Youth and Recreation Activity Resource Center
Activity and Resource Center
STATE OF THE PIZZA FELLOWSHIP
Bill Nichols
A fellowship honoring a class, group or person winning a contest can be a state of the pizza contest. For the person who brought the most to Sunday School or revival, or the class who had the highest percentage attendance for the month, a pizza in the shape of your state is a great prize. Find a person who can really fix pizza and let him/her go the works. Not so fancy pizza can be prepared or bought for the rest of the crowd. *
WARM FUZZY FELLOWSHIP
Bill Nichols
For that good feeling all over try a warm fuzzy fellowship. A warm fuzzy is a term describing a nice feeling you get from people. Decorations are to be soft, cuddly, cute things that make people smile.
For a good look at a real warm fuzzy find TA for TOTS, by Alvyn Freed, Jalmar Press.
This fellowship idea is great for families, singles, parent- youth, married couples, or youth. All the activities can be arranged to create a nice, warm feeling. *
ON THE NOSE FELLOWSHIP
Edison Prince
This is a plan for a fellowship with a theme of noses and our amazing sense of smell. It might be expanded to be used as a party, but would probably work better as an after-church fellowship or as entertainment after an informal supper, perhaps a covered-dish meal.
The activities could be used by any group from older children through senior adults, but would more than likely be most enjoyed by adults or senior adults.
Decorations are not necessary, but could be improvised if desired.
Publicity would have a nose theme, perhaps utilizing the false nose and glasses masks available in variety stores.
Since some of the suggested activities require a good deal of preparation, several persons might be asked to prepare for one activity each, or to share in the preparation of one or more activities. Use only the activities that will fit comfortably into your time and space limitations.
Smell quiz. -Begin with fifteen to twenty small bottles with caps-small size food flavoring bottles or others of similar size are good.
Paint or glue a number on each bottle. Into each bottle pour a small amount of a fairly strong smelling liquid.
Place the labeled bottles on a table that the participants can stand or mill around.
Give each participant a piece of paper and a pencil and ask them to number a list with the number of bottles. Have the participants smell each bottle and list the smells. Most correct answers wins. A time limit would add interest.
Liquids might include various food flavorings such as vanilla, peppermint, orange, chocolate, maple, etc., and other fluids such as vinegar, apple juice, apricot nectar, French dressing, gasoline, shoe polish, dish washing liquid, etc.
Twenty good smell questions.-Choose a panel or several panels of four or five people each. Make a series of large cards with the name of an item with a good smell printed on each. A master of ceremonies shows the card to everyone except the panel members. Then the panel gets to ask the master of ceremonies twenty questions which can be answered "yes" or "no," trying to guess the item. The panel members should ask their questions in turn and the master of ceremonies should prod the panel to keep the pace lively, if necessary. Some suggested good smell items: chili, gardenias, newly-mown grass, a bakery, a new car, french fries, parched peanuts, coffee, and honeysuckle.
Taste but don't see or smell. -This game is based on the adage that our sense of taste is severely limited when our sense of smell is impaired, an adage true to a large degree.
Select a panel of five or six sets of partners. One partner is a taster, the other a feeder. The tasters are blindfolded and have clothespins clamped on their noses. In turn, each feeder feeds his/her partner a taste of a food, the taster guesses what it is, and the feeder tells everyone what the food was.
Each pair should have about three turns. The tasters' answers probably will be varied and amusing.
The more similar the textures of the foods, the harder the game is. Have a variety of foods and plenty of spoons available. Some foods might be apple sauce, apple butter, squash, sliced cucumbers, cantaloupe chunks, etc. Use your imagination!
Nose charades. -Divide the group into teams of four to six persons. Have each team call to mind one saying or proverb about the nose. Then have each group, or a representative from each group, charade the saying for the entire group. This may be done without competition, or time may be kept as to how long the big group takes to guess each charade. The team whose charade takes the longest to be discovered is the winner. If a team has trouble thinking of a saying or proverb, suggestions can be made: "win by a nose," "nose in other peoples' business," "nosey," "nose in the air," "on the nose," "nose for
news," etc.
