25 engaging improv games that put the whole team on the same page
There are many efficient strategies to improve workplace collaboration and create a positive corporate culture. Improv, short for "improvisation," entails group work, making stuff up as you go along, and responding impulsively to established situations. This article outlines some improv games that can be utilised to promote teamwork.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Engaging improv games
- 1. Questions only
- 2. Group counting game
- 3. The Ad game
- 4. Sound ball
- 5. Hello Kitty
- 6. One-word method
- 7. Three-headed expert
- 8. Quick-fire questions
- 9. PowerPoint karaoke
- 10. Same circle
- 11. Mirrors
- 12. Red ball
- 13. Hitchhiker
- 14. Yes and Relay
- 15. Story death
- 16. Near and Far
- 17. Hype man
- 18. Emotion shift
- 19. Club gesture
- 20. Actor switch
- 21. Where am I?
- 22. Magic box
- 23. Foreign film dub
- 24. Terrible presents
- 25. Human robots
- What is an improv game?
Playing improv games is a great way to foster teamwork. In addition to stimulating imagination and creative thinking, many improv activities can improve emotional intelligence and facilitate the recognition of nonverbal signs.
Engaging improv games
Playing improv games requires rapid thinking, teamwork, and creativity. There is no script, and your scene or activity partners are your sole line of defence. The general idea is to generate an idea on the fly in response to a suggestion. Here are some fun improv games to engage your team and promote collaboration.
1. Questions only
This game allows people to explore their creativity without exposing them to dramatic elements. It is easy enough to operate in physical and virtual environments, and your team members will constantly be inspired to go further by this game. There will be no other response unless you ask another question.
2. Group counting game
Group counting is famous for its entertaining and addictive nature, emphasising attentive listening. Have the group count from one, with just one person speaking at a time. Only one person can talk at a time, but anyone can pronounce the next number. In case of interruptions, the count is reset to zero, and the group must begin counting again.
3. The Ad game
The Ad Game Improv is a fun and engaging improv exercise in which players create a quick, humorous advertisement for a fictional product or service. This game encourages creativity, quick thinking, and collaboration, making it ideal for team-building and breaking the ice.
4. Sound ball
Sound ball is among the best and most fun games. Players form a circle, catch a fictitious ball, and generate unique sounds. This game enhances the atmosphere and keeps players engaged, especially during meetings or workshops when spirits are low.
5. Hello Kitty
Hello Kitty is a quick game that invites everyone to strive to make each other happy. First, divide the group into kittens and puppies. Kittens must maintain a straight face, whereas puppies must greet each other in a way that makes them smile or laugh. Kittens become puppies when they smile or giggle. Continue until every kitten has chuckled and joined the puppy squad.
6. One-word method
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Arrange the squad in a circle and choose a broad subject to guide the discussion. Ask each member to say the first word of a sentence, adding more until the mini-story is complete. Repeat with a different scenario or theme. This game encourages expressiveness, imagination, and impulsivity.
7. Three-headed expert
In this traditional improv game, three players take on the role of one. One word at a time, the three-headed expert responds to questions from the audience as they are asked. This is a great team-building game because it combines ideas and yields a better solution than a person.
8. Quick-fire questions
Quick-fire questions will help distant coworkers relax and start a conversation. You can inquire about almost anything, including your favourite foods and ideal vacation spots. These are perfect improv games for adults, as the sole requirement is that each person respond to questions.
9. PowerPoint karaoke
PowerPoint Karaoke is a creative improv game where participants create slides on unprepared topics, such as vacations. It involves a volunteer telling a story about a crazy trip, using a slide with the location as a starting point. The volunteers then improvise a story using the slide, continuing until the story ends naturally. After everyone has presented, the game ends.
10. Same circle
The same circle is among the ideal improv games for teens to improve their attention span. Everyone forms a circle, and person A makes a slight motion. The others around the circle repeat the gesture. The exercise's goal is to maintain the same gesture throughout. All participants must focus on the gesture, which has to be done precisely again.
11. Mirrors
Mirrors are great for improv games online. Teams should simply mirror one another on the screen as they face one another as they stand. The leader moves slowly while the others mimic them precisely. A minute or two later, they switch roles. This game fosters trust by encouraging active listening through nonverbal communication.
