The Games (So Far)
Flock – a physical warm-up for larger groups (10+) that deep noticing and joyful silliness
Incorporations – a fast-paced, movement-and-talking game to help members of larger groups (20+) discover what they have in common
Hot Seat – an intimate question-asking game for small-to-medium sized groups (8 to 15) who already have trust but need an excuse to get more vulnerable—an absolute classic that I’ve used for two decades!
Mindmeld – a fast-paced verbal association game for groups of 5-15, in which two group members attempt to “mindmeld” by saying the same word at the same time without collaboration
Powerpoint Karaoke – participants create 10-slide presentations about anything they’d like and each person confidently delivers someone else’s presentation, sight-unseen
Curiosity – a powerful 2-person game in which you ask a series of questions that interest both you and your partner, reflecting on the nature of curiosity itself
How to Get Involved
I’m sharing new games via group videocall (Google Meet) every few weeks, with an unpredictable, ever-changing schedule to accommodate various time zones. Each call includes three games: a deliberate mixture ranging from light/silly to deep/spicy. Participation is limited. The calls are recorded and posted here.
Get notified about future calls
The Next Call
- 11am-12:15pm PT
- 2pm-3:15pm ET
- 8pm-9:15pm Central European Time
- G’Day Sheila: a hilarious, ridiculous, and fast-paced verbal game for groups of 6+.
- Reach Out & Touch: a sweet, appreciative activity for groups of 10+, perfect for the end of a long gathering or event.
- Trust Circle: an intense, high-vulnerability game for larger groups (20+) that promotes group bonding through cathartic personal revelations.
About the Project
After two decades of working with self-directed teenagers, I’ve accumulated a lot of group games, ranging from the silly to the sacred. Now I’m sharing these games online, with a focus on facilitation, rather than just “the rules of the game.”
If you’re a parent, youth worker, educator, or other kind of facilitator, you can use these games to encourage group bonding, interpersonal empathy, and deeper friendships. The demographic is “teenagers and beyond,” as many games require higher levels of trust, attention, and vulnerability.
The goal is to learn how to take a group of young adults from “awkward, self-absorbed, and distracted” to “smiling, attentive, and connected,” without ever making things too weird, forced, or therapeutic. Here’s more backstory.
Why Join a Call?
Join one of my live calls to become part of the magic-making, experience live demonstrations (and possibly participate), and ask questions about facilitation, troubleshooting, and making games work for your particular situation.
When you join a call, please donate to signal your support. If you’re a cash-strapped individual or non-profit, donate $3. If you have deeper pockets or institutional support, donate $30. Or any amount in-between. I just request that donations be made before the call.
Donation Methods
- Venmo (@blakeboles / last four: 9738)
- Zelle (yourstruly@blakeboles.com)
- Credit card (https://ko-fi.com/blakeboles) – warning, I lose a good amount to fees!
- Foreign bank transfer (ask for details)
I hope to see you soon!
—Blake
Future Games (in no particular order)
- Zen Counting
- Evolution
- Ha-Ha
- Affirmation Circle
- Spectrum
- Silent/Blind Line-up
- How’s Yours?
- Best Friends / Mortal Enemies
- Rock-Paper-Scissors Cheerleaders
- Walk with me if
- Confusing introductions
- Bonding night
- Tarp drop
- Blind face drawing
- Big wind blows / Never have I ever
- Question of another
- Power shuffle
- In the manner of the adverb
- Yee-haw
- Exquisite corpse
- Fantasy
- Gladiator
- Thunderdome
- Big Booty / Big Buddhist
- Camouflage
- In Groups of _ Form _
- Empathy
- Poop Smoothie