Why the Best Youth Events Start Outside
You can feel it the second they show up.
A few kids hang back. Some are glued to their phones. Others fake confidence, scanning the room to see who’s “cool” enough to talk to.
It’s not awkward on purpose—it’s just what happens when people gather and don’t know what to do yet.
Now picture this: instead of walking into a quiet room with chairs in a circle, they step onto a field or blacktop.
Someone’s laughing. There’s a GaGa Ball game mid-round. A line is forming for 9 Square. A leader yells, “You in?” and tosses a YOU.FO disc their way.
Suddenly, no one’s on the sidelines.
Outside Changes the Energy—Immediately
The moment you step outside, the tone shifts.
There’s more space to move. Fewer walls—literally and socially.
Kids who feel awkward indoors start to loosen up.
The ones who struggle to sit still? This is their element.
Even shy students are more likely to jump in when there’s movement, not pressure.
Outside, you don’t have to perform. You just get to play.
Movement First = Engagement Later
A lot of youth leaders structure events like this:
- Welcome
- Talk
- Worship
- Then a game if there’s time
But what happens when you flip it?
What if your first impression is fun, not formality?
What if you start with a 15-minute game of 9 Square, a round of GaGa Ball, or even a silly outdoor relay that gets hearts racing?
Movement builds momentum.
It lowers the social wall, which makes the spiritual conversations that come later actually land.
People open up when they’ve first had a chance to laugh, sweat, and succeed together.
You Don’t Need a Field—You Just Need a Plan
This doesn’t have to be a full-on field day.
A corner of the parking lot. A patch of grass. Even a cleared space in the church lot can work.
What you do need:
- A go-to setup (Bucket Golf, 9 Square, or YOU.FO work perfectly)
- Leaders ready to model the energy you want to see
- A few extra balls, cones, or music to set the tone
Once you’ve got the gear and structure, it becomes second nature to start outside every time.
Outside Is a Setup for What’s Next
Starting your event outdoors isn’t about hype for hype’s sake.
It’s about opening hearts, not just games.
When students walk in already feeling connected, included, and awake—they actually listen when the message starts.
They’re more willing to share in small groups.
They’ll remember the night because they weren’t just sitting—they were in it.
Want to Make It Easy?
We’ve seen it over and over: the fastest way to boost engagement at youth events is to start with active, outdoor play. That’s why we carry youth-group-tested games like:
They’re easy to learn, fun to lead, and they flip the mood from awkward to awesome in minutes.
So next time you're planning your schedule, try this:
Start outside. Start with movement. Start with fun.
You’ll be surprised what follows.