Group games for kids
Icebreakers, team games, and classics for any group size.
Whether it's a kids' group, summer camp, school class, or neighborhood children in the garden: great group games bring together even the most mixed bunch. Some only need a few minutes of explanation, others a bit of space, but almost all work with what you already have.
The charm of good group games lies in the fact that everyone can join in, regardless of age or skill level. It's less about winning and more about the shared experience, the team spirit, and those little moments when a group of strangers becomes a well-coordinated team for a while.
We've put together a large collection of icebreaker games for new groups, as well as relays and classic outdoor activities.
Getting to Know and Icebreaker Games
When a group doesn't know each other yet, these games help break the ice without any awkwardness.
Fruit Salad
All the kids sit in a circle on chairs, except for one who stands in the middle. Each child is quietly assigned a type of fruit beforehand. When the person in the middle calls out a fruit, everyone with that name has to quickly switch places while trying to grab one of the empty chairs. When someone shouts 'Fruit Salad!', everyone swaps seats at the same time, and it gets especially lively.
Ball Name Game
Everyone stands in a circle, and whoever throws the ball calls out the name of the person who should catch it. After a few rounds, you can switch it up by going backwards or using two balls at the same time. It's a simple yet effective icebreaker game for new groups, and you'll be surprised how quickly names stick.
Name Wool Network
Everyone stands or sits in a circle. The person holding the ball of yarn says their name and shares something about themselves, then holds onto the end of the thread and tosses the ball to someone else. Gradually, a dense web of threads forms across the circle, creating a beautiful picture of how closely connected a group can become in a short amount of time.
Partner Interview
Have two kids who don't know each other ask each other questions for a few minutes, like their names, favorite animals, and what they love to play. After that, each child introduces their partner to the whole group. It's a great icebreaker that helps even shy kids join the conversation.
Silent Line Formation
Without saying a word, the group should line up according to a given criterion, like birth month or height. Since talking is not allowed, everyone has to communicate using gestures, making it a quiet yet very interactive icebreaker game.
Finding Commonalities
In small groups of three to four kids, everyone quickly shares what they have in common, aside from obvious things like clothing. Whether it's favorite color, pets, or hobbies, at the end, each group presents their commonalities. It's a relaxed way to kick things off and shows how much you can share with kids you don't know yet.
Human Bingo
Each child gets a bingo card with fields like "has blue eyes" or "can stand on one leg" and has to find a matching person in the group for each field within the time limit and get them to sign it. The first one to fill an entire row shouts "Bingo!" It's an active icebreaker and movement game that works especially well for larger, unfamiliar groups.
Quiet circle and memory games
For circle time, a quick break, or just in between: These games require little space and no movement, but they do need concentration and good listening skills.
I Pack My Suitcase
One by one, a suitcase is packed. Each child first repeats all the items mentioned so far in the correct order before adding a new one. It's a classic memory game for the circle time that trains memory and concentration, becoming trickier with each round.
View instructions →Kim's Game
On a tray, there are five to ten small items that all the kids can study for a minute. Then, the tray is covered, one item is secretly removed, and the first person to guess what’s missing wins the round. It's a classic memory and observation game that can be played repeatedly with new items.
I see something that you don't see
One child secretly chooses an object in the room and only describes its color: "I see something that you don't see, and it's red." The others take turns guessing which object is meant. Whoever guesses correctly gets to choose a new object next. It's a calm guessing and observation game that can be played spontaneously anywhere, whether in a circle, in the car, or while waiting.
Secret Sign Chain
The group lines up, all facing forward. Only the last person can come up with a small movement (like waving, winking, or shrugging) and taps the person in front to show it to them. This way, the movement silently travels through the whole line until the first person describes or demonstrates it out loud, usually quite changed. It's the silent version of Chinese whispers, where movements are passed on instead of words.
The Multiplication Clap Game
Together, you count loudly from one, and whenever a number from a previously chosen times table comes up, you clap instead of counting. What sounds simple becomes quite tricky as the tempo increases. If someone makes a mistake, they can laugh it off and just start over. This way, math turns into a fun movement game.
View instructions →Team and trust games
These games only work together. They clearly show how much more a group can achieve than each person alone.
Game 'Ant Strength'
Inspired by ants, which can carry many times their own weight together, each small group looks for the largest branch they can find and tries to figure out how many hands it takes to carry it together. It's a simple yet powerful experience that shows how much more a group can achieve together than anyone can alone.
