looking for new super fun activities that your girls youth group will love? Join me as I share with you an easy activity that will engage your teens, encourage teamwork, and help them use their creativity to make some awesome outfits!
I loved youth groups as a teenager. The majority of my friendships I still have today were made at teen gatherings where I could have fun with other young people excited about serving the Lord.
I am now honored to be serving as one of our church youth leaders. But coming up with new games that keep the teens engaged and don’t bust the budget can be tricky.
That is why I loved this activity as It cost practically nothing and yet the girls were so invested in the game that it went on for as long as it possibly could!
For this youth group, we did something abit different by splitting up the boys and girls to do activities and devotionals specifically for them. While this activity is perfect for a girls youth group it would also be really fun for boys by putting a different spin on it.
An idea to customize this activity would be to make the theme the armor of God.
By the end of this post, you’ll be inspired and ready to share this activity with your youth group and host your very own recycled fashion competition (they’re gonna love it)!
Super Fun Girls Youth Group Activity
What You’ll Need
I originally planned this activity as a way to put my stash of brown paper bags to good use. I also sent out a request on the youth Whatsapp group asking that people bring any newspapers, bags, boxes etc.
For more variety, you could also offer them plastic bottles, bags, egg cartons, any sort of recycled items!
I was amazed by how much leftover supplies we had, so you needn’t have an excessive amount. Newspapers and bags go a long way when they are cut and opened out.
They will also require things like tape and scissors. Hot glue is an option too.
Lastly, provide some sort of paper and pen for them to brainstorm. I designed a simple template page that would give the girls something to base their designs around. To use the template I designed, click the button below, then simply download and print.
Materials List:
- Newspaper
- Paper bags
- Cardboard
- Tape (packing tape is ideal)
- Scissors (enough for at least 2 per team)
- Brainstorm Paper
- Singlets or tees optional (it was great to have options on hand for the girls to put under their dresses if all they had was long sleeves for example).
The Activity
Rule and Requirements:
We had a few people away and so our teams were very small with just 3 people in each. I recommend doing lots of small teams, with 3-5 people in each. In larger groups its easy for voices and ideas to be lost, or there be not enough jobs to go around.
I tasked the teams with each making 1 dress, 1 hat, and 1 bag. They were to select one member of the team as their model of the garments.
The teams were given just over an hour to make their 3 items, however this time limit was stretched. I would recommend allowing at least 1 1/2 hours for the whole activity.
The only requirement I gave was that the dresses be appropriate i.e.. covered shoulders and dress length to at least the knees.
It could be fun to add your own categories to be judged on, as in best themed outfit, it has to have something to do with the Bible… etc
How It Went
I loved the way the girls worked together as they crafted these master pieces. Every single girl played a massive role in the construction and had unique ideas to offer the team.
Some wished they had longer to refine the details, however we were so impressed by what they accomplished in such a short time.
When it came to judging, each team was given time to present and explain their models outfit. They gave some context and pointed out details to the judges. It’s always good fun as they try to sway the judges.
In the end, first place went to the model on the right with her gorgeous puffy dress and sleeves, plus wide rim hat and matching purse.
I hope this post was a blessing to you and has equipped you with a great new game to add to your youth leader game arsenal.
