Improv Games for Every Human
Improvisation games are an incredible tool for building synergy, creative collaboration, and confidence among any group of humans (officemates, teams, classrooms, strangers, etc.) Thanks to improv's intuitive and simple format, just about anyone can learn how to play in a few minutes flat. There are only three rules you need to know to get started.
The Three Golden Rules
That's it! Now check out the tutorials below to find a game for your next group gathering.
The Three Golden Rules
- Yes, and…
Support each other, build on each other’s ideas, and avoid denying another person. No matter what anyone says or does, accept it. Say "Yes!" - Focus on the mission.
Each game has a goal or mission--stay in the present moment to work with the people around you to achieve it. - Don’t think too much.
Improv games are designed to be fast-paced and imperfect, so say the first thing that comes to your mind and don’t think too much.
That's it! Now check out the tutorials below to find a game for your next group gathering.
Improv Video Tutorials
1. Cross the Circle
Goal: This game is a fast-paced, low stakes way for everyone to learn each other’s names.
Benefits: Cut tension, build synergy, and get everyone in the group warmed up and ready to open up and collaborate
When to Play: Immediately after you give the introduction and start the focus group
Time needed: 5-7 minutes
Instructions: Find a space big enough for everyone to stand in a circle. You may need to step into a hallway or re-arrange furniture. Once in a circle, each person will go around and say their name while standing still. Have participants imagine their feet are stuck in quicksand, and they can only move when they say someone's name. The game starts with one person (A) calling someone else’s name (B). Once (A) calls a name, her feet are released from the quicksand and she starts walking towards the person she called (B). But before (A) gets to (B), (B) needs to call a different name. He cannot move until he calls a name. The goal is to think quick so that each person can move before the person walking towards them reaches them.
Benefits: Cut tension, build synergy, and get everyone in the group warmed up and ready to open up and collaborate
When to Play: Immediately after you give the introduction and start the focus group
Time needed: 5-7 minutes
Instructions: Find a space big enough for everyone to stand in a circle. You may need to step into a hallway or re-arrange furniture. Once in a circle, each person will go around and say their name while standing still. Have participants imagine their feet are stuck in quicksand, and they can only move when they say someone's name. The game starts with one person (A) calling someone else’s name (B). Once (A) calls a name, her feet are released from the quicksand and she starts walking towards the person she called (B). But before (A) gets to (B), (B) needs to call a different name. He cannot move until he calls a name. The goal is to think quick so that each person can move before the person walking towards them reaches them.
2. Who Started the Movement?
Goal: Mirror each other’s movements to laugh and connect with the other participants
Benefits: Build synergy, get participants moving, laughing, and alert
When to Play: Use this game to energize a group mid-focus group
Time needed: 5-7 minutes
Instructions: Have all participants stand in a large circle. Ask for a volunteer to stand in the center of the circle and close their eyes. With a silent gesture, select a leader from around the circle. This person is going to start doing a movement, i.e. tapping her feet. Once she starts, everyone mirrors the movement. Instruct the person in the center to open their eyes and try to guess who’s starting the movement. The leader can continue changing her movement while the person in the center turns around to guess who’s starting it. The group will continue mirroring the leader.
Benefits: Build synergy, get participants moving, laughing, and alert
When to Play: Use this game to energize a group mid-focus group
Time needed: 5-7 minutes
Instructions: Have all participants stand in a large circle. Ask for a volunteer to stand in the center of the circle and close their eyes. With a silent gesture, select a leader from around the circle. This person is going to start doing a movement, i.e. tapping her feet. Once she starts, everyone mirrors the movement. Instruct the person in the center to open their eyes and try to guess who’s starting the movement. The leader can continue changing her movement while the person in the center turns around to guess who’s starting it. The group will continue mirroring the leader.
3. Shout the Wrong Name
Goal: Get moving, think fast and speak freely
Benefits: Break away from set patterns of thinking
When to Play: Before a creative brainstorm session; in the middle of a focus group if the energy starts to fade
Time Needed: 3 minutes
Instructions: Have participants stand up and walk around the room. For the first round, instruct everyone to point to a random object in the room and shout the name of the object. For example, “Lamp! Chair! Light! Paper! Desk!” After everyone gets the hang of it, change up the rules. Now participants will point to an object and say the wrong name. They can call it anything except the object’s real name. It might sound like this: “Caterpillar! Grandpa! Milkshake! Magazine!” This turns out to be a funny, low-stakes game to shake things up.
Benefits: Break away from set patterns of thinking
When to Play: Before a creative brainstorm session; in the middle of a focus group if the energy starts to fade
Time Needed: 3 minutes
Instructions: Have participants stand up and walk around the room. For the first round, instruct everyone to point to a random object in the room and shout the name of the object. For example, “Lamp! Chair! Light! Paper! Desk!” After everyone gets the hang of it, change up the rules. Now participants will point to an object and say the wrong name. They can call it anything except the object’s real name. It might sound like this: “Caterpillar! Grandpa! Milkshake! Magazine!” This turns out to be a funny, low-stakes game to shake things up.