Gameplay
6+ Players 👥
2-4 Minutes ⏱️
What You’ll Need
An open play space
A way to mark a “center line” (optional)
Setup
Divide the group into two even teams.
Have teams line up on opposite sides of the play space facing each other.
Teach and practice each animal action and sound with the whole group before starting.
How to Play
Teach the animals
Lion (beats Snake): Stand tall, pound chest, and roar.
Snake (beats Mouse): Wiggle arms like slithering and hiss.
Mouse (beats Lion): Crouch low, squeak, and make little ear motions.
Practice together: Call out one animal at a time for everyone to try the motions and sounds.
Teams huddle: Each team secretly chooses an animal.
Showdown: Teams line up. Leader calls, “LION, SNAKE, MOUSE…GO!” Both teams act out their chosen animal.
Determine winner:
Winning team chases losing team back to their side.
Tagged players join the opposite team.
If it’s a tie, no chase—re-huddle and try again.
End the game: Play until one team absorbs all players or a set time limit ends.
Say Something Like
“Alright everyone—this is like Rock-Paper-Scissors, but bigger, louder, and sillier! You’re going to roar like lions, hiss like snakes, or squeak like tiny mice. But watch out…every animal has another that beats it. Let’s see who can rule the food chain!”
Variations
Silent Version – Use only the motions, no sounds.
Captain’s Choice – Only a team captain acts it out.
Freeze Tag Twist – Tagged players freeze in place until a teammate unfreezes them with a tap.
Discipleship Teaching Points
Just like each animal has strength against another, we all have areas where we’re strong and areas where we’re weak. God can use both! (2 Corinthians 12:9–10)
Secular Teaching Points
Teaches teamwork, quick thinking, and good sportsmanship. Players learn how to lead, follow, and have fun even when switching teams.
This game idea was submitted by the Josh Barriger. If you want to support him, head over and buy him a coffee!
Keywords: Rock-Paper-Scissors, animal game, chase game, teamwork, icebreaker
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