Gameplay
6+ Players 👥
8-12 Minutes ⏱️
What You’ll Need
Chairs (one fewer than players)
A basketball or any ball, one per player
A hoop, or a laundry basket / trash can as the target
Music you can stop on a dime
Setup
Arrange the chairs in a circle or a line, one fewer than the number of players.
Set the hoop or basket a few steps away from the chairs.
Every player holds a ball while they walk.
How to Play
Circle up.
Players walk around the chairs while the music plays, ball in hand.Music stops.
Instead of sitting, everyone sprints to the hoop and shoots.Make it, take it.
Anyone who scores runs back and claims a chair. Keep shooting until you make it.Odd one out.
The last player without a chair is out. Remove a chair and play again.
Say Something Like
“It’s musical chairs, but the chair isn’t yours until you earn it. When the music stops, run to the hoop, hit a shot, and then go find a seat. Miss? Keep shooting. Last one standing is out!”
Variations
Laundry Basket League: No hoop? A laundry hamper and any soft ball works just as well.
Free Throw Line: Set a shooting line to make it harder for older groups.
Two Hoops: Big group? Run two baskets so nobody waits.
Discipleship Teaching Points
Nobody gets a seat by just showing up. Use it to talk about effort, perseverance, and finishing what you start. Reference: Galatians 6:9.
Secular Teaching Points
Combines listening, hustle, and basic shooting skill. Great for PE classes and basketball teams as a warm-up.
This game idea was published by the team at Dig the Games.
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Keywords: musical chairs, basketball game, gym game, PE game, youth group game, active game
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