12. Red ball
Red ball involves passing objects and reacting to each other, allowing individuality to emerge. The leader introduces a fictitious red ball, and participants use imagination and creativity while adhering to game rules.
13. Hitchhiker
A scenario with three actors and three chairs begins with a driver and passenger discussing a hitchhiker. Everyone takes on the hitchhiker's persona, ensuring it's conversational. After the driver leaves, everyone becomes neutral, and a new hitchhiker arrives.
14. Yes and Relay
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Yes, and Relay is an ideal couple game. It presents the idea in a straightforward game where couples collaborate to organise an activity with answers ranging from 'No' to 'Yes'. This improv game is entertaining and educational because it helps you understand how various answers affect a discussion.
15. Story death
In this game, five actors tell a story, with the audience suggesting a topic. The actors must narrate the story naturally, with the audience yelling "DIE". If someone stutters or freezes, the story can only be told by four persons. Choose a different subject and give it a new title. This continues until there are only two actors left in the race.
16. Near and Far
Near and Far is an improv game where participants choose one group member to stay close to and another away from, then follow safety guidelines to find the person they need to be close to and far from. This allows for brainstorming, innovation, and creative interaction within a short timeframe.
17. Hype man
This improv activity utilises roleplay to introduce friends, requiring better understanding and acting on their knowledge. Try it out by asking the team to assign roles to themselves after splitting them up into groups of three:
Player 1 introduces their background, occupation, and interests to the group, while Player 2 summarises them. Player 3, known as the "Hypeman," exaggerates and makes Player 1 sound fantastic. To encourage everyone to be the Hypeman, switch positions, promote clever assertions, and award the group's chosen Hypeman the most success.
18. Emotion shift
Players act out a situation, but suddenly, someone screams an emotion such as excitement or anger, and they must alter their performance to reflect the new mood. This game helps individuals become more emotionally intelligent and adaptive. Emotion shifts are ideal improv games for drama class as they prepare to get into character.
19. Club gesture
Participants share personal fun facts and gestures, and the group imitates each other, repeating until all can recall all the gestures and facts. This is a great team-building game because gaining insight into the individuals you work with enables you to develop a stronger bond and empathise with them.
20. Actor switch
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An audience member provides three actors with a character and a scenario. They create a commotion, and you call out "switch" at one point in the scene. The three players transfer roles. To pick up another character at any time, they must genuinely listen to one another and know who the other characters are.
21. Where am I?
Let everyone think of a broad, recognisable place, such as a supermarket or theme park. Then, without using spoken prompts, each participant takes a turn acting out a scene from the location of their choice. The others must then speculate as to the precise location of their colleague.
22. Magic box
Magic Box is one of the ideal improv games for students. Prepare a box of diverse items and ask participants to choose an object without thought. Share personal stories and relate them to a significant question or workshop theme. They can help individuals feel comfortable sharing or improvising in a group.
23. Foreign film dub
A scene for four people is acted out in gibberish by two players. Their English language "Dubbers" are the second two players. The scene is translated into English. The team using gibberish language should use non-verbal cues to help their translators understand them. Keep in mind that creating a seamless scene is the aim here.
24. Terrible presents
In this game, players must convince each other to accept a garbage present, utilising everyday experiences of giving and receiving gifts. Encourage participants to share their bad gift experiences, fostering entertaining discussions.
25. Human robots
The team is tasked with creating an avatar of a robot, with each member representing a different aspect of the machine. The process involves moving and sounding when a robot enters a room and continuing until a complete machine is formed.
What is an improv game?
Improv games are spontaneous, unscripted activities rooted in acting and comedy. They are designed to warm up participants and build collaborative skills. Players deviate from the plan, using creativity to generate responses, ideas, or answers.
Improv games are all about imagination, teamwork, and fast thinking. They are a fantastic way to test your staff under unconventional circumstances and foster team-building exercises. Many of these improv activities can improve emotional intelligence and facilitate the recognition of nonverbal signs.
Legit.ng recently published an article on the 21 Questions game. This interactive game is tailored to specific demographics and events and designed to strengthen participant bonds and spark passionate conversations.
Interactive activities such as the 21 Questions game are essential for building deep relationships and strengthening social ties between individuals. The simplicity and connection provided by this game are vital for fostering friendship and understanding.
Source: Legit.ng
