Games for Early Teens (12-15 Yrs old)

High-Energy Games

Active games burn off energy and create natural laughter. These work best with groups of eight or more. Always supervise physical games and check the playing area is safe.

Number Ball needs just a soft ball and some space. Give each player a number, then throw the ball high while calling one out. That person must catch the ball while everyone else scatters. Once they have it, everyone freezes. The catcher tries to hit someone with the ball. If they succeed, the target gets a point against them. Miss, and the thrower gets the point. Fewest points wins.

Territory Clear-Out is simple but intense. Split your space in half and divide players into two teams. Scatter soft balls, beanbags or scrunched paper equally on both sides. On your signal, each team clears their territory by throwing everything into the opposing half. Call stop after 30 to 60 seconds. The side with fewer items wins.

Elimination Ball remains popular. Use soft balls and enforce hitting below the waist only. Players who get hit sit out but can return if a teammate catches a ball cleanly. Keep rounds short to maintain energy.

Basket Raid works well in a sports hall or large outdoor space. Place a container at each end and split into two teams. Teams try to get the ball into the opposing container while defending their own. Players can pass, dribble or run, but if tagged they must drop the ball immediately.

Animal Groups often generates laughter despite seeming childish. Secretly assign each player an animal, with at least three of each type. On your signal, everyone makes their animal noise while finding their group. First complete group to sit down wins.

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Thinking Games

Quieter games involving puzzles or tricks appeal to early teens. They enjoy working things out and the satisfaction of understanding something others haven't grasped.

The Scissors Trick plays with assumptions. Sit in a circle and pass scissors around, saying "crossed" or "uncrossed" as you pass them. The trick isn't about the scissors: it's about whether the receiver has their legs crossed or not. Players work out the pattern by watching and listening.

Camping List follows a similar principle. Say "I'm going camping and I'm taking..." followed by an item. The next person repeats with their own item, and you tell them whether they can take it. The hidden rule could be that items must start with the same letter as the player's name, or the last letter of the previous item. Players work it out through trial and error.

Identity Guess works with celebrities, fictional characters, or people everyone knows. Write names on sticky notes and put one on each player's forehead. Players ask yes or no questions to work out who they are.

Story Building works with the right group. One person starts with a single sentence, then each player adds exactly one sentence. Add rules like "every sentence must include a colour" to keep things moving. Works better with six to ten players.

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Alternative Activities

Beyond structured games, treasure hunts with clues requiring actual thinking work well. Team challenges combining different skills also succeed: set up stations with various tasks that teams rotate through.

Film nights, cooking sessions, or craft projects often work when positioned as group activities rather than organised entertainment. Give them enough independence to feel trusted while providing enough structure to keep things moving.

Making Games Work

Present several options and let the group choose. Early teens respond better when they feel they have some control.

Keep explanations brief. This age group will start playing before you've finished, so cover basic rules first and add details as you go. Adapt rules on the spot if something isn't working.

Obtain parental consent for organised activities, especially those involving physical exertion or taking place in the evening. Consider the needs of all participants to ensure games are accessible regardless of physical ability.

Be prepared for some games to fall flat while others become instant favourites. Every group has different dynamics.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Youth Group Game Finder lets you match games to your specific group needs by filtering across age, group size, space, and activity type. Try it now →