Paper Toss Game (Holy Spirit Game)

Games are a great way to help young people learn and grow in their faith. A fun activity can open the door to a deeper lesson. When kids are moving, laughing, and working together, they are more likely to remember the message. This paper toss game is simple and active. It gives youth a way to think about the Holy Spirit in a hands-on way.

This game also helps teach an important truth. We can’t see the Holy Spirit, but we can see the effects. Just like we can’t see the wind from a fan, we can see what it does. We feel it. We hear it. And we see how it moves things. The same is true of the Spirit. This game gives youth a picture of that mystery.

Many youth struggle to understand how the Holy Spirit works. This activity gives them something real they can connect to. They experience the challenge of throwing against the wind. They notice how the wind changes their actions. These moments become a way to understand the Spirit’s work in daily life.

Best of all, the game builds community. Youth will cheer each other on and laugh together. A shared activity like this brings joy. After the fun, you can gather them in a quiet moment. That is the perfect time to read scripture and ask questions. This helps them connect what they felt in the game with what they believe in their hearts.

This game connects well with the story of Pentecost. In Acts 2, the Holy Spirit came like a strong wind. It filled the room and changed the lives of the apostles. They were no longer afraid. They went out and shared the message of Jesus with boldness. The wind from the fan in the game reminds us of that rushing wind. It helps youth imagine what it might have felt like on that day.

It also brings to mind Jesus’ words to Nicodemus in John 3. He said the Spirit is like the wind. You don’t see where it comes from or where it goes. But you know it is there because of what it does. The wind in the game makes it hard to aim. It changes the paper’s path. That’s just like the Spirit in our lives. The Spirit moves us in ways we might not expect.

This activity is a good fit for Catholic youth ministry because it teaches in a fun way. It helps young people experience something that shows a deeper truth. It also gives a clear image they can remember later. When they hear about the Holy Spirit at Mass or in a lesson, they will think back to this game. That helps the message stay with them.

Materials

• Paper
• Waste basket
• Fan

Instructions

1. Give each person three pieces of paper.
2. Direct the fan so it is blowing between the participants and the wastebasket. You will want it turned to high so it is blowing pretty hard.
3. Let each participant crumple their paper and throw it into the basket.
4. The ones who get the most in should have a shoot off until there is a winner.
5. Move the players farther away from the basket if it is too easy.
6. If it is too hard, then turn the fan down

Read John 3:8

“The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Reflection questions

1. Could you see the wind from the fan?
2. How did you know the fan was making wind?
3. What were some of the effects of the wind?
4. On a windy day, do you see the wind or do you just see what the force of the wind is doing?
5. What are some ways you see the effects of the Holy Spirit?

Who Is the Holy Spirit?

The Paper Toss Holy Spirit game is a fun way to get youth thinking about the work of the Holy Spirit. If you want to take the lesson deeper, try pairing the game with this resource on the Holy Spirit. It explains who the Holy Spirit is and how He works in the world and in our lives. After the game, this reflection helps young people better understand the message behind the activity.

This Holy Spirit background supports the same key ideas as the Paper Toss Holy Spirit game, like how we can’t see the Spirit but we know He is present. Use the discussion questions to keep the conversation going after the fun is over. These two tools work well together to help youth learn about God’s presence, His power, and how He helps us grow in faith.

Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit Worksheet (Cryptogram)

The Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit worksheet is a great follow-up activity to the Paper Toss Holy Spirit game. After youth play the game and talk about how the Holy Spirit moves in our lives, they can use this worksheet to learn more about the Spirit’s gifts and fruits. The puzzles make learning fun while helping youth reflect on how these blessings guide their choices and actions.

This worksheet also fits well in a longer lesson about the Holy Spirit. You can start with the Paper Toss Holy Spirit game to grab their attention, then use the worksheet to go deeper. It works in small groups, religious education classes, or youth nights. It also encourages quiet reflection after a high-energy game. Together, these two activities help youth see how the Spirit moves, teaches, and helps them live with faith and love.

