Youth Ministry Games : NAME THAT BALL!

With a marker, label the boxes 1-5 (write very large and visible on two opposite sides of each box). Set up room as you would a game show studio with two long tables at the front or "stage area" of room. The two tables should be placed end to end making the appearance of one very long table.
Cover this long table with a table cloth (or two) so that it drapes down touching the floor on the audience side. Make a gap between the two tables in such a way that the table cloth hides it and the two tables still appear to be one long table covered with a table cloth (gap should be about 6 or 7 inches). Cut a hole in the table cloth over the gap just barely big enough for a human head to fit through. Then place the boxes evenly spaced out on this long table in order (1-5) so that the numbers are facing the audience (the other numbers are facing away from the audience).
Now place a different type of ball under each box, except the box in the middle (should be box #3) this box is placed over the hole cut in the table cloth. You may make a sign out of poster board that runs the length of the
table which says "NAME THAT BALL!" (decorate it however you like and hang it in front of the table in plain view of the audience--this is optional but adds to the game show atmosphere.)

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You are now ready to play the game!! Before your audience enters the room have a youth leader or adult hide under the table pushing their head up through the hole giving the appearance of a head sitting on the table--then place box #3 over his/her head just as you did the balls on the table.
Once your audience is seated you begin by welcoming them to the game show "Name that Ball" (it generates more excitement to point at your sign and try to get your audience to shout it out with you--do your best game show host imitation!) Ask for 4 or 5 volunteers. Once you have picked the "contestants" ask them to leave the room (preferrably with a leader) tell them they will be called one at a time to play "Name that Ball". Once they are out of earshot you quickly explain to the audience that each contestant must run to the box that has the number that you call out and lift up the box, they then must identify in a loud voice what type of ball they see (hence, the name of the game). Explain that the contestant will think that this is a timed event so it is very important for the audience to cheer them on. The fun begins when the hurried and excited contestant reaches for the last box (box #3) and as he lifts it up expecting to see a ball--to his horror he finds a head smiling up at him (or startling him with a loud noise and frightening expression!). You can show the audience the head under the box at this point--this generates excitement and anticipation. ( they can't wait to see the unsuspecting contestants reaction).
You may then call in the first contestant. Welcome them to "Name that Ball" and quickly explain the rules to them (of course without mentioning what lies under box #3) Don't forget to mention that they are competing with the other contestants for the best time! Have the contestant stand behind the table facing the audience (so they can see the reaction). Notice both the contestant and the audience can clearly see the numbers on the boxes. Now begin the excitement by saying "Ready.....BOX #1!!!" the contestant will then run to that box lift it up and announce in a loud voice "football!" (or whatever he sees). You continue to call out the other box numbers in an order which causes your contestant to run back and forth lifting boxes and shouting out his response, getting ever closer to box #3--meanwhile the audience is cheering the contestant on--and finally box #3 is lifted--BOO!!!!---ENJOY THE REACTION!! It's hilarious!!!
Repeat the process with each contestant, and by the end of the game show your audience is rolling with laughter!

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This game works great as an opening crowd breaker for an evenings special program or activity--the reactions are always different and always funny. Let us know how it goes and feel free to pass it along. Have fun!