Tick Tock BOOM!
Tick Tock BOOM!
A Fun Youth Group Game
Watch the Tutorial Video
Tick Tock BOOM! is an easy-to-play elimination game that requires almost no setup and works for groups of almost any size.
Overview
Ideal # of Participants: Any Number!
Where to Play: Indoor / Outdoor
Age of Participants: Elementary School / Middle School / High School
Approximate Time to Play: 10–30 minutes
Materials Needed: Dodgeball, Cones or Painter’s Tape (optional)
How to Play Tick Tock BOOM!
Start by having everyone form a large circle, with each person standing approximately five feet from their neighbors.
To help players avoid accidentally drifting away from their starting positions, it’s recommended to place a small piece of painter’s tape or a cone by each person’s feet.
Choose one person to stand in the center of the circle. This player is called the Detonator.
Give a throwable ball, such as a dodgeball, to someone standing in the circle and instruct them to begin passing it around the circle clockwise.
As soon as the ball starts moving, the Detonator covers their eyes and begins saying:
“Tick… Tock… Tick… Tock…”
Everyone will frantically try to pass the ball to the person beside them because at some point, the Detonator is going to suddenly shout:
“BOOM!”
What Happens When the Bomb Explodes?
If you’re holding the ball when the Detonator says “BOOM!”, you’re eliminated.
Sit down exactly where you are and stay there for the remainder of the round.
If the ball is midair when the Detonator says “BOOM,” whoever was closest to the ball is eliminated instead.
If someone fumbles a pass, they’re responsible for retrieving the ball and getting the game moving again. The leader can step in to referee whenever necessary.
The Circle Gets Harder Every Round
Here’s the trick that makes Tick Tock BOOM! so much fun:
Players don’t move when someone is eliminated.
Everyone stays in the exact same spot where they started.
That means that as players drop out, the gaps between the remaining players become bigger and bigger.
The ball has to travel farther between each remaining player, making every pass increasingly difficult.
As the circle gets smaller and the spaces get bigger, the suspense continues to build.
Make the Countdown Unpredictable
The Detonator can have a lot of fun with the countdown.
You might:
- Speed up your “Tick… Tock…” and get louder.
- Slow down after making everyone think the explosion is coming.
- Keep a calm, steady rhythm for a long time.
- Suddenly shout “BOOM!” when everyone has settled into a comfortable rhythm.
The goal is to keep players guessing about when the explosion is coming.
How to Win Tick Tock BOOM!
Continue playing until only one player remains un-exploded.
That player is the winner!
Because the game is quick, you’ll probably want to play more than one round.
This also gives some of your students an opportunity to lead by taking on the role of the Detonator.
Tips for Playing Tick Tock BOOM!
- Have everyone mark their starting position before the game begins.
- Remind eliminated players to stay exactly where they were eliminated.
- The Detonator should keep their eyes closed throughout the countdown.
- Encourage the Detonator to vary the speed and volume of their countdown.
- Have a leader referee disputed situations involving a ball that’s in midair.
- Consider using a softer ball if you’re playing with younger students.
- Play multiple rounds so different students can take turns being the Detonator.
Lesson Handout
Want to make this easy to share with your volunteers or students? Download the “Tick Tock BOOM!” 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.