View instructions →
Carrot Pulling
All the kids lie on their bellies in a circle on the floor, holding hands like firmly rooted carrots. One child, the 'Gardener', tries to pull the kids out of the circle one by one, while the rest hold on as tightly as possible. It's a strength and team game that quickly shows how much stronger it is to hold on together than to pull apart individually.
View instructions →Human Knot
All the kids stand in a circle, stretch their hands into the middle, and randomly grab two different hands from other kids, never the ones next to them. This creates a tangled mess of arms that the group has to untangle together by climbing over and turning around, all without letting go of each other's hands. It's a game that requires communication and patience, and it's often even more fun for the adults than for the kids themselves.
Blind Guidance
Always have two kids form a pair, one of them gets blindfolded while the other carefully guides them by the hand or with clear instructions through a small obstacle course. After halfway, they switch roles. It's a calm trust game that shows how well two kids can rely on each other.
Building towers with spaghetti and marshmallows
Each team gets a handful of raw spaghetti, some tape, and a few marshmallows, and they have a set amount of time to build the tallest freestanding tower, with a marshmallow on top. It's a tricky construction game where it quickly becomes clear that teams who experiment first instead of planning for too long end up with the sturdiest towers.
Pass the tire around in a circle
All the kids stand in a circle, holding hands, with a hula hoop hanging over one pair of connected hands at the start. Without letting go of each other's hands, the hoop has to travel completely around the circle, so each child has to wiggle their way through. It's a cooperative game that challenges both skill and communication.
Circle time without chairs
All the kids line up closely in a circle and, on command, carefully lower themselves onto the knees of the person behind them, creating a circle without any chairs that holds itself up. If it works, there’s a lot of cheering; if it doesn’t, the whole circle usually collapses into laughter. It’s a game of trust and balance that deserves a few tries.
Catch and Movement Games
When it's time to burn off some energy, these games are just what you need. Most of them only require a bit of space and no materials at all.
Robbers and Squirrels. A Quick Group Game
The squirrels first hide their nuts in the play area while the robbers watch closely from the sidelines and memorize the hiding spots. After that, both groups must simultaneously find as many nuts as possible and bring them back to their stash. Anyone who doesn't collect the predetermined number is out. It's a fast-paced memory and racing game for the woods or playground that gets more exciting with each round.
View instructions →
Icicle Catch Game
One person plays the role of Frau Holle and taps the other kids. When tapped, the child instantly freezes like an icicle and stands still. The icicle can only be freed when two other kids stand on either side and form a small sun circle with their arms around them. This winter tag game naturally encourages teamwork and mutual support.
View instructions →
Freeze Dance
As long as the music is playing, everyone dances, spins, and jumps. When it suddenly stops, everyone has to freeze in place. Anyone who moves or laughs is out, until only the stillest statue remains at the end.
View instructions →
Fire, Water, Lightning
In the game 'Fire', everyone runs to a designated corner, for 'Water' they move to a higher spot, and when 'Lightning' is called, everyone lies flat on the ground, as quickly as possible after the command. It's a fun reaction game that you can easily expand with your own made-up commands.
View instructions →
Hide and Seek Sardines. A Fun Hiding Game
One child hides while the others search individually. Whoever finds the hiding spot quietly squeezes in instead of revealing it. Little by little, it gets tighter and more giggly in the hiding place until finally, only one child is left searching and the whole group is discovered.
View instructions →
1, 2, 3 - Ox on the Hill
One child stands with their back to the group against a wall and calls out '1, 2, 3, Ox on the mountain' while the others sneak up from the starting line. When the child turns around, everyone must freeze immediately; anyone who moves has to go back to the start. The first one to touch the wall wins and gets to be the Ox next time.
View instructions →Chain Tag
One child starts as the catcher. When someone gets caught, they hold onto the catcher and become part of a growing chain that has to keep chasing together. The longer the chain gets, the harder it is to coordinate, making the game more chaotic and fun as the group grows.
Ninja
Everyone stands in a circle, and on command, everyone jumps into a fighting pose at the same time. Then, one person takes their turn and tries to touch the hand of a neighbor with a single, frozen movement, while the neighbor can quickly dodge. If you get touched, you're out. It's a fast-paced reflex game where, in the end, often the calmest, not the fastest person wins.
Simon says
One player gives movement instructions like "Simon says: Jump once!", which should only be followed if "Simon says" is actually mentioned first. If a command is followed without this starting signal, the child is out. It's a game that tests both listening skills and self-control.