REFRESHMENTS
Any kind of refreshments, simple or elaborate, could be used. Something with a distinctive smell might be good: chili, peanuts, french fries, hot coffee, etc.
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT
Our sense of smell is only one of many, many senses and abilities God has given us to enjoy his creation. Mention of good smells and fragrances are numerous in the Bible, often-but not always-referring to Christ and his followers as a "sweet savoir" to God. *
In an ancient carol an old sage likens the coming of Christ to a "lovely fragrance" spreading throughout the world.
Let us pray a prayer of thanksgiving to God for all the means he gives us to enjoy his creation. *
BARNYARD FELLOWSHIP
Bob Sessoms
PUBLICITY
Relate that at tonight's fellowship there will be performances by chickens, pigs, and donkeys.
INSTRUCTIONS
REFRESHMENTS
Be original. Remember the theme: Barnyard. Some ideas are corn on the cob, MacDonald Hamburgers; shredded wheat for the donkeys, cornflakes for the others. *
HOT DAY FELLOWSHIP
Phil Blackwell
FREBABA
We had great success with competition between two teams in "Frebaba." The same basic rules as baseball apply except there are only two bases. One halfway between first and second and one halfway between second and third, on softball diamond. The batter throws the Frisbee and runs the bases backward (left to right) to score a run. Fielders may catch the falling Frisbee in air for out or tag the runner, or hit runner with thrown Frisbee to make
an out. Three outs constitutes a turnover and there are only four innings. Only three fielders are allowed in the infield (inside bases). All others must remain beyond base line. Batter must throw Frisbee from home plate beyond a line drawn between first and second base line; ten feet in front of home plate.
Note: Running left instead of right is hard to do since it is natural to run right to left. Take the wind into consideration and equalize the game by only allowing three infielders.
HOLE DIGGING CONTEST AND TUG-O-WAR
Also the teams competed in hole digging contest. The holes had to be 6 by 3 by 2 deep and were separated by only one foot of ground. Only two shovels were used by each team. After the digging was done, sponsors finished by cutting out the one foot wall separating the two holes making a trench 13 feet long by 3 feet wide by 2 feet deep. The local fire department sent out its pump truck to fill up the trench. Both teams were given one end of a large rope and the Tug-a-War began. It ended only when the first three members of one team were in the trench.
Note: The 2 foot deep trench made it easy to know when the first three team members were in. The fire truck remained to spray everyone and clean up a bit!
Following the Tug-a-War, there was a much needed break and refreshments time.
Next, the sponsors obtained 2 large (5.5 ft.) weather balloons from Airport Weather Station and had the teams to hold the balloon as long as possible. We filled the balloons from water hose on top of a stepladder while team members did their best to support the roly-poly balloon over their heads. Eventually it burst (ha, ha, hall
BALLOONDERDOG
Each team was then given 2 gross of balloons and 4 trash cans (lined with plastic bags) and was told to load the balloons with water and store them in the cans. After this was done they began to play Balloonderdog, a combination of chase, freeze tag, and water balloon fight. Only Team One was given the balloons. The object was to put Team Two out of commission. Boundaries were set and team Two tried to stay free until the 15 minute time limit was up. When a Team 1 member threw and hit a Team 2 member with a balloon, (and it burst) that person was frozen. He must stay at that spot with legs spread apart and hands in the air. If another Team 2 member could run under the frozen Team 2 member's legs then he would be free to run again. If either Team 2 member was hit by a balloon while one was under the legs of a frozen member, both were frozen. Team 1 members had to run back to the balloon cans for more balloons but could not carry cans into the playing field. Team 2 members were not allowed to throw balloons or burst balloons while in hands of Team 1 members or in balloon cans. After 15 minutes the teams switched places and Team 2 had the balloons. Note: We used 280 balloons in 45 minutes. Be sure to play where it won't be necessary to clean up the balloons after the game. And don't play on concrete, because it will become slick after a few balloons are burst.
