If you read our blogs, you know by now that improv isn’t just for the stage. It can be a fun and creative activity you can enjoy anywhere, even in your home. Whether you are with friends, family, or anywhere a group of people meet, here are a few easy and entertaining improv games to try at home.
“Yes, And…”
One of the foundational games in improv, "Yes, And..." helps build the flow of conversation and creativity. One person starts by making a statement, and the next person must respond with “Yes, and…” before adding more details to the story. This game encourages agreement, forward momentum, and creativity. It can be played with two people or more and can quickly lead to hilarious and unexpected outcomes.
Example:
Person 1: "I just discovered a secret door in my house."
Person 2: "Yes, and behind it is a room full of dancing penguins."
And then it continues until you reach an end to the story.
Alphabet Game
In this game, two or more people have a conversation, but each new sentence must start with the next letter of the alphabet. For example, if the first person starts with “A,” the second person’s response must begin with “B,” and so on. It’s a great way to test your quick thinking while maintaining the flow of a conversation. Try to get all the way around the alphabet. You also do not need to start with “A”. Start with any letter you like.
Example:
Person 1: "Apples are my favorite fruit."
Person 2: "But oranges are more refreshing."
Person 1: "Can't deny that, but apples keep the doctor away."
Fortunately, Unfortunately
This game creates a fun and funny back-and-forth narrative. One person begins by stating something positive about a situation, and the next person follows with a downside using the phrase “Unfortunately.” Keep alternating between positive and negative statements to see how wild the story gets.
Example:
Person 1: "Fortunately, I found $100 on the sidewalk."
Person 2: "Unfortunately, it was stolen by a squirrel."
Person 1: Fortunately, the squirrel hit a wall and dropped it.
Person 2: Unfortunately, the wind blew it down the street.
See how long you can keep the story going.
One-Word Story
In this collaborative game, players take turns saying just one word at a time to create a story together. It’s a great way to practice active listening and keep the story coherent while allowing creativity to flourish.
Example:
Player 1: "Once..."
Player 2: "upon..."
Player 3: "a..."
Player 4: "time..."
You can begin your story with any word you want and go from there.
Sound Ball
This game is great for groups. One person starts by mimicking a sound and throwing it to another player, who then catches it, repeats the sounds, and transforms it into something else before passing it on. It helps players get out of their heads, act fast, and build on each other’s energy. The sillier the sounds, the better!
Example:
Player 1: Bing-a-ding
Player 2: Bing-a-ding, and then throwing it to the next person, HeHaw Howie.
It then continues. It seems examples do not work well for every game. You are just making up sounds so go with it.
What Are You Doing?
One player starts miming an action (e.g., brushing their teeth). The next person asks, "What are you doing?" The player responds with something unrelated to their action (e.g., “I’m riding a horse”), and the next player must then mime the new action. Another person then asks, “What are you doing?” The response is a new action unrelated to riding a horse. This game keeps everyone on their toes and sparks tons of laughter as it grows more absurd.
Props Game
Grab a random household object and pass it around. Each person must use the object in a completely different way, pretending it’s something else. For example, if you’re using a spoon, one person might use it as a microphone, another as a magic wand, and another as a drumstick. This game encourages creativity and quick thinking.
These improv games are fun and also help build communication, creativity, and collaboration. They are great for family gatherings, game nights, or party that might be getting a little boring. No materials are needed so you can do them anywhere at any time. Who needs charades when you have improv? Get ready to have some fun and laughter with these simple yet engaging improv games.
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