A Simple Guide to Leading Games with Students

Games are more than just a way to fill time. When you lead them well, they help students relax, laugh, and connect with each other. For a lot of students, the game is the first moment they feel comfortable in the group.

A great game can break down walls, create shared memories, and open the door for real conversations later. You do not need to be a professional entertainer to lead a great game. You just need to be prepared, clear, and willing to have fun.

Why games matter

Games help students:

Feel welcomed and included
Build friendships quickly
Lower their guard before a Bible study or conversation
Engage even if they are new or unsure

Even if a game does not connect directly to the lesson, it still plays an important role. When students enjoy being together, they are more open to everything that follows.

Simple tips to lead games well

1. Pick your game ahead of time
Do not decide at the last minute. Choose something that fits your group size, space, and energy level.

2. Think it through before you lead it
Walk through the game in your head.

Where will people stand?
What supplies do you need?
What might be confusing?

A little thought ahead of time saves a lot of chaos later.

3. Keep the explanation short and clear
This is where most games fall apart. Explain the goal, the rules, and how to win, then start. If it takes too long to explain, people will check out.

4. Show, do not just tell
If possible, demonstrate the game with a couple of people. Seeing it once is often better than hearing a long explanation.

5. Bring energy
You do not have to be loud or crazy, just engaged. If you look like you are having fun, others will too.

6. Keep things moving
Dead time kills games. Have your supplies ready. Transition quickly between rounds or parts of the game.

7. Set people up to succeed
If a game needs volunteers, consider choosing them ahead of time. Try to include different friend groups and grades so more people feel involved.

8. Do not overthink it
The goal is simple: help people have fun together. If everyone is laughing and connecting, you are winning.

“A great game can break down walls and open the door for real conversations.”

Where to find great games

You do not have to come up with everything on your own. There are tons of great ideas already out there, created by youth leaders who have tested them in real groups.

Start with a few trusted sources, find games that fit your group, and build from there. Over time, you will spend less time searching and more time leading.

Here are some great places to find ideas:

youthgroupgames.org
Dare 2 Share
thesource4ym.com
25 Ministry to Youth Games from Ministry to Youth
Minute to Win It games (video instructions)

Other easy ways to find games:

Ask your favorite AI for youth group game ideas
Look up “no prep youth group games” or “icebreakers” online
Use simple interactive tools like Kahoot! for crowd participation games

You do not need dozens of options. Just find a few that fit your space, your group size, and your style, then try them out.

Build your go-to game list

Finding a new game every week can get exhausting. You do not have to start from scratch every time.

As you lead games, begin to keep track of the ones that work well with your group. Some games are worth repeating, especially the ones students ask to play again. Over time, you will build a short list of go-to games you can rely on.

Every group is different, but it is helpful to have a handful of games ready that you know will work. Start simple. Pick a few games, try them, and keep the ones your group enjoys most.

To help you get started, here are five games that tend to work well in a variety of settings:

1. Two Truths and a Lie
Each person shares two true statements and one false statement about themselves. The group guesses which one is the lie.

2. Would You Rather
Ask a question with two choices (for example: “Would you rather always be late or always be early?”). Students move to different sides of the room or raise their hands to show their answer.

3. Speed Friending
Students pair up and answer one question for 30–60 seconds (favorite food, best movie, dream vacation). When time is up, one line shifts so everyone gets a new partner.

4. Common Ground
Put students into groups of 4–6. Challenge them to find five things they all have in common (not including “we go to this school”).

5. The Name Game
Stand in a circle. Each person says their name and something they like using the same letter (for example, “Caleb who likes candy”). The group repeats the names in order as each new person goes.

At the end of the day, games are not about being perfect or impressing people. They are about helping students feel seen, included, and connected. When you create moments where people can laugh together, you are building trust that can open the door for deeper conversations about faith. Keep it simple, stay consistent, and watch how God uses even the smallest moments to make a big impact.

Next Step

Pick one game from the list above and lead it at your next gathering this week.

1. Do Your Own Thing

If you’d like to gather some friends, share your faith, and build something without any formal ties, just start with the playbook. The Reach Your School Playbook gives you everything you need to get started today.

2. Call Yourself Cru

If you’d like to use the Cru name and logos, and be part of a wider movement beyond just your campus, here’s what that looks like:

	Doing Your Own Thing	Being Called Cru
Use the Cru name and logos	No	Yes
Need a coach to get started	No	Yes
Part of the wider Cru movement	No	Yes
Get ongoing support from Cru staff	No	Yes
Can start today, no waiting	Yes	Still fast — just a call first

"Whichever path you choose, you don’t have to figure it out alone."

How to Get Started

If you want to call yourself Cru, the way to get started is to connect with a coach, that’s how you register your movement. This is separate from anything your own school requires; if your campus has its own club registration process, you’ll still want to check with your school on that too.

A coach is a Cru staff member whose job is to walk alongside you as you get started. Here’s what working with a coach actually looks like from there:

It’s free. No cost involved, no catch.
No pressure. You reach out, someone gets back to you with information and answers your questions, and there’s no commitment required just to ask.
Go at your own pace. You and your coach agree on a rhythm together, whether that’s weekly, every other week, or monthly, usually in calls of about 20 to 30 minutes.
The calls are practical. Your coach checks in on how things are going, helps you work through whatever challenges you’re facing, brainstorms ideas with you, and prays for you.
Real experience backs it up. Coaches have spent years working directly with students, teachers, and other volunteers on campuses like yours.
You get resources. Training and tools to help you lead with confidence, even if this is your first time.
It fits around your life. Coaches build their availability around your schedule.