Litany of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit

The Litany of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit is a great prayer to use after the Paper Toss Holy Spirit game. The game helps youth think about how the Spirit moves in unseen ways. This litany gives them words to ask the Holy Spirit for help in their daily lives. It is a simple group prayer with clear responses, so it works well in youth settings.

After playing the Paper Toss Holy Spirit game, gather the group for quiet reflection and prayer. Use the litany to help them focus on the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. The rhythm of the prayer keeps everyone engaged. It also helps youth connect what they just experienced in the game with a real prayer for guidance. This makes a strong link between activity and faith. The litany works well in youth group nights, retreats, and confirmation prep.

I Am With You – A Lesson Plan on the Holy Spirit

The “I Am With You” lesson plan is another great way to follow up the Paper Toss Holy Spirit game. After youth have fun learning how the Holy Spirit moves like the wind, this lesson helps them reflect more deeply. It focuses on Jesus’ promise that the Holy Spirit is always with us. This helps youth connect what they felt during the game to what they believe in their hearts.

Use the Paper Toss Holy Spirit game as a way to introduce the idea of the Spirit’s unseen presence. Then move into the “I Am With You” lesson for discussion, scripture, and prayer. This lesson works well for middle school and high school groups. It encourages reflection, small group sharing, and personal prayer. Together, these two activities help youth understand that the Holy Spirit is both powerful and personal—moving around us and living within us.

The Holy Spirit Is Like the Wind (Kite Activity)

The Holy Spirit Is Like the Wind kite activity goes well with the Paper Toss Holy Spirit game. Both activities help youth understand that we cannot see the Holy Spirit, but we can feel the effects. The kite activity gives a bigger outdoor example of how the wind moves and pulls. It helps young people see how the Spirit might guide their lives in different ways.

After doing the Paper Toss Holy Spirit game, try this kite activity for more reflection and fun. It works well for younger children or mixed-age groups. The wind becomes a simple and clear way to talk about faith. You can use both activities in one lesson or on separate days. Each one gives a different view of how the Holy Spirit works. Together, they help youth explore this mystery in a hands-on way.

What age group is the Paper Toss Holy Spirit game good for?

This game works well for grade school through high school. Younger kids might need help aiming or understanding the lesson. Older youth can dig deeper into the meaning.

Do I need a strong fan for the Paper Toss Holy Spirit game?

A strong fan works best. It should blow hard enough to move the paper in the air. If the fan is too weak, the game will not work as well.

Can I play the Paper Toss Holy Spirit game outdoors?

You can try it outside, but only if it is not too windy. A steady breeze can work like a fan. Just be sure the paper does not blow too far away.

How does the Paper Toss Holy Spirit game teach about faith?

The wind from the fan helps youth think about how the Holy Spirit moves. They can’t see the Spirit, but they can feel the effects, just like the wind.

This simple paper toss game brings a fun moment to your youth group. It gets kids up and moving. It also helps them think about the Holy Spirit in a real way. A blast of wind from a fan makes the game tricky, but also helps make the message stick.

Many youth don’t know how the Holy Spirit works. They might hear about the Spirit at Mass or in class, but not really understand. This game helps them connect the idea of wind and the unseen power of the Holy Spirit. They can feel it. They see it move things. They start to see how the Spirit moves in their own lives too.

This activity is easy to set up, but the message can stay with them for a long time. When they face challenges or big decisions, they may remember the paper toss and think about how the Holy Spirit is guiding them.

It also works well with Bible stories like Pentecost and the story of Nicodemus. It gives a fun and creative way to talk about deep truths. And it’s a great tool to use in VBS or youth group sessions focused on the Holy Spirit, confirmation prep, or growing in faith.

Give the Paper Toss Holy Spirit game a try at your next youth gathering. It doesn’t take much to set up. Just grab some paper, a fan, and a wastebasket. Then get ready to laugh, learn, and reflect together.

If you try this game, tell us how it went. Did you change it in any way? Did your group come up with something new? Share your ideas and notes in the comment section. Other leaders will enjoy hearing what worked for you!