The one word story game, one word each, no planning allowed.

The rules

1. Pick a title. Choose a title from the list below, or ask the group for one.
2. Go round. The first player says one word. The next player says the next word. Keep going round the circle.
3. Keep it moving. Say the first word that fits. Fast is better than clever.
4. Use full stops. Any player may say “full stop” instead of a word. The next player starts a new sentence.
5. End together. After a few minutes, someone says “The”, the next says “end”, and everyone bows.

Example

Twelve titles to use as prompts

These are story titles from Taletoss decks. A title gives the group a shared idea to aim at.

• The Runaway Banana
• The Wobbly Jelly
• Giant Trouble
• The Fridge Knows
• Don’t Open the Blue Cupboard
• The House Has Opinions
• The Frog Who Said No
• The Clumsy Dragon
• The Great Zoo Escape
• Who Let the Goat In?
• Are We There Yet?
• Backseat Chronicles

Variations

• Three words each: easier for young children and gives more control.
• One sentence each: a story chain. Add a rule that each player sees or hears only the sentence before.
• Letter chain: each word must start with the last letter of the word before. Hard and very funny.
• Questions only: every sentence must be a question. Great for drama groups.
• Speed round: anyone who pauses for more than three seconds swaps places with the next player.

Tips for kids and drama groups

• Accept the word before yours, even if it is strange. Saying “no” stops the story.
• Small words matter. “The”, “and” and “suddenly” keep sentences moving.
• Record it on a phone and play it back. Hearing it again is half the fun.
• For a class, split into circles of six to eight so everyone gets plenty of turns.

Questions

How do you play the one word story game?

Sit in a circle. Each player adds one word to a story in turn, so the story builds word by word. Players can say “full stop” to end a sentence. Keep going for a few minutes, then end with “The end”.

What is the point of the one word story game?

It trains listening and quick thinking. In improv and drama it teaches players to accept and build on what others offer. For children it is also good practice in sentence structure.

What age is the one word story game for?

From about four, with a grown-up helping. Older children and adults can play the harder versions, like the letter chain.

How many people do you need?

Two or more. It is at its best with four to eight.

More story game guides

• The fortunately, unfortunately gameHow to play the fortunately, unfortunately story game: simple rules, 12 starters, a worked example and tips for kids, car journeys and the classroom.
• Story games for familiesTen storytelling games for families that need no kit: story chain, fortunately unfortunately, secret words and more, each with a line to start.
• Story starters for kidsSixty funny story starters for kids, grouped by theme: everyday weirdness, fairy tales, animals, spooky, pirates, superheroes, space, mysteries and road trips.
• Story cubes alternativesNo story dice at home? Make your own with one ordinary die and a roll table, or try six storytelling games that need no dice at all.

All guides