This is an easy game to play anywhere, no equipment is needed and it can lead to some great conversations.
It’s brilliant because it can be played wherever you are and pretty much with anyone. It’s a fabulous way to get to know people better, even members of your own family. And if you are ever travelling with kids and get stuck waiting somewhere, it’s the perfect distraction.
Plus it encourages conversation, instead of keeping the kids amused with some electronic gadget when you are stuck in a queue or waiting room or waiting for food at a restaurant you can be helping them with their conversation skills and diplomacy
The Rules Of The Game
The rules are simple and well, really you can change them to suit who you are playing with.
Simply ask them to choose between one thing or another…
Child – “Would your rather A or B”
Me – “A”
Child – “Would you rather A or C?”
Me – “C”
Child – “Would you rather C or D?”
So the winning choice is used again in the next question but there needs to be some kind of connection, here is a more expanded example
Child – “Would you rather be a great singer or a great musician?
Me – “Great at singing”
Child – “Would you rather be famous because of your singing or as an inventor?
Me – “Inventor”
Child – “Would you rather invent something that makes lots of money or invent something that makes you famous?
Me – “Makes lots of money “
Child – “WHAT?”
It Often Leads Onto A Discussion
And that leads us into a discussion on the answer given.
Then often we pick up again but the other person starts asking questions.
We have had some brilliant conversations on topics as far-reaching as:
- What we would have done if a friend was a Nazi
- What we would eat for dinner with a famous artist
- Where we would build a dream home
- What we would change in history if we have a time machine
- Why we would banish a particular animal from existence and
- Which foods do we want to eat for a lifetime?
Some of the conversations are deep and serious often leading to other issues in a similar vein. Other times the conversation is fun and whimsical, silly and has us in giggles.
The mood of the game is as unpredictable as the answers, which is what makes it so much fun.
Use the word Why frequently and follow their train of thought.
Question their ideas but don’t mock them.
Dig a little deeper to find out why they think about something.
Sometimes you’ll end up with a shrug and an “I don’t know” and other times you will unearth a gem.
This game to play anywhere can be used for awkward situations too…
The game is also great as a conversation starter and one you can teach your kids to use if they find it hard to connect when they first meet someone new plus it can be played with all ages. It’s also great if you are trying to limit screen time and get kids actually talking to each other.
Sometimes kids and their grandparents find it hard to connect, maybe they don’t see each other often or maybe it’s just a generation gap thing but the game can really help them to learn more about each other.
And you might be surprised to learn things about your parents too. My son has even asked his grandparents from both sides the same questions then we have talked about the answers – my side of the family is British whereas his dad’s side is Japanese, which makes for some interesting observations about the different cultures.
When he was younger, my son had an interest in World War II. As you can imagine having family on opposing sides could be a bit of a touchy subject.
But through the game and asking more questions he discovered that despite being on different sides both sets of grandparents suffered in the same way. Their stories of rations and air raids are very similar although my family lived in the city and the Japanese family were more in the countryside.
All you need is a pinch of imagination
Because it needs no equipment, just a pinch of imagination, you really can play it anywhere, on the train, in the car, waiting for dinner to finish cooking, in the bath…
And if your child comes out with a complete gem of an answer, write it down and come and share it with me, I’m a sucker for this kind of thing! Pop it on Facebook so that it comes up in your memories in years to come.