For this game gather everyone into a circle. Each player will need to come up with their own sign. Signs include actions that are physical movements and don’t include making a sound. For example, scratching your cheek, a hair flip, doing a “peace” sign or thumbs up, etc. Go around and have each player demonstrate their sign for the group and make sure there are no duplicate signs.
Once everyone has demonstrated their sign, have one person volunteer to go into the middle of the circle. This person will close their eyes, and the group will then decide who’s sign will start the game. The goal of the people in the circle is to silently pass the sign along without the designated person in the middle catching you doing the sign. You pass the sign by doing your sign first and then another person’s. If the person you are trying to pass the sign to does not see you, keep doing it (but don’t get caught) or pick someone else and do yours and their signs. Pay attention because the sign can move quickly! If the person in the middle sees you doing a sign, you are now in the middle and the game starts over. This is a fun game, but it can last a long time.
NOTE: Reference the SILENT ANIMAL CIRCLE and the NEWSPAPER NAME BOP games as a comparison.
Jonathan McKee
Jonathan McKee is the author of over twenty books including the brand new The Guy's Guide to FOUR BATTLES Every Young Man Must Face; The Teen’s Guide to Social Media & Mobile Devices; If I Had a Parenting Do Over; and the Amazon Best Seller - The Guy's Guide to God, Girls and the Phone in Your Pocket. He speaks to parents and leaders worldwide, all while providing free resources for youth workers on TheSource4YM.com. Jonathan, his wife Lori, and their three kids live in California.
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Jamie
October 5, 2011 at 12:00 amHilarious game, especially when played with a larger group.
Maggie J. May
October 15, 2011 at 12:00 amThis is great spiritual teaching materials for children/youth and myself.
Jim Slinker
October 17, 2011 at 12:00 amWe used it at after school club. We got good participation and interest.
Gil
October 26, 2011 at 12:00 amThis is the greatest scene! The discussion for this writes itself!
Jason
September 13, 2012 at 12:00 amOur kids love this one!
Jason
September 13, 2012 at 12:00 amJenna
October 17, 2012 at 12:00 amIf you get 20 or more people playing this game, it’s a blast! Our kids love it and will play it for hours on end!
Gavin
July 23, 2015 at 12:00 amHugely popular with my youth group
Blake
May 10, 2019 at 12:36 pmThis sounds great but I’m slightly confused, how does the one in the middle know the signs are being passed around when the moves are silent and the one in the middle has there eyes closed?
Thanks
Anonymous
May 21, 2019 at 4:04 pmBlake, after someone has been assigned the “ball” the person in the middle opens their eyes. So they spin around in the circle trying to catch someone in the moment of passing.