Through it all, you’re helping students hear about Jesus, grow in their faith, and go on to reach others too. And whether you’re the student or the adult in this story, you stay the one leading it. Your coach walks alongside you; the coach doesn’t take it over.

Check Out the Playbook

Whichever path you choose, the Reach Your School Playbook is worth having in hand. It walks you through four simple steps — DREAM, PRAY, GO, GROW — for building something that reaches your school.

Download the Reach Your School Playbook

Whichever path you choose, don’t wait until everything feels figured out. Gather a few friends, open the Playbook, or send that first email to a coach. The important thing is that you start. Somewhere out there, a student at your school is waiting for someone to notice them, and that someone could be you.

Next Step

Ready to call yourself Cru? Reach out to the Coaching Center today: Email coachingcenter@cru.org and say, “I’d like to have a coach please!” Or call 1-877-GO-CAMPUS

Campus Ministry Toolkit: Skills and Tools to Reach your School

As you learn to reach your school, there are some key ministry skills that will make a big difference. These are things every Christian student can grow in and you don’t have to be perfect to get started. We also have some great tools to help you take your next step. With a little courage and the right resources, you’ll be amazed how God can use you in your school.

Starting Spiritual Conversations

Bringing up spiritual topics can be hard, but it’s one of the most important steps in reaching your friends. If no one starts the conversation, most students will never talk about their faith.

Preparing Yourself for Spiritual Conversations (article): A short guide to help you get ready to talk about your faith with friends.
Solarium: A deck of picture cards to help you start conversations about life and God.

Sharing Your Testimony

Your story matters. Sharing what God has done in your life can open hearts and help others realize that faith is personal and real.

How to Share Your Story (article): A step-by-step guide to help you talk about how Jesus has changed your life.

Sharing Your Faith

The gospel is powerful and your friends need to hear it. Learning how to clearly explain the message of Jesus is a huge step in making your faith your own and helping others follow Him.

How to Share the Gospel (article): a step-by-step guide to help you share the gospel with a friend.
Connecting with God Booklet: A short, simple booklet you can read through with a friend to explain how they can know Christ.
The Four Wristband: A wearable tool with four simple symbols to help you talk about God’s love and how to receive Christ.
GodTools App: A free app with interactive ways to share your faith in different languages and styles.

“Your story could be the reason someone takes a step toward Jesus.”

Following Up a New Believer

When someone accepts Christ, they need help knowing what to do next. Helping a new believer grow in their faith is one of the most rewarding things you can do.

How to Follow up a New Christian (article): Simple steps to help you know what to say and do after someone decides to follow Jesus.
Thrive Studies App: Includes the START series—four Bible studies for new believers.

Leading a Small Group

Small groups are a powerful way to build community and help students grow. If you can lead a good conversation, you can lead a small group.

Thrive Studies App: Includes dozens of studies on real-life topics and built-in leader training.

Campus Ministry Training

Reaching students on your campus is one of the most strategic ways to share your faith. Learning a few simple principles can help you start conversations, gather students, and take steps toward building a movement at your school.

Campus Training Videos – Short, practical videos to help you learn how to reach students on your high school campus. These eight trainings cover key topics like meeting students, starting conversations, sharing your faith, and taking simple steps to build a movement.

Other Helpful Tools

Comment Cards
- PDF
- Editable Version
Meeting Schedule Planner
- PDF
- Editable Version
Who’s In Your World?
- PDF
- Editable Version
Outreach Resources
- Team Outreach Sample Schedule
- Other Outreach tools
Cru Logos, fonts, and Colors

Some Great Websites You Don't Want To Miss

Everystudent.com: articles to help students learn about faith
Gotothecampus.com: ministry training and tools to help you grow your ministry

Next Step

Pick one tool and take a step this week to start a conversation or gather a few friends.

The Reach Your School Playbook

You can reach your school. We can help.

You’ve probably looked around your campus and thought, someone should do something. What if that someone is you?

The Reach Your School Playbook is a simple, practical guide that helps you make the first move. It’s short, clear, and built to move you forward, not a long manual you’ll never finish. Whether you’re a student ready to lead or an adult wanting to come alongside one, this is your starting point.

Download the Playbook PDF for free
Playbook Appendix Content (our toolkit)

You can actually do this

Most people never start, not because they don’t care, but because they feel stuck. Where do I even begin? What if no one shows up?

The Playbook clears that away. It gives you a path so you can stop overthinking and start doing. You don’t need a perfect plan or all the answers. You don’t have to be the popular kid or have it all together. You just need a first step, and a little courage.

And the friends you’re thinking about right now matter. You might be the one who helps them find Jesus.

Start where you are. Use what you have. Take the first step.

A simple path to follow

The Playbook walks you through four clear steps, each one designed to help you take action:

Dream — Start with a vision for your school and what God could do there.
Pray — Learn to pray for your campus in real, meaningful ways.
Go — Take action, gather a team, and begin reaching people.
Grow — Build a group that develops leaders and multiplies.

It might start with a single conversation at lunch, or a few friends praying before class. You don’t have to guess what comes next. It’s right there in front of you.

Made for students, helpful for adults

The Playbook is written first for students, because we believe teenagers can lead and make a real impact at their school. But if you’re a parent, teacher, youth leader, or volunteer, you’re not on the sidelines. There’s a whole section just for you, whether you’re supporting a student who’s leading or stepping out to start something yourself.

Students lead. Adults support. Everyone moves forward together.

"Students lead. Adults support. Everyone moves forward together."

You’re not on your own

Starting something can feel intimidating. But you don’t have to figure it out alone. The Playbook connects you to tools, coaching, and a bigger movement of people doing the same thing. Take one step, and you’ll find support along the way.