Guess the Story

Name and Purpose

Guess the Story is a getting-to-know-you game that builds connection, empathy, and laughter through shared personal stories.
Players share a funny or surprising moment anonymously, and the group guesses who wrote each one.

a.k.a.

Age / Group / Time / Space

Materials

Quick-Run Card

Each player writes a funny or surprising personal story on a slip of paper (no names).
Fold and collect all slips in a bowl.
One at a time, each person draws a slip and reads it aloud.
The group guesses who wrote it. The writer reveals themselves when ready.
Continue until all stories have been read.

Setup and Boundaries

How to Play

Staff explains: “Everyone is going to write down a funny, surprising, or interesting moment from your life. It should be something you are happy to share with the group. No names on the paper.”
Give everyone a slip of paper and a pen. Allow 2-3 minutes to write.
Fold slips and drop them into the bowl. Staff gives the bowl a good shuffle.
Going around the circle, each person draws a slip (if they draw their own, they put it back and draw again).
The person reads the story aloud to the group.
The group guesses who wrote it. Allow 2-3 guesses. The writer reveals themselves when they are ready (or can stay anonymous if they prefer).
Continue until all stories have been read.
Celebrate with a group cheer or round of applause.

I-OPt Options

A (Active): Write a bold story, read others’ stories with dramatic flair, guess enthusiastically
S (Support): Help quieter players think of a story idea, cheer after each reveal
Q (Quiet): Write a story and participate at your own pace. You do not have to guess aloud.
O (Observer): Listen and enjoy. You can choose not to write a story and simply be part of the audience. You are welcome to join in guessing if you like.

Inclusion Adaptations

Players who find writing difficult can whisper their story to a staff member who writes it for them
Players who are not comfortable sharing a personal story can write about a fictional “what if” scenario instead (e.g., “What if I accidentally wore my shirt backwards to school?”)

Stewardship Moment

Collect all slips of paper after the game. Recycle or save blank-sided cards for reuse.
“One bowl, a few slips of paper, and great stories. Low waste, high fun.”

Consent

Pre-brief: “This game is about sharing stories you are comfortable with. You choose what to write. Nothing too personal, nothing that would embarrass someone else. For those not comfortable sharing, you can write a made-up ‘what if’ story, or simply listen and guess.”
Mid-game check: After a few stories, pause. “Everyone still enjoying this? Thumbs up, sideways, or down.”
Opt-out/re-entry: Anyone can pass on reading aloud (hand the slip to someone else). Anyone can choose not to write a story. The writer can stay anonymous if they prefer not to reveal.

Risks and Mitigation

Original title framed stories as “embarrassing,” which could pressure players to share things they regret or feel shame about: reframed as “funny, surprising, or interesting” to keep it positive
A story reveals something sensitive or targets another person: staff reads all slips first (during the shuffle) and quietly removes any that could cause harm
A player feels singled out by the guessing: normalise that guesses are just for fun, and the writer never has to reveal if they do not want to

Warm-Up Suggestions

“Two truths and a wish”: each person shares two true things and one thing they wish were true. Group guesses the wish.
“Story starter”: staff shares their own funny moment first to set the tone and model vulnerability

Debrief Questions

What? “Which story surprised you the most? What made it memorable?”
So What? “What did you learn about someone in the group that you did not know before?”
Now What? “How does sharing stories help us feel more connected to each other?”

Cleanup and Reset