DEVOTION
Using Psalms 19:7-14, point out the characteristics the Bible uses (terms) to describe God's laws. Discuss the meaning of each term; apply to us today (Living Bible Paraphrased is excellent for this.) Have group memorize and quote verse 14 (either translation). Using 3 balloons of different size, shape, and color (blown up) and one straight pin; illustrate how Satan explodes our world (1st balloon) with his deception, etc. Using balloon 2, we as new
Christians seeking to find Christ's will, can become self-righteous and "burst." Satan (pin) did it again. Next, put a piece of Scotch tape on 3rd balloon. Tape represents Holy Scriptures. The Scriptures protect us from Satan's deception (pin). Discuss what Jesus did when tempted by Satan (quote Scripture). Now stick the #3 balloon with the pin at the tape. The balloon should not burst! The memory of the Scriptures protects us from Satan's temptations. Now quote verse 14 again as a group. Close with prayer. *
CHRISTMAS WORSHIP SERVICE FELLOWSHIP
Marsha Eichenberg
To be done during worship service time. Plan to divide the group by using Christmas carols.
Write titles on cards or paper, 8 to 10 per group. Mix in a bag. Each person takes one from the bag. All stand and begin humming their carol and listening for the rest of their group. When their group is complete, they begin singing their carol.
Have each group discuss the meaning of their carol and find its scriptural basis. Have each group sing their carol for the whole group and report their findings. Within each group have each share his most meaningful Christmas.
Bring out a huge cake saying, "Happy Birthday in Christ Jesus." Select several to give testimonies as to how old they are in Christ. Give everyone a birthday candle. Let
them go up in groups (1 year or less, 1-5 years, 5-10 years, etc.) and place their candle on the cake. Light all the candles. Sing: "Happy Birthday in Christ, Happy Birthday in Christ, Happy Birthday, Dear Christian, Happy Birthday in Christ."
Devotional message: Celebrating our life in Christ. Eat the birthday cake. *
PIE FELLOWSHIP
Marsha Eichenberg
Simple after-church fellowship for everyone. Ask everyone to bring his favorite pie. To save time, ask that it be cut at home. Plug in the coffeepot before worship service and have drinks for the children already chilled. *
FAVORITE NURSERY RHYMES
Ty Morris
INSTRUCTIONS
A leader may simply read the following rhymes; or he may ask in advance for the names of people in the audience and say that the rhymes have been submitted by the named persons.
For example, "The first poem was submitted by John Doe (Stand up, John), and it goes like this."
Mary had a little lamb, Its fleece was black as soot; And everywhere that Mary went, His sooty foot he put!
Mary had a little lamb; She tied it to a heater; And every time it wagged its tail, It burned its little seater!
Mary had a little watch; She swallowed it-it's gone. Now everywhere that Mary goes. Time marches on!
I've always heard that fleas were black, But I know it isn't so- Cause Mary had a little lamb Whose fleas were white as snow!
Hickery, dickery, dock- Three mice ran up the clock. The clock struck one- But the other two escaped with minor injuries!
Little Miss Muffet sat on a tuffet Eating her curds and whey. Along came a spider and sat down beside her- And she stomped it!
Sing a song of six pence, a pocket full of rye, Four and twenty black birds baked in a pie. When the pie was opened, the birds began to sing, "My goodness, it's hot in here!"
Little Boy Blue, come blow your horn. The sheep's in the meadow, and it's time to get up!
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall. Humpty Dumpty had a great fall; And all the king's horses and all the king's men Had scrambled eggs for breakfast again!
The lightning flashed, the thunder roared; The earth was all ashaken- And the little pig picked up his tail, And ran to save his bacon! *
WEARIN' OF THE GREEN FELLOWSHIP
Erma Reynolds
March 17 is the time for a St. Patrick's Day party, with green the theme, for green, of course, is the color of the Irish.
