Theme: Explore the Sacraments of Matrimony and Holy Orders

Virtue: Hope (to expect something good will happen; a confident expectation of good things to come)

---

FIND YOUR SAINT PARTNER

 

Theme Connection: 

The saints are great examples of people who have chosen to follow Christ in the vocation of priesthood and religious life, or the vocation of marriage. They are a witness of hope for each one of us, for we are all called to be saints.   

 

You’ll need:

• Find Your Saint Partner game cards (1 card/child)

Set up:

• Print and cut the Find Your Saint Partner Cards. For durability, print and laminate the cards on cardstock. 
• Print enough matching cards for the number of kids playing the game. Example: If you have 18 kids playing the game, be sure to print 2 copies of 9 different cards. 

Activity:

Mix up the cards and scatter them in the center of the games area.

1. Everyone will race to grab ONE card and then try to find the other player(s) with the same matching card. 
2. When you find your partner, link arms and run together to try to find the games leader. 
3. The first two or three teams to give their matching cards to the leader wins. Collect all the cards, mix them up, and play several rounds. To make it more challenging, the games leader can hide in different locations. 

Game variation for older kids:

1. Try playing a few rounds with actions only, no talking or no showing cards. (Ex. If the saint on the card is holding a broom, then make sweeping actions. If the saint is on her knees, then kneel down in prayer, etc.)

 

 

SACRAMENT SEARCH

 

Theme Connection: 

This game is a fun way to review the seven sacraments that we’ve been learning about this week. 

 

You’ll need:

• Sacrament Posters
• Sacrament Checklist (1/team)
• 7 different colored markers
• Tape and string

Set up:

• Post the Sacrament Posters in seven different locations in your games area. To make the game more challenging, you can hide the posters.
• Put the designated colored marker at each poster location and attach it to the poster using the tape and string. This will ensure that the kids don’t run off with the markers.

Activity:

1. Get into equal teams.
2. Each team will receive a checklist.
3. Your team must link arms to find all seven Sacrament Posters. If a team leader catches your team not linked together, your team will have to stop and sit down for 30 seconds. 
4. When you find a Sacrament Poster, you must check it off on your list with the correct colored marker. There will be a different colored marker at each poster location. Ex. You’ll find a blue colored marker at the “Baptism” poster. Be sure to check off that box on your list with the blue marker.
5. The first team to check off all the sacraments with the correct colors, wins. Younger kids (with the help of a group leader) can play this game too as they can match the pictures with the posters.

 

 

SKUNKS, BEARS AND CAMPERS

 

Theme Connection: 

This is a fun game that goes along with the wilderness theme. It’s similar to the classic game of Rock, Paper, Scissors where two teams face off and decide to become skunks, bears or campers. 

Ages: 7 and up

 

You’ll need:

• Four orange safety cones

Set up:

• Mark off an end zone for each team. 

Activity:

1. Divide into two teams. 
2. Form a team huddle and decide whether your team is going to be a skunk, bear, or camper. 

• Skunks hold their noses and say “Stinky.” 
• Bears stand on their tippy toes, lift up their arms, and make a growling noise: “Roooar!”
• Campers, yell out “I got you,” while spraying bear spray. 

Practice each motion together a few times. 

The winner of each round is determined by the following:

• Bears defeat skunks by scaring them away.
• Skunks defeat the campers by “stinking” them up.
• Campers defeat the bears with bear spray or loud noises. 
• Identical characters are a draw (no one wins).

1. Both teams line up and turn their back to one another about 5 feet apart. 
2. When I say “3... 2...1...go,” each team member turns around to face their opponents and acts out (skunk, bear or camper).
3. If your team wins, you have to try and tag as many people on the other team before they reach their side of the playing field. Once they pass the end zone without being tagged, they are safe. 
4. Whoever was tagged has to join the opposite team. The game continues until only a couple players are left on a team. 

 

 

WHAT SACRAMENT AM I?

 

You’ll need:

• Sacrament posters
• Tape

Activity:

1. The leaders are going to tape a sacrament poster to your back. 
2. Go around asking other players a question to try and guess your sacrament. A few examples of questions: Does my sacrament involve water? Do I go to Mass to receive this sacrament? Are wedding rings used in this sacrament? Do I go to confession in this sacrament?  Do I become a priest in this sacrament? Does the Holy Spirit get stirred up in my heart? Does a priest bless a sick person in this sacrament?
3. You can only ask one question per player. 

 

 

SLEEPING BAG RACES

 

You’ll need:

• Sleeping bags (1/team)

Activity:

1. Each team will get one sleeping bag. 
2. The first person from each team will get into the sleeping bag and hop to a finish line and back. 
3. The next person on the team will go next. 
4. Play continues until everyone on the team has run the race. This game should be played outdoors to avoid slipping on slippery indoor floors.

 

 

FAVORITE VBS GAME OF THE WEEK

 

The kids will certainly enjoy re-playing a favorite game of the week. 

You’ll need:

• Supplies for the favorite game of the week

Activity:

1. Have fun!

 

 

Back to Games Home