What is Story Cubes?
Are you looking for a fun and interactive icebreaker activity for your next team-building event or party? Look no further than Story Cubes! This game is perfect for getting people to loosen up and connect with one another in a lighthearted and engaging way.
The basic premise of Story Cubes is simple: Players take turns rolling a set of dice that each feature different pictures or symbols. They then use these images to come up with and tell a story, incorporating each of the images they rolled. This can lead to some wildly creative and entertaining tales, especially as players start getting more comfortable and improvising off of each other's ideas.
The goal of Story Cubes is to help people get to know each other better, spark their imaginations, and encourage them to think outside the box. It's a great way to build trust and camaraderie among co-workers, classmates, or friends, and can be a refreshing break from more serious or structured activities.
However, Story Cubes may not be the best fit for every group or situation. It's important to gauge the mood and energy level of your participants, and make sure that everyone feels comfortable sharing and playing along. You may also want to avoid this activity if there are any sensitive or triggering topics that could come up during the storytelling.
To make Story Cubes even more fun and engaging, try setting a time limit for each story, or incorporate extra rules like requiring players to use certain words or phrases. You can even use the game as a springboard for further discussion or activities, such as having players act out their stories or brainstorming ways to expand on them.
Overall, Story Cubes is a fantastic icebreaker activity that can generate laughter, creativity, and connection among your group. Give it a try, and see where the story takes you!
Materials needed for Story Cubes
- 9 Story cubes (Standard set)
How to play Story Cubes
- Gather the materials: Collect a set of Story Cubes. Each cube has different pictures on its sides.
- Form a group: Get a small group of people together. This activity is great for icebreaker sessions or casual gatherings.
- Choose a storyteller: Decide who will start the game as the storyteller. They will be the one kicking off the storytelling adventure.
- Roll the Story Cubes: The storyteller rolls all the Story Cubes at once. Each cube will land with a different picture facing up.
- Create a story: The storyteller starts telling a story, incorporating the pictures shown on the Story Cubes. They can use as many or as few cubes in their story as they want.
- Pass the story: After the storyteller finishes their part, pass the storytelling torch to the next person in the group. They continue the story using the pictures they see.
- Keep going: Continue passing the story from person to person. Let each person add their own twists and turns based on the pictures they see on the cubes.
- Wrap it up: Continue the story until everyone has had a chance to contribute or until you reach a suitable ending. Feel free to get creative with the story!
Benefits of Story Cubes
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 Story Cubes include:
- Boosts creativity: Playing Story Cubes encourages players to come up with imaginative and unique stories, thus enhancing their creativity.
- Improves communication skills: The game prompts players to communicate their ideas effectively, which can help improve their overall communication skills.
- Fosters teamwork: Playing the game as a group can help foster a sense of community and teamwork, as players collaborate to create a story.
- Builds confidence: Story Cubes can help build confidence by encouraging players to express their ideas and take risks.
- Offers a break from routine: Story Cubes can serve as a refreshing break from regular work or school tasks, offering a fun and engaging activity to stimulate the mind.
Why we like Story Cubes
We love Story Cubes because they're a great tool for unleashing creativity and imagination. It's a fun way to get people thinking outside the box and to tell unique stories that they might not have thought of otherwise!
Reflection questions for Story Cubes
Reflection questions are a great way to help your team process their experience after playing Story Cubes.
- What were your initial thoughts when you saw the Story Cubes?
This question allows participants to reflect on their first impressions of the activity. It can help them identify any biases or assumptions they had prior to starting, and also highlights what drew them to the activity in the first place.
- What was challenging about using the Story Cubes?
This question helps participants consider any difficulties they faced during the activity. It can highlight areas where they struggled or felt inadequate, and can potentially reveal problem-solving strategies they used to overcome these challenges.
- What emotions did you experience during the Story Cubes activity?
This question encourages participants to reflect on their emotional responses to the activity. They may have felt frustrated, amused, or curious, and examining these emotions can help them better understand their reaction to the exercise.
- What did you learn about others through the Story Cubes activity?
This question encourages participants to think about their interactions with others during the activity. They may have noticed someone's creativity, tendency towards risk-taking, or ability to communicate effectively. Reflecting on these observations can help build stronger connections between participants and develop greater empathy for others.
- What did you learn about yourself through the Story Cubes activity?
This question encourages participants to examine their own behavior, thoughts, and emotions during the activity. They may have discovered new skills, realized hidden strengths or weaknesses, or gained newfound confidence in their own abilities.
Which skills does Story Cubes 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.
- Problem-solving - Problem-solving skills are essential for icebreakers and team building as they help break down barriers, foster creativity, and encourage collaboration, resulting in stronger relationships and more effective problem-solving within the team.
- 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!