Preteen Ministry Game – Shuffle Your Buns

Shuffle Your Buns is one of my favorite preteen games. It’s a classic youth game that works great with preteens. I’m sure you could tie it into some type of message, but I’ve mostly played it as an icebreaker activity. I have literally played this game 100’s of times (ok, really close maybe?) with preteens throughout the years and they love it!

Here’s how to play:

Preteens get in a circle while sitting in chairs.  They should be facing inside the circle. Leave one chair empty.  One player is standing in the middle of the circle.  On GO, the player to the left of the empty chair sits in the empty chair.  The next player sits in the open chair, then the next player sits in it.  Each player continues to sit in the chair next to them when it is open.  The player in the middle attempts to sit in an empty chair.  If successful, the player whose turn it was to sit in the chair is eliminated.  If unsuccessful after two minutes, then the player in the middle is eliminated.  Before eliminating players, play a few rounds so preteens get a feel for the game.  After they get the hang of it, add the following two elements.  Periodically the leader calls SWITCH and players switch the direction of who sits in the empty seat.  Whenever two players want, they can signal each other to switch sitting in each others chairs.  Makes the game even more fun.  Continue playing until only two players remain, then declare them the winners.