Get ready to unleash your creativity with Finish the Story - the ultimate team-building activity!

What is Finish the Story?

Have you ever been in a group setting and felt awkward or shy? This is where icebreaker activities come in handy! One of my favorites is the Finish the Story game. It's a simple game that gets people laughing and engaged in no time.

To start, one person begins telling a story. They can start with a sentence or two, or even a few words. Then, the next person in the group continues the story, adding their own twist or plot element. They can only add a sentence or two at a time, which makes the story unpredictable and exciting. The game continues on until everyone has contributed to the story, creating a hilarious and imaginative tale.

The goals of this game are to get people to loosen up, be creative, and have fun together. This activity is perfect for getting new groups of people to know each other, as well as bringing together old friends in a new and entertaining way. However, be mindful that not everyone may enjoy participating in a group activity, so it's important to be respectful of those who may not want to participate.

If you want to make this game more enjoyable, try adding a time limit for each person to add their contribution. This will make the game faster-paced and up the stakes for the storyteller. Encourage people to be silly and outrageous in their contributions, and see where the story takes you!

In conclusion, Finish the Story is a fun and easy icebreaker that can liven up any group setting. So why not give it a try at your next party or gathering? Who knows, maybe you'll come up with the next great literary hit!

Materials needed for Finish the Story

Finish the Story requires no materials or tools to play. Just bring yourself and a few others and you'll have a great time!

How to play Finish the Story

• Gather the group: Start by gathering a group of people who want to play the Finish the Story icebreaker activity. It can be a small group of friends or a large group of colleagues.
• Choose a starting sentence: To begin the game, someone needs to come up with a starting sentence for the story. This sentence should be creative and intriguing, setting the stage for an interesting story to unfold.
• Pass the story: Once the starting sentence is decided, the first person in the group says the starting sentence out loud. Then, the next person adds a sentence to continue the story.
• Keep the story going: Continue passing the story around the group, with each person adding one sentence at a time. The goal is to build a cohesive and interesting story together.
• Set a time limit: To keep the game moving, it can be helpful to set a time limit for each person to add their sentence. This prevents one person from dominating the story and ensures everyone gets a chance to contribute.
• End the story: Decide on a point when the story should come to an end. This could be after a certain number of rounds, when everyone has had a turn, or when the story reaches a natural conclusion.
• Read the story aloud: Once the story is finished, read it aloud to the group. It can be amusing to see how the different ideas and sentences come together to create a unique and collaborative story.
• Reflect and discuss: After reading the story, take some time for reflection and discussion. Talk about the different directions the story took, the creativity displayed by each person, and any surprises or funny moments.

Benefits of Finish the Story

Team building activities are far more than just fun and games. They pack a punch when it comes to the range of benefits they can deliver. Some of the benefits of Finish the Story include:

• It sparks creativity: Finish the Story requires players to think on their feet and come up with imaginative story twists, which can help boost creativity and problem-solving skills.
• It promotes teamwork: This activity is perfect for team building as it encourages players to collaborate and work together to create a cohesive story.
• It's a great icebreaker: Finish the Story is a fun way to break the ice and get people comfortable with one another. It can be played in any setting, from a classroom to a workplace, and can help improve communication and socialization between individuals.
• It's flexible: Finish the Story can be played with any number of players and can be adapted to any age group or skill level, making it a versatile activity that can be enjoyed by anyone.
• It's a low-pressure activity: There are no right or wrong answers in Finish the Story, making it a pressure-free and enjoyable activity for everyone involved.

Why we like Finish the Story

We like this game because it's a fun and creative way to bring people together and see how different ideas can come together to create something new.

Reflection questions for Finish the Story

Reflection questions are a great way to help your team process their experience after playing Finish the Story.

1. What was the most interesting twist someone added to the story?
   This question helps participants reflect on notable moments or details from the activity that stood out to them. It also provides an opportunity for participants to share their favorite parts of the activity with others.
2. Did anyone's story go in a direction that surprised you?
   This question encourages participants to consider their assumptions and expectations going into the activity. It can also spark conversation about the creative choices participants made during the icebreaker.
3. What did you enjoy most about this activity?
   This open-ended question allows participants to reflect on the overall experience of the activity. It invites them to consider both the social and creative aspects of the icebreaker.
4. Did you feel comfortable contributing to the story?
   This question addresses the social dynamics of the activity. It can help facilitators gauge the level of engagement and inclusivity in the group, and identify any potential discomfort or barriers to participation.
5. Can you identify any themes or motifs that emerged in the story?
   This question invites participants to reflect on the underlying elements and patterns in the story they created. It can also prompt conversation about the creative process and how different contributors built on each other's ideas.

Which skills does Finish the Story build?

• Creativity - Creativity skills can greatly enhance icebreakers and team building by allowing participants to think outside the box and come up with unique solutions and ideas. This promotes collaboration, boosts morale, and fosters a positive and innovative environment within a team.
• Storytelling - Storytelling skills can help create a warm and engaging atmosphere during icebreakers and team building activities. They can captivate and connect people, fostering a sense of camaraderie and bringing teams closer together.
• Listening - Listening skills in icebreakers and team building promote effective communication, understanding, and empathy among participants, fostering a positive and cohesive team dynamic.
• Imagination - Imagination skills are super helpful for icebreakers and team building because they allow people to think creatively and come up with unique ideas, making the activities more engaging and fun for everyone involved!