Pterodactyl

Name and Purpose

Pterodactyl is a circle game about keeping a straight face while saying a ridiculous word.
Players practise self-control, building presence, and finding joy in a shared, low-stakes challenge.

a.k.a.

Age / Group / Time / Space

Materials

Quick-Run Card

Everyone practises covering teeth with lips before the round starts.
One player starts and says “pterodactyl” to the person on their right without showing teeth.
That person responds and passes it on, also without showing teeth.
Faces, sounds, and expressions are all allowed as long as no teeth show.
If someone shows teeth, the group laughs together, play resets from that player. Track the group’s longest chain.

Setup and Boundaries

How to Play

Everyone practises the teeth-covered lip position together before the round begins.
Staff demonstrates passing “pterodactyl” to their neighbour while keeping teeth covered.
One player starts and turns to the player on their right, saying “pterodactyl” with covered teeth.
That player must respond and pass the word along, also with covered teeth.
Players may make faces, sounds, and silly expressions to try to make others show their teeth, as long as their own teeth stay covered.
When a player shows their teeth, everyone laughs together. Play resets from that player: they cover their teeth and pass the word again.
No one leaves the circle. The group tracks their longest chain (number of successful passes before a break).
After each break, the group tries to beat their record.
Celebrate the group’s longest chain at the end of the session.

I-OPt Options

A (Active): Compete in the circle, using maximum expression and misdirection to try to break the chain
S (Support): Track the group’s chain count and announce records
Q (Quiet): Sit in the circle and focus on passing quietly without elaborate distraction attempts
O (Observer): Watch from outside the circle; help count the chain length or join the circle when ready

Inclusion Adaptations

Players who have difficulty controlling lip coverage due to orthodontics or other dental factors may hold a small piece of cloth gently over their mouth as a substitute
Players who prefer not to make faces may participate by passing only the word, without distraction attempts

Stewardship Moment

No materials used; note how this game generates laughter and connection from one silly word
Reflection: “What other everyday words could become a game like this?”

Consent

Pre-brief: “This game involves making faces and saying a funny word. If you show your teeth, the group laughs together and play resets from you. No one leaves the circle. For those not comfortable being watched closely, sitting further back in the circle is another option.”
Mid-game check: After the first few chains, check in with thumbs up or sideways.
Opt-out/re-entry: Players may step just outside the circle for a break and rejoin at any time.

Risks and Mitigation

Players deliberately targeting or staring down one person: staff reminds everyone that the goal is shared fun, not domination
Players feeling pressure as the chain gets long: frame every break as the fun part. “That’s a 14-pass chain! Can we beat it?”
Circle energy dropping: add a twist (e.g., change to a different silly word, or pass in the opposite direction)

Warm-Up Suggestions

Quick practice round with a normal word (e.g., “umbrella”) before switching to “pterodactyl”
“Straight Face Walk”: players walk past each other trying to make one another smile

Debrief Questions

What? “What was the group’s longest chain? What broke it?”
So What? “What helped the group keep going? What made it harder?”
Now What? “When is keeping a straight face a useful real-life skill? When is laughing together just as important?”

Cleanup and Reset