Right and Left Story Circle

Name and Purpose

Right and Left Story Circle is a lighthearted listening game that wakes up a group at the start of a session or resets energy mid-meeting.
Players practise listening carefully and responding quickly, all while staying connected to the people around them.

a.k.a.

Age / Group / Time / Space

Ages 8-16 | 8-40 players | 10-15 minutes | Indoor or outdoor circle; works at round tables or in open space

Materials

Quick-Run Card

Arrange the group in a circle, seated or standing.
Explain: every time you hear RIGHT, step or lean right; every time you hear LEFT, step or lean left.
Read the story at a clear, steady pace.
Pause after dramatic moments if the group is getting tangled up.
Close with a quick debrief.

Setup and Boundaries

Clear a space at least one arm-length between players so stepping does not cause collisions.
Signal: one raised hand from the leader means pause; two claps means gather back to original spots.
Check for tripping hazards, chair legs, or uneven ground before starting.

How to Play

Players stand (or sit) in a circle, evenly spaced.
Leader explains: “Every time you hear the word RIGHT in the story, take one step to your right. Every time you hear LEFT, take one step to your left.”
Leader reads the Mr. and Mrs. Wright story at a measured pace, emphasising RIGHT and LEFT clearly.
Players follow the words. Some mixing and bumping is part of the fun.
After the story ends, players return to their original spot.
No one is ever out. If someone loses track, they simply rejoin where they feel comfortable.

I-OPt Options

A (Active): Step fully right and left with energy, staying engaged throughout the story.
S (Support): Stand beside a newer camper and model the steps so they can follow along.
Q (Quiet): Sway or lean instead of stepping; participate at low intensity.
O (Observer): Watch from just outside the circle; join in whenever ready.

Inclusion Adaptations

Seated version: players lean or slide their chair slightly rather than stepping; works for players with mobility considerations.
Staff will know which players benefit from a demonstration before the full group starts; a short practice round with just RIGHT and LEFT helps everyone get comfortable.

Stewardship Moment

If using printed story cards, collect and store them for reuse.
Reflection: “We all heard the same words and moved differently. What does that tell us about how we each experience the same situation?”

Consent

Pre-brief: “We are going to listen to a story together and move when we hear two key words. For those who would rather stay still and just listen, that is a completely fine way to play.”
Mid-game check: After a few rounds of movement, pause briefly and ask players to give a thumbs up, sideways, or down to show how they are feeling.
Opt-out/re-entry: Players may step back a half-step any time they need more space. Call “In!” to rejoin the circle.

Risks and Mitigation

Bumping into neighbours when stepping: remind players to take small steps and be aware of those beside them.
Players feeling embarrassed if they step the wrong way: frame mistakes as part of the fun; no one is tracking who goes where.
Tight spaces creating tripping risk: clear the area before starting and ask players to step, not lunge.

Warm-Up Suggestions

“Elbow Echo”: stand in a circle and mirror each other’s elbow movements for 30 seconds.
“One-Step Freeze”: take one big step in any direction on the leader’s clap, then freeze; repeat three times to get comfortable with moving together.

Debrief Questions

What? “What happened when a lot of RIGHTs or LEFTs came in a row?”
So What? “What did it feel like to move together as a group?”
Now What? “When in real life do you have to listen carefully and react quickly?”

Cleanup and Reset