Designing Your Church’s Game Room: 11 Tips

Securing funding for a church game room is a great way to provide a space for your youth and other groups to enjoy friendly competition. Now, you just have to design it. Here are 11 tips for creating your new game room.

1. Color 

The color of your game room can set its atmosphere. Painting it a stark neutral will make it seem larger, but it can come across as uninviting. On the other hand, bright colors might seem too childish for today’s youth.

A good compromise is to mix warm relaxing neutrals with pops of color. Don’t fear an accent wall, though, as it can fit with the spirit of the games.

2. Lighting 

You want your game room to have plenty of light for players to see what they’re doing, but some prefer a darker atmosphere. To accommodate different preferences, you can install overhead lights on a dimmer, allowing groups to set them as they choose. Cooler lights can improve their focus and remove the tint that warmer lights can cause on board games, while warmer bulbs have a calming effect on players.

3. Flooring 

The floor you choose for your game room can determine its overall appearance and ability to handle the movement, loudness and accidents of its visitors. Tile is one of the most durable flooring options but can get loud with foot traffic. 

If you have heavy equipment or will have younger kids around there, it still might be a preference for you. Regular maintenance makes carpeting a reliable choice that dampens sound and holds up well.

4. Seating 

A game room needs comfortable seating and there are plenty of ways to get creative when planning yours. A comfy couch and lounge chairs are a must and are a great excuse to add some pops of color and unique textures to the space. Bean bags and ottomans are great for sneaking in some extra options.

5. Card Table

Every game room needs a table to play cards and board games. Choose a size that accommodates your church’s larger groups and consider a table with leaves to make it easier for smaller groups to reach the center of it. Provide a shelf with games nearby and you’re good to go!

6. Television

A television is a must if you plan to allow video gaming in the room. It also works well for background noise. A good game room can be a hangout for your teens and a television with appropriate streaming options can encourage them to stay in a safe place with their friends.

7. Game Console

Some churches will let kids bring in their systems to hook up to their televisions, while others prefer to have them use already-vetted items. Regardless, providing at least one gaming system with a compatible screen for children to use is a good idea.

Choose a popular system to invest in, like a Nintendo Switch, Playstation or XBOX, to ensure its use — Wiis are unfortunately a thing of the past. Enlist your teens to choose some fun yet age-appropriate games for the church to provide in the game room. If you decide to offer video games, ensure proper security measures to avoid theft.

8. Multi-Function Pool Table

A pool table is a must for almost every game room, but it can seem like a waste of money if your kids don’t know how to play billiards. You can either offer lessons or choose a pool table that can transform into other well-known games. Several manufacturers create these tables with air hockey or ping pong options, allowing teens to flip the table when they want a new experience.

9. Whiteboard or Chalkboard

Some games — like Pictionary or Hangman — require players to see what a person is writing or drawing. Providing a chalk or whiteboard can save paper and give them a larger canvas to work with. These items are relatively inexpensive and you might even find one for free in your church or community. You’ll also need to supply writing utensils and erasers for whichever you choose to add.

10. Paper and Pens

While boards are better for some games, it’s still good to have paper and pens around the room. Board games like Yahtzee and Scattergories involve paper playing cards. If a group runs out, they can use the paper and pens as a temporary solution, helping the game last longer before you have to order more cards.

11. Bibles

While it’s argued that every significant church room should contain a Bible or two, there are actually many games youth groups and other organizations can play with them. From Bible charades to fun learning activities like sword drills, Bible games are a great way to introduce reluctant teenagers to Jesus without making them feel like they’re in a church service.

Setting Up Your Game Room

Don’t be afraid to include your youth throughout the process to make the best game room for them. With these tips, you can start your journey to another highlight of your church.