YOUTH GROUP GAME: CHRISTMAS WRAP CHALLENGE
Games help students connect and create memories with each other… and this game won’t disappoint!
This Christmas relay race uses fun challenges to help students work toward the ultimate goal of winning a cool prize.
Use this youth group game to remind students that Jesus is the best gift we can receive.
– Nick Diliberto, Ministry to Youth
YOUTH GROUP GAME: CHRISTMAS WRAP CHALLENGE
Written by Eric Mendoza
Bible: Isaiah 9:6 (NLT)
Bottom line: Jesus is the best gift we can receive.
SUPPLIES
- Christmas Oreos (one package for each group of 4-6 students)
- Cup of marshmallows (one cup for each group of 4-6 students)
- Cup of hot chocolate (one cup for each group of 4-6 students)
- Small toys or non-breakable Christmas ornaments (two for each group of 4-6 students)
- Twine or string (Used to tie a basket around your waist)
- Basket (two baskets for each group of 4-6 students)
- Elf doll (one doll for each group of 4-6 students)
- Reindeer headband (one headband for each group of 4-6 students)
- Wrapping paper (one roll of wrapping paper for each group of 4-6 students)
- Transparent tape (one roll for each group of 4-6 students)
- Small box (one box for each group of 4-6 students)
- Medium box (one box for each group of 4-6 students)
- Large box (one box for each group of 4-6 students)
- Construction gloves (one set of gloves for each group of 4-6 students)
- Prizes (enough small prizes for each student)
- Copies of the “List of Challenges” for each team
GAME PREP
Divide students into teams of 4-6 students.
Set up stations for each “challenge.”
Place enough prizes in each small box for each student in a group to receive a prize.
Wrap the small boxes with wrapping paper.
To make the game more challenging, use duct tape to wrap the boxes.
Place each small box inside a medium box and wrap the medium box with wrapping paper.
Place each medium box inside a large box and wrap the large box with wrapping paper.
Optional: Have a special prize for the winning team.
Use masking tape to designate two areas in the room that are at least ten feet apart.
HOW TO PLAY THE GAME
SAY: Welcome to our Christmas Wrap Challenge!
There are gifts for you inside of these large boxes.
But you are going to have to complete a list of challenges in order to unwrap your gift.
Each person in your group will need to participate in at least one of the challenges.
Get ready because this will be epic!
Your teams will complete a list of challenges and once they are finished, you can open your Christmas gift.
Each challenge must be completed by different individuals on your team.
Once everyone has participated in at least one challenge, then your teams can choose who completes the remaining challenges.
When the five individual challenges are complete, one person will put on the construction gloves and begin to unwrap the big gift.
If that person is struggling, you can pass the gloves to another teammate to finish unwrapping the gift.
Note: Have leaders to serve as judges and make sure each team is competing fairly.
LIST OF CHALLENGES
Challenge 1: Oreo face challenge
One person will put an Oreo on their forehead.
Without using your hands, wiggle your face to get the cookie into your mouth.
If the cookie falls, you must get a new cookie and start again.
Once this challenge is complete you can move on to the next challenge.
Challenge 2: Marshmallow and hot cocoa chug
One person must eat a cup of marshmallows and drink a cup of hot cocoa.
Strategize the best way to do this.
Once all the marshmallows and hot cocoa have been consumed you can move on to the next challenge.
Challenge 3: Toys in the basket
This challenge will take two people.
Use the area where masking tape separates people at least ten feet apart.
One person must use the twine to tie a basket around their waist and stand on one line.
The other person will stand on the other line and attempt to throw two toys or ornaments into the basket.
Here’s the twist – you must toss the toys or ornaments underneath your legs like you are hiking a football.
Once you have tossed two toys or ornaments into the basket move on to the next challenge.
Challenge 4: Elf toss
This challenge will take two people.
Use the basket that was attached to the previous person plus an additional basket.
Stand ten feet apart from your partner in the masking tape area and place the baskets in front of you behind the line.
You must throw the elf so that it lands in the basket.
After each person has tossed the elf into the basket, you can move on to the final challenge.
Challenge 5: Wrap the reindeer
This challenge will use two people.
One person will be the “reindeer” and one person will be the “wrapper.”
Place the reindeer antlers on the person who is the reindeer.
Then, you will need to wrap that person with wrapping paper from shoulders to toes.
Once this is completed you can move onto the final challenge.
Final Challenge
One person from your group must now put on the construction gloves and try to open the gifts until they reach the prize.
Only the person with the gloves can unwrap the gift.
At any point, you can switch with another person, but they must be wearing the gloves.
TEACH
Say: That was a lot of fun to watch!
It was challenging, but since you didn’t give up you won some really great prizes.
The gifts you worked so hard for can’t compare to the best gift the world has ever received – Jesus.
Christmas is all about Jesus.
Read Isaiah 9:6.
For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
God sent the perfect gift of Jesus into the world – a gift that we will never deserve but willingly receive.
He sent His Son so we could have eternal life – another free gift that we can’t earn, but was lovingly given to each of us.
This Christmas give thanks for the best gift you could have ever been given – a relationship with God through Jesus.
Close in prayer.
SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- What gifts are you hoping to receive this Christmas?
- What is the best gift you have ever received?
- What is the best gift you have ever given to someone?
- Is it better to give or receive a gift at Christmastime?
- What kind of family traditions does your family have?
- What is your favorite Christmas food? Have you ever stopped to give thanks for everything at Christmas?
- How do you share the gift that God has given us with others?
- What is the most important gift we can give another person?
- How does being a Christian change your perspective on Christmas?
- Jesus is the most important gift we have been given. What person in your life do you want to share the gift of Christ with?
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