Dolphin Trainers
Dolphin Trainers
A Fun Youth Group Game
Watch the Tutorial Video
This funny youth group game is guaranteed to bring laughter, teamwork, and a little chaos! Players take on the roles of dolphins and trainers, and the only way to communicate is through a spray bottle.
Overview
Ideal # of Participants: Ideally 6-16, can do 4-25
Where to Play: Indoors / Outdoors
Age of Participants: Elementary School / Middle School / High School
Approximate Time to Play: 20 to 30 Minutes
Materials Needed: At least one spray bottle per team
How to Play Dolphin Trainers
Step 1: Set Up
Divide the players into teams of 2–5 people and give one spray bottle to each team. Have each team choose one person to be the dolphin for the round, while the others become dolphin trainers.
Step 2: Choose a Trick
Ask all the dolphins to leave the room while the trainers and leader decide what “trick” each dolphin will need to perform.
Examples include:
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Laying down on their stomach
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Jumping in the air
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Clapping their hands
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Raising both hands in the air
Whichever dolphin completes their team’s trick first earns their team one point.
Step 3: Train the Dolphins
Once the dolphins return, they must figure out what action they’re supposed to perform — but to communicate, their trainers can only use negative reinforcement: spraying water!
Whenever a dolphin moves in the wrong direction or performs an incorrect motion, the trainers spray them. If they’re getting closer to the correct move, trainers don’t spray. It’s just like a game of hot and cold, except you’re only communicating “colder”!
Example:
If the trick is “jump up and down” and the dolphin raises their hands, they get sprayed. But if they crouch down to jump, they’re getting warmer (and drier).
Make sure each team has at least one spray bottle — more bottles make the game even better!
Step 4: Add Challenge
Start with easy tasks (like “touch your nose” or “put a hand on your head”), then increase the difficulty as the group gets the hang of it.
Tips
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Once players understand the game, assign harder tricks such as:
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Do a push-up
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Do a jumping jack
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Spin in a circle
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Lesson Handout
Want to make this easy to share with your volunteers or students? Download the “Dolphin Trainers” Lesson Handout (PDF) below!
Where Games Meet God's Word...
Most leaders just look for games to play, but miss their true value. When used well, games help teach your lesson, because experiential learning is by far the most effective way to teach a lesson that sticks.
If you want to see this principle in action, check out Uplift, our FREE youth group lesson that is built for engagement. It contains a fun game, but then your students’ experience from the game ties into the Christ-centered message you’ll teach.
