Church picnics bring families of a congregation together and give them a chance to get to know each other better. When selecting outdoor games for the picnic, you should consider a few simple games that are easy for people of all ages to play. Even people not playing the games can have fun cheering everyone on. Entice everyone to play by awarding small prizes, such as pocket Bibles and bookmarks, to all the game winners.
Gorilla Race
Divide the players up into equal teams of about 10 players. Mark a starting line and finish line about 20 feet apart. Have all the teams line up at the starting line. When you say, “Race,” the first player in each team line must grab his ankles and run like a gorilla to the finish line. Once he reaches the finish line, he can run back to tag the next teammate in line. Each player on the team must do the same thing. The first team to finish the relay race wins the game and a prize.
Heads or Tails Knockout
Have everyone stand in a circle and select one player to toss the coin. Give that player a coin and have him stand in the middle of the circle. Have all the players who think the coin will land on heads when tossed in the air raise their hand. Have the player toss the coin. If it lands on heads, all players not raising their hands must sit down and are out of the game. If it lands on tails, all players with their hands up are out of the game. Keep playing until only one person remains, who is the winner of the game.
Lemon Bowling
Place 10 plastic cups (upside down) on a hard surface in a pyramid shape, like bowling pins. Mark a standing line about 15 feet away for children and 20 feet away for adults. Give each player five lemons to roll at the pins. After each roll, reset the pins. Keep record of each player’s score. The player who scores the highest number out of five rolls wins the game. If there is a tie, have a “bowl-off” by letting all the tied players play again.
Statues
Select one player to be the “host” and have all other players stand in front of her (facing her). The host must show the players a funny position, such as standing on one leg or standing on one leg and one hand, the players have to do the position until the host shows them another position. Any player who falls down or moves out of the position is out of the game. The last player standing wins the game. Other things the host can do to try to throw the players out of position are pat her head or rub her tummy.
