Charade Introductions

Name and Purpose

• Charade Introductions is a virtual warm-up where participants introduce themselves through silent actions.
• Players practise observation, creativity, and curiosity while learning about one another without words.

a.k.a.

• Silent Introductions, Act It Out

Age / Group / Time / Space

• Young Adults and Adults (18+) | 5-25 players | 15-20 minutes | Virtual platform with video enabled

Materials

• Device with working camera for each participant
• Optional: a short list of prompt ideas shared in the chat for participants who are not sure what to act out

Quick-Run Card

1. One person acts out three true things about themselves silently on camera.
2. Group guesses in the chat while watching.
3. After all three actions, the person reveals what they were showing.
4. Group applauds and one follow-up question is optional.
5. Move to the next person.

Setup and Boundaries

• Ask participants to make sure their camera is on and they have a little space to move.
• Signal: host gives a thumbs up in the chat when it is time to reveal.
• Keep each turn to 2-3 minutes to maintain energy.

How to Play

1. One participant goes first. They will silently act out three things that are true about themselves. These can be hobbies, feelings, favourite things, or meaningful moments.
2. While they act, the rest of the group types guesses in the chat. No calling out loud.
3. After all three actions are complete, the performer says or types what they were showing.
4. Applaud and celebrate the reveal.
5. If time allows, one person may ask a follow-up question.
6. Move to the next person.

I-OPt Options

• A (Active): Choose actions that are physical and energetic. Ham it up.
• S (Support): Focus your guesses on encouragement. React with emoji to keep energy up.
• Q (Quiet): Choose smaller, subtler gestures. Reveals can be brief.
• O (Observer): Watch and guess without pressure to perform. Join the rotation when ready.

Inclusion Adaptations

• Participants without camera access can type three clues in the chat instead of acting.
• Participants who prefer not to be the focus can join as guessers only and introduce themselves in the chat.

Stewardship Moment

• No materials used. No cleanup needed.
• Reflection: ‘What did you communicate without saying a word? What does that tell us about how much we express beyond language?’

Consent

• Pre-brief: ‘You will act out three things about yourself on camera. For those not comfortable performing on video, sharing three text clues in the chat is another option.’
• Mid-game check: Halfway through the group, drop a quick emoji poll in the chat.
• Opt-out/re-entry: Any participant can pass their turn and come back at the end.

Risks and Mitigation

• Participant acts out something that others find confusing or uncomfortable: keep the pre-brief light and positive, and host gently redirects.
• Technical video issues: fallback is text-based charades in the chat.

Warm-Up Suggestions

• Ask everyone to act out how they are feeling right now using only their face and hands. Five seconds. No explanation.
• Quick round: everyone shows one finger pointing at an imaginary favourite food on their desk.

Debrief Questions

• What? ‘What was the most surprising thing someone acted out?’
• So What? ‘What did you learn about someone that you probably would not have learned in a regular introduction?’
• Now What? ‘How might paying closer attention to what people do, not just what they say, help you understand them better?’

Cleanup and Reset

• No cleanup required.
• Close with a round of applause for the whole group and name 2-3 things you will remember from the reveals.