Playing the favorite things game involves each person sharing their preferred items or experiences within a chosen category, like movies or foods, and the others guess why those things are favorites.
Ever wondered about the fun, yet simple, ways to connect with others? One such activity is how to play favorite things game. It offers a delightful way to learn more about your friends, family, or even new acquaintances.
This game focuses on individual preferences. It allows everyone to share what they love and encourages others to think why they love those things too.
How to Play Favorite Things Game
The “Favorite Things” game is a super fun and easy activity that people of all ages can enjoy. It’s a great way to learn more about each other, spark interesting conversations, and share what makes you happy. Whether you’re playing with family, friends, or even new acquaintances, this game is sure to bring lots of laughs and good times. The game revolves around sharing your preferences across different categories, giving everyone a peek into your personality and interests. Let’s dive into the simple steps to make sure you have a fantastic time!
Getting Ready to Play
Before you begin, a little preparation can make the game flow more smoothly. Here’s what you should think about:
Gathering Your Players
First, decide who’s going to play. This game works with just two people, or a big group! There’s no limit to how many can join in. Whether it’s a cozy gathering or a classroom full of friends, everyone can have fun with favorite things.
Choosing How to Share
Decide how you’ll share your favorites. You can go around in a circle, taking turns. Or, if you are playing with many people, you could use a simple system like going in alphabetical order by first name. Another way, especially in a larger group, is to pick a person randomly. The important thing is to make it fair and easy to follow.
Deciding on Categories
This is a key step that lets you tailor the game. You can create a list of different favorite things categories. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Favorite Food
- Favorite Color
- Favorite Animal
- Favorite Book
- Favorite Movie
- Favorite Song
- Favorite Game
- Favorite Place
- Favorite Hobby
- Favorite Season
You can keep the categories simple and general for young kids, or make them more detailed and specific for older groups. For example, instead of “Favorite Food” you could use “Favorite Dessert” or “Favorite Snack”. Be creative and tailor the categories to your specific group. You can write out the categories on a piece of paper or whiteboard so everyone can see them easily.
How to Play: Step-by-Step
Now that the prep is done, it’s time to play! Here’s how it usually goes:
Step 1: The First Player Shares
The first person will begin. They’ll go through each category you’ve selected and share their “favorite thing” for that specific category. For example, they might say, “My favorite food is pizza, my favorite color is blue, my favorite animal is a dog, and my favorite book is [a book name]”. Encourage the person to say a little something about why they like that particular thing. This helps others understand why it is their favorite.
Step 2: The Next Player Takes Their Turn
Once the first person has shared all their favorites, the next person in the circle or the next person chosen in your preferred method will take their turn. They will also share their favorites in each category you established.
Step 3: Keep Playing
Keep going around until everyone has had a chance to share. It’s as easy as that! As people share, be sure to listen carefully and ask them more questions if you want to. You might find out you have a lot in common, or you might learn something new about someone you think you know well.
Tips for Making the Game Even Better
To make sure everyone has the best time, consider these helpful hints:
Keeping It Light and Fun
The most important thing is to keep the mood relaxed and lighthearted. This isn’t a competition. It’s about sharing and connecting with others. Encourage everyone to enjoy being themselves. If someone is having trouble thinking of a favorite, it’s okay to skip that category or come back to it later.
No Wrong Answers
Remind everyone that there are no right or wrong answers. Everyone has different tastes and preferences, and that’s okay. It’s what makes us special! It’s important to encourage everyone to be honest about what they love, without feeling judged.
Adding a Little Extra
Sometimes, you can add something small, like a physical object related to each category. For instance, if someone says their favorite thing is a book, they could bring the book, or an image of the book. This could also work for things like toys, clothing items, or even a picture of their favorite animal. This adds a visual element that can be really fun. Another idea is for people to bring their “favorite” thing related to a certain category. For example, if the category is a favorite food, each person could bring their favorite snack. But remember that this is not a necessity for the game.
Listen Attentively
Encourage people to listen closely when others are sharing. This is not only respectful but can also lead to more fun conversations. You might discover that you share some favorites, which can make you feel closer with the others. It can also be interesting to hear about the favorite things that you had never considered before.
Variations to Keep It Fresh
The game is very flexible. You can tweak it to keep things interesting. Here are some variations you can try:
- “Would You Rather?” twist: After everyone shares, ask a few “Would you rather…” questions related to some of the favorite things people mentioned. This can spark some funny and lively discussions. For example, “Would you rather eat pizza every day or have ice cream every day?”
- Hidden Favorites: Each person writes down their favorite things for each category, but doesn’t share them out loud. Everyone then guesses which favorites belong to which person.
- Theme it up: Have everyone pick their favorite things in a certain theme like “Favorite outdoor activities” or “Favorite things that are blue”.
- The “Why” Game: When someone shares their favorites, ask “why?”. For example, if they say, “My favorite color is yellow,” ask, “Why do you like yellow?”. This can result in deeper answers and conversations.
- “The Never-ending Favorite Things”: This game involves each person adding to each category in a round-robin fashion. Person one might start the round with “My favorite food is tacos” and the next person in the circle must add a new favorite, such as, “My favorite food is tacos and lasagna”. Each person must include the previous answers in their response, as well as add a new item to the list.
Why This Game Is So Great
Playing the Favorite Things game has many benefits:
Great for Getting to Know Each Other
It’s a fantastic way to learn about the people around you. You’ll hear about their interests, passions, and the things that make them happy. It helps everyone get to know each other in a really engaging way.
Sparks Interesting Conversations
The game naturally leads to great conversations. When someone mentions their favorite book, or movie, or place, it opens the door for follow-up questions and friendly discussions. You might end up sharing stories and experiences you wouldn’t have otherwise.
Builds Connections
Sharing your favorite things can help you bond with other people. Discovering that you have a lot in common can build a sense of connection and create a stronger bond. You will also get to know others better even if you don’t have a lot in common because you’ll hear about the things that make them happy.
Simple and Adaptable
It’s easy to learn and doesn’t require any special materials. You can play it just about anywhere and with any group of people. It can be adapted for small groups or large parties, for quiet times at home or for loud and fun gatherings.
Fun for all ages
No matter how old or young everyone is, everyone can enjoy playing this game. Because there are no complicated rules, even very young kids can participate and have fun. Older kids and even adults can have a lot of fun playing this game, too.
The Favorite Things game is more than just a simple activity; it’s a fun way to connect with others and learn more about the things that bring joy to our lives. It’s a celebration of individuality and a testament to the little things that make us who we are.
So, gather your friends, decide on your favorite things categories, and get ready for a great time! Remember, there’s no limit to the fun you can have when sharing your favorites. Be yourself, have fun, and create lasting memories.
Eye My Favorite Things — game overview at SPIEL '18
Final Thoughts
To play, each person shares their favorite thing from a specific category. This can be anything they enjoy. Go around the circle, giving everyone a chance to participate and express their preferences. It is that simple and you must have fun with it.
Remember, there is no right or wrong answer, just personal taste. How to play favorite things game is all about sharing and getting to know others better. It is very easy to participate in this fun activity.



