Games for Non-Improvisors

[Vicki]

I am going to be at a rather large family reunion next week, with about 70 people from 10 to 80. I have been asked to lead some games to get everyone warmed up and friendly. What games would you suggest for a situation like this?

Thanks in advance for your help.
Vicki

[Asaf]

My favorite thing to do with large groups is Rochimbaud.

Which is Rock Paper Scissors.

The idea is that everyone partners off and does Rock Paper Scissors (best one out of one). One person wins and the other person becomes their enthusiastic entourage as they seek out a new competitor.

This keeps going until there is one winner and everyone celebrating them.

It is the most awesome thing in the world. And a great note to end a run of games on.

[JLOgan]

Loved playing that game at the Merlin Works Mixer a couple months back.

[Rev. Jordan T. Maxwell]

I am going to be at a rather large family reunion next week, with about 70 people from 10 to 80. I have been asked to lead some games to get everyone warmed up and friendly. What games would you suggest for a situation like this?

Thanks in advance for your help.
Vicki

Whoosh Bang Pow (or its variants) is always fun.

or, for a family reunion, introduce the new game "Who's Gay and Who Cares?" might get some awkward conversations out of the way early on...

My favorite thing to do with large groups is Rochimbaud.

Which is Rock Paper Scissors.

The idea is that everyone partners off and does Rock Paper Scissors (best one out of one). One person wins and the other person becomes their enthusiastic entourage as they seek out a new competitor.

This keeps going until there is one winner and everyone celebrating them.

It is the most awesome thing in the world. And a great note to end a run of games on.

we opened every Live Nude Improv show with this, and it was a delightful way to break the ice and get the audience on our side.

(i took to calling it Rock/Paper/Scissors: Highlander Style. )

[scott.hearne]

*Name Game*

The name game works well for non-imps.

First, form a circle and individually, each person does a motion and says their name. Everyone in the circle then copies the motion and repeats the name.

Second, after everyone has said their name and performed their motion, a member of the circle states their name and motion and then states the name and performs the motion of another person. The other person then does their name and motion and chooses another name and motion. So on and on...

I hope this was a clear explanation of the game.

STH

[Chuy!]

Fruit basket turnover!

Everyone is assigned a fruit.

One person is in the middle of the circle and calls out one of those fruits.

The fruits that are called have to stand and run to a different chair while the person in the middle tries to get to a chair.

The person in the middle can say, "Fruit Basket Turnover!" and everyone has to find a new seat.

Beware of overly aggressive seat-grabbers.

Murder!

Everyone in the circle closes their eyes.

The leader touches a few people who are designated "murderers".

If a murderer winks at you, you're out. (don't give away the murderer!)

If you can identify a murderer, they are out.

Wheeeee!

[beardedlamb]

Vampires is pretty sweet and big hit at the summer camp I just did.

Everyone closes their eyes and one person assigns a vampire by touching their head. Everyone then opens their eyes and attends a fake cocktail party, shaking hands and saying hello. The vampire can choose to scratch the palm of anyone whos hand they shake. The person who was scratched must then shake hands with three more people before dying a dramatic death.

If someone thinks they know who the vampire is, they can go to the facilitator who picked the vampire and whisper their guess. If they are wrong, they are dead immediately and if they are right, they have a seat. After three correct guesses of who the vampire is, the game is over and they are discovered.

You must shake hands when asked to shake hands and you can't make a guess once you've been scratched obviously. It also works well with two vampires picked at the beginning in large groups. Also, note that the vampire doesn't have to scratch anyone's hand unless they want to.

[Vicki]

or, for a family reunion, introduce the new game "Who's Gay and Who Cares?" might get some awkward conversations out of the way early on...

I am pretty sure in my family we know who is gay...and no one seems to care.

Thanks y'all for the advice. Besides the game of Who is Gay and Who Cares, I am seeing that we should keep it easy and simple...and fun!

[Brad Hawkins]

Fruit basket turnover!

Everyone is assigned a fruit.

One person is in the middle of the circle and calls out one of those fruits.

The fruits that are called have to stand and run to a different chair while the person in the middle tries to get to a chair.

The person in the middle can say, "Fruit Basket Turnover!" and everyone has to find a new seat.

Beware of overly aggressive seat-grabbers.

Murder!

Everyone in the circle closes their eyes.

The leader touches a few people who are designated "murderers".

If a murderer winks at you, you're out. (don't give away the murderer!)

If you can identify a murderer, they are out.

Wheeeee!

At first, I totally didn't get that these were two games.