This document describes an icebreaker game called "Forward and Backward" for a Valentine's Day party for youth. Participants sit in a circle of chairs facing inward. One person calls out statements related to Valentine's Day or dating, and participants move forward or backward the specified number of chairs depending on whether the statement applies to them. The first person to move completely around the circle wins. The game is meant to get participants interacting and learning about each other in a fun way for a Valentine's Day celebration.

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Youth
Icebreakers Valentine’s Day
Forward and
Backward
In this Icebreaker game
for your Valentine’s Day
Party, youth will move
forward or backwards
when they meet the
Valentine’s day criteria
that is called out.
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Resources
• List of actions related
to valentine’s Day or
Dating
• Chairs in a circle, one
chair per person.
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Preparation
1. Arrange the chairs in a
circle, facing inward to
the center of the
circle.
2. Prepare the list of
items
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What to do
1.
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Sit everyone in a chair and then
read the instructions for
participants to follow.
Instructions should be related to
Valentine’s Day or dating.
If someone is in the chair you
move to, just sit on his or her lap.
You can stack people three or
four high.
The first youth to make it all the
way around the circle wins. Have
youth to take note of the chair
they start in before you begin
calling out situations.
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Sample Instructions
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“If you are wearing something
red, move forward one chair”
“If you are wearing black, move
back three chairs”
“If you have a cute stuffed animal
at home, move forward one
chair.”
“If you are not dating anyone right
now, move back one chair.”
“If you like chocolates, move
forward one chair.”
“If your birthday is in the month
of February, move forward one
chair.”
“If you didn’t buy your sweetheart
something for valentine’s Day,
move back Two chairs.”
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“If you have said “I love you” to
someone today, move forward two
chairs.”
“If your sweetheart has a habit
that irritates you, move back one
chair.”
“If you have ever sang a serenade
to your sweetheart, move forward
1 chair.”
“If you have ever gone out on a
date with a best friend’s
boyfriend/ girlfriend move back 2
chairs.”
“If you have ever made your own
home-made Valentine’s Day card
move forward one chair.”
“If you kissed on a first date, move
back one chair.”
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“If you have ever bought or
received a red rose on Valentine’s
“Day, move forward one chair.”
“If you have never enjoyed a
candlelight dinner on Valentine’s
Day please move one chair
backward.”
“If you have ever shared a drink
using two straws in the same
glass move forward one chair.”
“If you have ever forgotten to
celebrate Valentine’s Day move
back one chair.”
“If you have a special love song
that you share as a couple move
forward 1 chair.”
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“If you have ever been
embarrassed by your date on
Valentine’s day, move backward
one chair.”
“If you have ever received roses
or a gift from a secret admirer
move forward one chair.”
“If your car broke down on a
date, move back 1 chair.”
“If you have ever called your
sweetheart just to hear his/her
voice move forward two chairs.”
“If you have ever called your
boyfriend or girlfriend by the
wrong name move backward 2
chairs.”
“If You have ever sent flowers to
someone anonymously move
forward 1 chair.”
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“If you have ever gone to
McDonald’s on a date move
backward one chair.”
“If you have ever left your
sweetheart a message of love on
an answering machine move
forward one chair.”
“If you have ever sent a
Valentine without signing it with
your name move backward one
chair.”
“If you have ever Sent you
sweetheart a mushy SMS
message move forward one
chair.”
“If you have ever bought your
sweetheart an item of clothing
that was too small or too large
move back one chair.”
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“If you initiated the very first kiss
with your sweetheart move
forward one chair.”
“If you blush when kissed move
backward one chair.”
“If you have never been on a
romantic date then move
forward two chairs.”
“If you have held hands with your
sweetheart in a public place
move back one chair.”
“If you like to do things for
someone to show you love them
move forward one chair.”
“If you have ever received a call
from an ex boyfriend / girlfriend
while out on a date with your
new sweetheart move back two
chairs.”
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“If you have ever been
chaperoned on a date before
move forward one chair.”
“If you have ever dated someone
on the rebound move back one
chair.”
“If you tend to be the decision
maker in the relationship move
forward one chair.”
“If you have ever refused to
answer the phone after an
argument with your
sweetheart, move back one chair.”
“If you think having a steady is
overrated, move forward one
chair.”
“If you have ever walked out on a
date move back one chair.”
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“If you have ever been offended
by the body odor of your
sweetheart, move forward one
chair.”
“If you have ever gone to a party
with a date, but left with
someone else move back one
chair.”
“If you like to give gifts to show
someone you love them move
forward one chair.”
“If you have ever made an
embarrassing body noise while on
a date, move back one chair.”
“If you have ever been recognized
by a friend while on a date, move
forward one chair.”
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“If you have not brushed your teeth
today, move back one chair.”
“If you wore something special on
Valentine’s day move forward one
chair.”
“If you have ever eaten at a lousy
restaurant on Valentine’s day move
back one chair.”
“If a friend introduced you or set
you up with your sweetheart, move
forward one chair.”
“If you tend to be passive in
relationships move back one chair.”
“If you are still friends with
someone you used to date move
forward two chairs.”
“If you have a difficult time
expressing love move back one
chair.
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Take It to the Next Level
• Do you ever feel that some of
your dating relationships are like
this game – sometimes you
move forward and sometimes
you find yourself moving
backwards?
• As you think back over the past
year, do you think you have
moved forward in your
relationships or backwards?
• How do you measure progress in
your relationships?
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Do you ever feel you are going in
circles in your relationships?
Why?
What are some things that move
relationships forward?
What are some of the things that
create setbacks in relationships?
What are some Biblical guidelines
for relationship?
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Action Point
Take a few moments to
commit your self to a couple
plans of action (things to
avoid or things to do) in order
to improve the significant
relationships in your life!
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Holiday Collection
Games and Activities in Celebration
of common Holidays.
Creative Holiday Ideas has over 300 pages of
ideas to help you plan your next New Year’s
Day, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s
Day, Halloween or Fall Festival, and
Thanksgiving event. If you’ve ever wondered
what you’re going to do for all these holidays
and how you’re going to do it, this resource is
for you.
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