4 games to celebrate fall and Thanksgiving

Fall and Thanksgiving are great times to discuss how God provides for us, giving us things like food, clothing, and seasonal game equipment. You can use Indian corn or bread sticks for batons, pumpkins for color pins, gourds for beanbags, etc.*

If you're feeling even more festive or adventurous, here are four games for additional seasonal fun with God's bounty! All games can be played throughout the year with standard game equipment or other themed items.

*Phony food is recommended and can be found with other seasonal items at your local dollar store. If you opt for real food, be prepared for cleanup — Indian corn flings kernels, pumpkins show their squashyness, and bread may be mistaken for mashed potatoes.

Feast Relay

Materials Needed:

• 1 flimsy paper plate per team
• 1 apple per team
• 1 bread stick (or ear of Indian corn) per team
• 1 gourd per team
• 1 small pumpkin per team
• 5 players from each team
• Game Circle or other relay area

Each player receives one food item. The starting players also receive the plates. At the whistle, the starting players balance their single food item on their plates while running one lap around the circle to the passing zone (the space between their colored diagonal and the colored diagonal immediately clockwise). Depending on the age group, players may or may not use their hands to help with balance. When the starting players enter their passing zone, they hand off their plate and food item to the second players. The second players balance both pieces of food on their plates for the second lap, then hand the plate and both food items to the third players, who balance all three food items on their plates. Play continues until the last players complete one lap with the plates and all the food. Once they cross their team's diagonal, they may drop everything and run in for the scoring pin or beanbag.

Variations:

• Place obstacles in the way, such as hoops they must step in or chairs they must step over.
• Use more food items.
• Use smaller paper plates.

Pumpkin Toss

Materials Needed:

• 1 small cornucopia per team
• 1 small pumpkin per team
• 2 players from each team
• Game circle or other tossing zone

Starting players stand holding their cornucopias in their teams' small triangles in the center of the game circle. Second players stand with their pumpkins outside the white circle in their teams' zone. At the whistle, Second players try to toss their pumpkins into their teammates' cornucopia. Cornucopia holders may move their cornucopias to catch the pumpkins, but they may not leave their triangles. When they catch the pumpkins, they run down their teams' diagonal, around their pin, and in for the scoring pin or beanbag. They must be holding their cornucopias and pumpkins to score.

Variations:

• Increase or decrease the tossing distance.
• For younger players, have a tub or bucket in the middle to toss pumpkins into. First player to get his pumpkin into the bucket wins.

Bundle-Up Relay

Materials Needed:

• One oversized sweatshirt per team
• One oversized pair of sweatpants per team
• One pair of giant gloves per team
• One winter hat per team
• 3 players from each team.
• 1 leader per team to help players
• Game Circle or other relay area

Put each team's winter wear at the color diagonals. The first players start at their color lines. At the whistle, Players put on all the clothing (leaders, teammates may need to help) then run one lap around the circle. When they reach their teams' zones, they remove the clothing and give it to the second players. The second players put it all on and run one lap. Play continues until the last players run one lap, cross their color diagonals and go in for the scoring pin or beanbag.

Variations:

• Only use sweatshirts
• May choose different clothing items. 
• Team sizes may vary

On the Farm

Materials Needed:

• 1 blindfold per team
• 1 player from each team
• Game Square or other square area

Each team is assigned a farm animal. Players are blindfolded, spun around, and placed somewhere in the square away from their teams. At the whistle, teams make the sounds of their farm animals. Players must listen for their teams' farm animal sounds and try to return to their team lines. First team to guide their teammate back across their color line wins. Teams must remain behind their lines when making animal sounds.

What are some of the seasonal games you do with your clubbers? Share in the comments!

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