service starts.
Know the rules well enough to explain them clearly and quickly.
Keep instructions simple.
Ice breaker: Minimum 15 minutes Game: Minimum 15 minutes
No awkward, unplanned chaos.
3. Creativity & Growth
Don’t be afraid to replay games that worked well.
Always be looking for new ideas.
Use Instagram and YouTube for inspiration.
Ask other leaders and students for ideas.
Keep a running list of games that worked.
Great youth ministries repeat what works and improve what doesn’t.
4. Team Selection
Do not always do boys vs. girls.
Mix it up.
Use random teams.
Count off numbers.
Draw colors.
Birth months.
Creative grouping methods.
Avoid cliques. Encourage unity.
5. Leader Involvement
Encourage youth leaders to participate.
Leaders should model engagement.
Pull other leaders in to help run games.
Use students as assistants when possible.
When leaders join in, students feel permission to engage.
6. Encourage Participation
Call students by name.
Celebrate effort, not just winning.
Make it safe to try.
Never embarrass a student.
Keep games appropriate and age-friendly (6th–12th grade).
No inappropriate humor. No unsafe challenges. No inside jokes that exclude others.
7. Connect to the Message
If possible Get with the message leader beforehand.
Ask: “What are you preaching on?”
If possible:
Create a game that relates to the theme.
Use an ice breaker that sets up the lesson.
Reinforce the main idea through fun.
Games can prepare the soil for the Word.
8. Time & Flow
Start strong.
Keep momentum.
Avoid long explanations.
Transition smoothly to the next part of service.
Energy should rise, not crash.
9. Heart Behind It
This is about:
Helping new students feel included
Breaking down walls
Building friendships
Creating unity
Preparing hearts for Jesus
You are not just running games.
You are creating connection.
To create a fun, energetic, and welcoming environment that helps students connect, engage, and prepare their hearts for the message.
Fun is not fluff. Fun builds trust. Trust opens hearts.
1. Set the Atmosphere
You control the energy in the room.
Be loud (when appropriate).
Be excited.
Be confident.
Smile.
Move around the room.
Celebrate participation.
If you’re low energy, the room will be low energy. If you’re excited, they will follow.
2. Plan Ahead
Come prepared with a clear game plan.
Have all materials ready before service starts.
Know the rules well enough to explain them clearly and quickly.
Keep instructions simple.
Ice breaker: Minimum 15 minutes Game: Minimum 15 minutes
No awkward, unplanned chaos.
3. Creativity & Growth
Don’t be afraid to replay games that worked well.
Always be looking for new ideas.
Use Instagram and YouTube for inspiration.
Ask other leaders and students for ideas.
Keep a running list of games that worked.
Great youth ministries repeat what works and improve what doesn’t.
4. Team Selection
Do not always do boys vs. girls.
Mix it up.
Use random teams.
Count off numbers.
Draw colors.
Birth months.
Creative grouping methods.
Avoid cliques. Encourage unity.
5. Leader Involvement
Encourage youth leaders to participate.
Leaders should model engagement.
Pull other leaders in to help run games.
Use students as assistants when possible.
When leaders join in, students feel permission to engage.
6. Encourage Participation
Call students by name.
Celebrate effort, not just winning.
Make it safe to try.
Never embarrass a student.
Keep games appropriate and age-friendly (6th–12th grade).
No inappropriate humor. No unsafe challenges. No inside jokes that exclude others.
7. Connect to the Message
If possible Get with the message leader beforehand.
Ask: “What are you preaching on?”
If possible:
Create a game that relates to the theme.
Use an ice breaker that sets up the lesson.
Reinforce the main idea through fun.
Games can prepare the soil for the Word.
8. Time & Flow
Start strong.
Keep momentum.
Avoid long explanations.
Transition smoothly to the next part of service.
Energy should rise, not crash.
9. Heart Behind It
This is about:
Helping new students feel included
Breaking down walls
Building friendships
Creating unity
Preparing hearts for Jesus
You are not just running games.
You are creating connection.