Youth Group Game: Combination Lock Challenge
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Written by Mike Sheley
I recently pulled out a game at a retreat that I had used a version of in a back to school series a couple years ago.
The game turned out to be a hit with students, where some chose to continue playing it again during our free time!
It is quite simple, requires a minimal amount of supplies, and hits middle school world perfectly.
It’s a relay race where students unlock combination locks.
This is a new skill they are having to learn for school.
Some will be amazing and some will struggle with this game. That’s where teamwork comes in.
And we’ve given you a few options to really customize this to fit your group best or to replay with variations!
Junior High Game: Combination Lock Challenge
DOWNLOAD THE PDF VERSION OF THIS GAME
Quick Overview:
Take the challenge and new middle school skill of mastering a combination lock and turn it into a relay race!!!
Supplies:
1. Combination Locks. As stores clear out their back-to-school supplies, you may be able to find some good deals. Also, look at office supply stores and other places for packs of two to three locks to save money.
2. The Combinations to Each Lock. To save yourself a big headache, I recommend using a sharpie to label each lock, (A1, B2, etc), and write that same label on the combination.
3. Cardstock or notecards.
Prep:
Either handwrite the combination to each lock on one side of a notecard with the label on the other side or type these up and print them on cardstock.
Set the combination locks at one end of your playing area.
Set the combinations at the other end of your playing area.
That’s it for prep!
Game Play:
1. Divide students into two teams. If you have students of different grades, make sure it is fair by having a mix of older and younger students on each team as this game will usually be more difficult for younger students.
2. Students line up as teams on the side where the combination locks are.
3. On “Go!”, the first student grabs a combination and runs down to the locks. They then have to find the combination with the same label on it as the combination card they have brought with them.
4. Once the student finds the lock that matches their card, they “simply” have to open the lock.
5. When the lock is open, that student races back to the line where they tag the next person. He or she repeats this process until everyone has gone.
6. First team to get all their locks unlocked wins!
Options:
• Passing. Students who struggle to open a lock may pass by running back to the line and handing their combination to the next person in line. You can allow an unlimited number of passes or you can set a limit of 2-3 per team.
• Hallway Simulator Instead of allowing students to take the combination with them, make them leave the combination and do the lock from memory. This added level of difficulty is good if you are running this in heats for a tournament or have mostly older students who have lots of experience with combination locks.
• Reuse To save money on locks, just purchase three per team. Each person shows their opened lock to a leader. As that student runs back to their line, the leader closes the lock and spins the dial. This way you can reuse a few locks with any number of students.
• Scrambled Combinations For an even higher level of difficulty, give students an envelope that has three cards in it with the three numbers to the combination. They have to try each variation to figure out the correct combination. That would give six possible options for each combination. This is great to do as a bonus round with leaders competing.
If you liked this lesson, be sure to check out the…
Massive Jr High Ministry Bundle, which ends on Thursday, March 23 at 11pm Eastern U.S. time!
FOR $99 GET $1,189 WORTH OF JUNIOR HIGH MINISTRY RESOURCES
