What You Need

• No special equipment
• A list of silly or strange situations (see below)
• Open space for a group to stand in a circle

Setup Instructions

1. Ask all players to stand in a big circle.
2. Make sure there is space between each person.
3. Explain the goal: to react quickly with either “Panic!” or “Peace.”
4. Tell everyone they must act out their choice right away.

How to Play

1. The leader starts the game by giving a player a random situation.
2. That player must instantly respond by yelling either “Panic!” or “Peace.”
3. If they say “Panic,” they act out panic in a fun, silly way.
4. If they say “Peace,” they stay calm and act like nothing is wrong.
5. Go around the circle quickly, giving each player a turn.
6. After everyone has had one turn, go around again.
7. For the second round, let the youth give each other situations.
8. Keep the pace fast to keep the energy up.

Notes and Variations

• Remind youth to stay safe and not bump into others.
• Encourage big, funny actions but no rough play.
• You can play seated if space is limited.
• Try a round where everyone must choose “Peace” no matter what.
• Try a round where everyone must choose “Panic.”

Situation Ideas (Use These or Make Up Your Own)

• You are being chased by a duck.
• You just spilled spaghetti on your shirt.
• You are lying on a beach with the sun shining.
• Your shoes are filled with jelly.
• A bee flew into your ear.
• A butterfly just landed on your nose.
• Your pet llama escaped.
• Your socks are on fire.
• You are sipping hot cocoa on a snowy day.
• You just sat on a cupcake.
• A dinosaur is behind you.
• You are watching clouds float by.
• You turned into a sandwich.
• Your pants fell down in public.
• You are floating in a quiet pool.
• You are late for your own wedding.
• A bird just pooped on your head.
• A kitten just fell asleep in your lap.
• You swallowed a kazoo.
• Your ice cream just melted.
• You are walking through a flower garden.
• There’s a spider in your hair.
• You forgot how to walk.
• A baby just smiled at you.
• You are stuck in a toilet.
• Your voice now sounds like a robot.
• You hear soft church bells in the distance.
• Your backpack is alive.
• You are invisible but no one believes you.
• You are petting a very fluffy dog.

See https://young-catholics.com/82707/panic-or-peace-game/ for more information