Top Three Christmas/Winterval Improv Games!

If you already improvise, I imagine you’re taking a bit of a break for the holidays, but you can always introduce games to non-improviser friends and family. Here are my three favourites!
 
Danish Clapping
I’ve played this with my niece since she was five, so I know it’s pretty suitable for everyone.
 
Stand (or sit) facing a partner. Both clap at the same time. Now choose one of three directions to throw your arms: left, right or up. You are not trying to copy your partner, just choose a direction. Now clap again (at the same time as your partner).
[clap] [direction] [clap] [direction] etc.
Once you’ve got that going, look out for the times when you both happen to throw your arms out in the same direction (like a mirror). When you do, clap like you normally would, then celebrate with a high-ten and go back to a clap.
[clap] [direction] [clap] [same direction] [clap] [high-ten!] [clap] [direction] etc.
 
If you want to play this game with a group, start in pairs, then if one of you ‘messes up’ by forgetting to high-ten or something, that person becomes a cheerleader for the ‘winner’ and they play another duo ‘winner’ until one person becomes victorious. Personally I like it as a collaborative game, where you just laugh and restart when it goes wrong, but either is fun.
 
Mind Meld
This is a great game for the people in your family or friendship group that are thinky. It feels competitive, but is actually collaborative.
 
Think of a word. When you have one in mind, say “One”. Your partner thinks of any word and when they have one they say “Two”. Now you count together “One, two, three [word]” so your words are spoken on top of each other. Let’s imagine the words are Tree and Foil. Now you both need to think of a word that might make sense of both Tree and Foil.
A: One
B: Two
Both: One, Two, Three [tree/foil]
A: One
B: Two
Both: One, Two, Three [decorations]
When you land on the same word, sing a victory song, high-ten one another or celebrate in any way you want! It may take a while, or it may happen quickly. You only have to think about the two words that were just said, not the ones before that.
 
Playing in a group is just the same, where two people elect to play by shouting “One” or “Two” but after those words are spoken, anyone can play the next word.
 
Spelling Machine
This is a lovely game that works in performance too, so you can entertain people who don’t want to play, or take turns.
 
Stand or sit together in a trio. Get a made up word from your audience, or suggest one yourselves if there is no one watching. Let's say the word is 'Koodle'.
Spell: From left to right in your line, spell out the made up word one letter at a time. “K.O.O.D.L.E”
Define: Again, going down the line a few times, define the word using one word at a time. “Koodle. Means. To. Hug. A. Friend. Who. Hates. Physical. Contact.”
Use in a sentence: One word at a time, go down the line saying a sentence containing the made-up word. “It’s. Christmas. So. I’m. Going. To. Koodle. You.”
 
Remember, it’s not about getting it right (there is no right), but enjoying your collaborative creativity and silliness.
 
Have a lovely Winterval!
 
Katy

Katy's book The Improviser's Way will be published in 2018 by Nick Hern Books.

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