Train Wreck

Gameplay

• 8+ Players 👥

• 5-8 Minutes ⏱️

What You’ll Need

• Chairs (1 less than the number of players)

• A large open space (indoors or outdoors)

Setup

• Arrange chairs in a large circle.

• Make sure there is one fewer chair than the number of players.

• Choose one person to stand in the middle.

How to Play

• Start with an introduction: Have the person in the middle say their name and one fact (like “I like pizza” or “I have a dog”).

• Make a statement: They then say, “Everyone who ____” (e.g., “has a dog” or “is wearing blue”).

• Players scramble: Everyone who fits that category must get up and find a new seat—including the person in the middle!

• One person left out: There will always be one person left without a chair. They now go to the middle and repeat the process.

• Add the twist: If the person in the middle yells “Train Wreck!” everyone must get up and switch to a new seat—no matter what!

Say Something Like
"Let’s get to know each other the fun way! If you’re in the middle, share your name and then call out a category. If it applies to you—move! Just don’t be the last one standing!"

Variations

• No Repeats: Players can’t sit in a chair they’ve already sat in.

• Name Reversal: Before they say a category, the person in the middle must first say someone’s name correctly—or they go again!

Discipleship Teaching Points
This game highlights awareness of others and listening carefully—an opening to talk about being attentive to the needs of others, like Philippians 2:4: “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”

Secular Teaching Points
Helps build name recognition, active listening, and inclusion skills—great for fostering a sense of community and reducing social barriers in new groups.

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Keywords: icebreaker, name game, chairs, group bonding, fast-paced, listening skills, no prep game, low prep game,

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