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#7 Easy

Story Building

Someone starts with 'The marketing team found a hidden door.' By sentence ten, a dragon is filing taxes. Each person adds one sentence. The story goes wherever the group takes it.

work team student youth fun easy quick small

Group Size:

5-20 people

Duration:

10-20 minutes

Difficulty:

Easy

How to Play:

Story Building - How to Play
  1. 1

    Sit in a circle where everyone can hear each other clearly

  2. 2

    First person starts with 'Once upon a time...' and adds one sentence

  3. 3

    Next person continues with 'And then...' or 'But suddenly...' plus one sentence

  4. 4

    Keep going around, each person adding exactly one sentence

  5. 5

    After 2-3 rounds, signal the last person to create an ending

  6. 6

    Optional: Record the story and share the absurd result afterward

Someone starts with “The marketing team discovered a hidden door.” By sentence five, there’s a dragon. By sentence ten, the dragon is filing taxes. That’s Story Building—a game where control is an illusion and the only rule is “yes, and.” The quiet developer adds a plot twist. The project manager introduces a romantic subplot. The intern ends it all with a meteor. What starts as a simple ice breaker becomes a shared inside joke the team references for months.

Best For:

The perfect ice breaker game for creative teams, brainstorming sessions, and warm-up activities before ideation workshops.

Pro Tips

  • Use 'Yes, and...' improv rules—build on what came before, never negate

  • When energy dips, introduce a twist: 'suddenly a stranger appeared' or 'but there was a problem'

  • Set no expectations for quality—the wilder, the better

  • For shy groups, allow passing once (but only once)

FAQ

What if the Story Building game goes in a weird direction?
That's the point. The best stories end up in places no one expected. A story about a team meeting might end with time travel. Embrace the chaos.
How do I start a Story Building session?
Give a simple opening: 'Once upon a time, in this very office...' or 'On the strangest Monday morning...' Specific beats vague.
What if someone freezes and can't think of anything?
Let neighbors help. 'Meanwhile...' or 'Little did they know...' are always safe additions. No one should feel stuck.
Does Story Building work online?
Yes, go in gallery view order. Works beautifully as an ice breaker game on Zoom. Consider using chat to record the story in real-time.
How long should Story Building run?
2-3 rounds around the circle (10-15 minutes). Shorter keeps energy high. Signal the ending when you sense a natural climax approaching.

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