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All team quizzes & games

Quick games

One-word story

The group builds a story one word at a time, with each person adding a word - guaranteed to surprise and amuse.

Players: 5-20
Duration: 10-15 minutes
Energy level: Medium
Works online: Yes

How to play - step by step

1
Stand or sit in a circle.
2
The first person says a word to start the story, such as “Once”.
3
The next person adds one word; it should make sense with what came before.
4
A scribe writes the story as it grows.
5
Continue around the circle until the story ends naturally.
6
Read the whole story aloud at the end and vote on the best twist.

Benefits

Boosts energy and focus in just five to ten minutes.
Works as a meeting opener or a break between sessions.
Needs no equipment and suits online calls.
Builds a habit of fun at work without a big event.

What you need

None.
Optional: someone to write the story down.

Rules

One word per turn - no sentences.
Stay respectful and work-appropriate.
If a turn takes too long, the next person goes.

Scoring and winning

No score - the fun is the story.

Variations

Sentence version: each person adds one sentence.
Theme version: tell the story of the company, or of the next launch.
Mix teams to build competing stories and vote for the best.

Playing it online

Take turns in the order of the participant list.
Type the story in a shared document as it grows.

Tips for the host

Start with a simple prompt: “The new manager walked in and…”.
Keep the pace brisk.

Mistakes to avoid

Rushing the quieter people.
Allowing jokes that target people.

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