Youth Alpha

You will need:

masking tape (to stick the cards to peoples’ backs)

scissors

black stickers

5 small prizes

whistle

Who am I? cards (same as number of participants) with roles/occupations written on the back – for example as follows: Fireman, Housewife, Pastor, Doctor, Policeman, Student, Architect, Father, Farmer, Dancer, Chef, Teacher, Toilet-cleaner, very young child, Air-stewardess, Soccer player, Pilot, Engineer, baker, butcher, postman, librarian, window cleaner, Singer, Waiter, Pianist, Archeologist, Nurse, Mother, News Reporter, Film star, scientist etc…

How it works:

Get some assistants to tape a card onto each person's back, without showing them what is written on the card, and pass a pen to each person. On each card there is a specific role/occupation written on it and each person is supposed to be that role in this game.

Everyone will go round the room and respond to one another based on who they are, but without telling the other person what is written on the card on their back, and without using any of the words that are on their back.

Everyone then has to GUESS who they are based on how people are responding to them.

For example if we see ‘a teacher’ on the card, we may say to that person ‘please can you explain to me how to do my maths homework?’ Another person may also respond to them, ‘Is it time to line up?’ Then that person may guess ‘I am a teacher!’.

When they think they have guessed who they are, then they need to go to 5 different people and confirm their identity by saying to them ‘I think I am a teacher – is that right?’ and if they are correct then they must get a signature on the card on their back. They cannot sign the card if they have guessed wrongly.

When they have 5 signatures, they must run to the front and reveal their identity as well as the names of the 5 people who they have interacted with. The first 5 people with 5 different signatures who can guess and tell their names and the correct identity on their back will win a prize!

Make sure you tell the group to be honest and not reveal what is on each other’s backs. Also, not  to use the root word or any part of the word while responding to one another. For example, do not say, ‘ Can you teach me?” to the teacher.

Blow the whistle when there are 4 to 5 winners and give them a prize each.

A black sticker will be given to participants who flout the rules. They will be out of the game and invited to come forward to dance for everyone!

(Remember to sound friendly and nice when making instructions so that people will be encouraged to participate and follow the rules.)

We hope you enjoy the selection of games on Youth Alpha. For lots more games to play with youth group, or just on your own then log on to www.youthalpha.org