Relay Games
Whether in the garden, on the schoolyard, or at the summer festival: relay games bring teamwork and competitive fun together in short, manageable rounds.
Water Sponge Relay
Each team forms a line, with a bucket of water at the front and an empty bucket at the back. A large sponge is soaked in the full bucket and passed hand to hand over the head to the back, until it is squeezed out over the empty bucket. The team that fills the back bucket to the brim first wins. It's a wet and fun activity that feels even better on hot days.
View instructions →
Sack Race
Each team member takes turns hopping in a big sack for a set distance before passing the sack to the next child. It's not just about speed; balance is key. If you bounce too wildly, you might end up on your nose, which is sure to bring lots of laughter.
View instructions →
Egg Race in the Woods
Each child balances an egg on a spoon while moving over a set distance, passing the spoon and egg to the next team member without dropping it. If the egg falls, they have to start over. It's a relay game that tests both skill and nerves.
View instructions →Balloon Knee Relay
Each child places an inflated balloon between their knees and has to cover a set distance without losing it or letting it pop. If the balloon falls, they need to clamp it back in place before continuing. It's a wobbly relay race where often the slowest ones end up winning.
Backward Running Relay
Instead of running forward, in this relay race each child runs the course backward, which is not as easy as it sounds and leads to lots of laughter and a bit of chaos. It's a fun twist on the classic relay race that even experienced runners will find to be a new challenge.
Three-Legged Race
Two kids stand side by side, tying one leg together with a cloth or a string, and they have to walk the distance in sync. Without communication and rhythm, nothing works here. It's a classic partner relay game that challenges both their communication skills and leg coordination.
Great Outdoor Group Games
These games need a bit more space, but they work really well with larger groups.
Play Viking Chess
Two teams compete against each other with throwing sticks, trying to knock down the opponent's wooden blocks first and ultimately hit the king in the middle. The game is played on grass or sand, requiring skill, strategy, and good communication within the team. It's easy to explain, but becomes more exciting as your skills improve.
View instructions →
Cops and Robbers
The group splits into robbers and gendarmes (police officers). The gendarmes try to catch all the robbers, often using a common prison where captured robbers can be freed by their teammates. It's a fast-paced mix of tag and hide-and-seek that works with as few as four kids and is even more fun with a larger group outdoors.
View instructions →Tug of War
A thick rope is marked in the middle, and two teams pull from either side until one team has pulled the marker over a designated line. It's a simple yet highly effective test of strength, where teamwork and communication often matter more than sheer force.
Treasure Hunt in Teams
Several teams receive the same set of clues or puzzles that lead them one after the other to new locations in the garden, park, or forest, where a shared treasure or a little surprise awaits at the end. Depending on the age of the participants, the puzzles can be adjusted from simple picture clues to tricky brain teasers, making it a game that can be tailored to fit your group perfectly.
Dodgeball
Two teams face off on a field divided in the middle, trying to hit their opponents with a soft ball. If you get hit, you have to switch to the other team's side. From there, you can return to your own team by catching a ball. It's a classic from gym class that combines throwing skills and teamwork.
Burning Ball
Similar to baseball, but simpler: One child hits or throws a ball into the field and then runs a set lap while the opposing team tries to catch the ball as quickly as possible and shouts 'Burn!' If the runner finishes their lap before the shout, the team scores a point. It's an energetic team game perfect for the playground or a field.
Flag Snatching
The playing field is divided into two halves, with each team hiding a flag or cloth in their half. The goal is to steal the opponent's flag and bring it back to their own area without getting caught. If you get tagged in the opponent's area, you have to go to their prison, where teammates can rescue you. It's a large-scale tactical and running game that requires plenty of space and can keep everyone engaged for hours.
Dragon Tail Tag
Each child tucks a cloth or a sash into the back of their waistband, creating a 'dragon tail', and tries to steal the tails from others while defending their own. If someone loses their tail, they are out or can continue collecting on the sidelines. In the end, the winner is the one who has captured the most tails or is the last one still holding onto their own.
Noch mehr Inspiration?
Die Grubenfuchs-App!
- Über 1.000 Ideen & Partyspiele für Kinder
- Persönliche Geschichten & eigenes Erlebnistagebuch
- Wochenplaner für den Alltag mit Kindern
- Favoriten speichern, Anleitungen & PDF-Vorlagen
- 100% werbefrei & kindersicher
Do you know of a group game that we absolutely need to add here? This collection will keep growing over time. In the meantime, you can find more ideas for parties and games in our categories or in the free Grubenfuchs app. Have fun playing together!