INVITATION Print the invitation with green ink, or crayon, on white notepaper, or a poster.
'Twill be the wearin' of the green When we meet on March seventeen. Please come, we want you on the scene. Just be sure to wear lots of green.
Name __ Place __ Date __
DECORATIONS
It's easy to decorate for this party. Just use streamers of green crepe paper and large green shamrock cutouts.
FUN ACTIVITIES
Wearin' of the green: When everyone has arrived, lineup the guests for inspection to see if they carried out the order to wear something green. The one bedecked with the most green items wins a prize, while all those minus greenery," must pay forfeits.
Green relay: Divide the group into relay teams. Give each leader two five-inch squares cut from green cellophane, or any thin paper that will blow away at the slightest breeze. At the signal, the leader places a paper square on each shoulder, and races to the goal at the opposite end of the room, then back to his team. Player No. 2 takes over the paper squares and carries out the same procedure, and so on, on down the line. If a paper blows off, the player must stop, retrieve it, and replace it on his shoulder, before continuing the race. First team to finish wins the relay. Reward each team member with a green lollipop.
Shades of green: Obtain samples of different shades of green cloth (prints predominantly green can be used also). Cut each sample into two parts. Hide one half the cloth collection about the party rooms. Place the other part of the collection on a table, with a dish of straight pins alongside. Each player pins on one of the pieces, and at the signal sets out to find the matching half. First player to make a match-up wins a prize. The other players keep searching until they find their shade of green. Last one to make a match must pay a forfeit.
Green break: For this game use green balloons, if available. If not, inflate white balloons and paint a shamrock on each one. Come time to play the game, tie a blown-up balloon to the ankle of each contestant. Object is to break the balloons of the other players, and at the same time to keep one's own from being broken. This is a roughhouse game-hilarious to play, and just as much fun to watch.
Green garb: On a table, in the center of the room, place a collection of miscellaneous items of green clothing, accessories, and jewelry, the funnier looking the better. Have as many contestants for this contest as you have items on the table, plus one extra player. To music, these players march around the table. When the music stops each one must snatch an article and put it on. The player who fails to get an item leaves the game, and one article is removed, so each time the game halts a person is eliminated. Last to remain wins a prize. You can be sure this person will be weird-looking arrayed in his snatched collection of green apparel.
Green quiz: Each player is given a pencil, and paper containing a list of questions, each to be answered with a word, or phrase, containing green in its spelling. Allow 10 minutes for the work, and at the end of the time limit, player with the most correct answers wins a prize.
cookie cutter, to make shamrocks, potato chips served in green bowls, green-iced cake, and green fruit punch. *
TOPSY-TURVY FELLOWSHIP
Berniece Camp
Invite guests of all ages to an after-church fellowship where nothing is as it should be. Arrange chairs facing the wall with pictures hanging upside down.
Display a few signs like Exit (where there is no exit), Reserved Seats $1.00, Children Only, Help Not Wanted, signs with misspelled words, or signs placed upside down.
Include activities such as group singing (with people facing the wall, or with the director having his back to the group); a person reading (with feeling) a nursery rhyme backward, last word first; any fun skit with all characters walking backward; and a men's quartet singing with backs to the audience and masks worn on the back of their heads.
Close with a devotional time during which a familiar hymn is sung last stanza first. Prepare a brief meditation from Eph. 6:5-8 pointing out that people are "all mixed up" if they try to please men rather than God.
1. A flavor WINTERGREEN
2. Place for keeping plants GREENHOUSE
3. Variety of apple GREENING
4. Paper money GREENBACK
5. Largest island in the world GREENLAND
6. Rookie GREENHORN
7. Jealous GREEN-EYED
8. Traffic signal GREEN LIGHT
9. Place for golfers PUTTING GREEN
10. Kind of tree EVERGREEN
REFRESHMENTS
Cover the refreshment table with a green table cover, and use paper napkins decorated with shamrocks. The menu consists of sandwiches cut with a club-shaped
Serve punch and (what else but) upside-down cake. *