How To Play Things Game: A Quick Start

How to Play the “Things” Game: A Comprehensive Guide

Ever felt like you need a fun, engaging game that gets everyone laughing and thinking? Then you’ve come to the right place! The “Things” game is a fantastic party game, perfect for family gatherings, game nights with friends, or even a casual icebreaker. It’s simple to learn, but it can lead to some hilarious and unexpected answers. This guide will teach you everything you need to know about how to play “Things” game and become a pro. Let’s dive into the details!

What is the Things Game All About?

At its core, the “Things” game is all about creativity and knowing how others think. It’s a game of subjective answers where you don’t need to be right or wrong. The game focuses on responses to questions that start with “Things that…” like “Things that smell bad” or “Things that make you laugh.” One person reads the prompt, and everyone else writes down answers. Then, you take turns trying to guess who wrote each answer. It’s that simple! This game encourages free thought, a bit of deduction, and lots of laughs as you hear the crazy things people come up with.

Getting Ready to Play

Before we jump into gameplay, we need to get prepared. Here’s a rundown of what you’ll need:

• Paper and Pens/Pencils: You need enough paper for each player to write down multiple answers and something to write with.
• A Prompt List: You can make your own, find them online, or even use a “Things” game card deck. I will share some examples with you later in the guide.
• A Group of Players: This game works best with 3 or more players, but can work with just 2 if you are keen!

Choosing Your Prompts

The prompt is where the magic of the “Things” game lies! The perfect prompt can make or break a game session. Here are some tips and ideas for selecting the best prompts:

• Variety: Try to use a mix of funny, serious, silly, and thoughtful prompts. This keeps the game fresh and keeps everyone on their toes.
• Consider Your Audience: If you’re playing with young kids, choose simpler and more appropriate prompts. When playing with adults, you can get a bit more edgy.
• Personalized Prompts: Making prompts that are specific to your group or common experiences can be very fun and entertaining. For example, “Things we argued about on our last camping trip.”
• Use a Prompt Generator: Don’t feel stuck coming up with your own prompts. Many websites have prompt generators that give you random ideas.

Below are some good prompt ideas, categorized for different scenarios:

Kid-Friendly Prompts

• Things that make you happy
• Things you see at the zoo
• Things that taste yummy
• Things that are blue
• Things you do at the park

Funny Prompts

• Things you would never eat
• Things that are always missing
• Things that sound really annoying
• Things that would make you famous for the wrong reason
• Things your pet would say if it could talk

Thoughtful Prompts

• Things that you are grateful for
• Things that make the world better
• Things you wish you were better at
• Things that make you feel calm
• Things that inspire you

Setting Up Your Game Area

Setting up your game area is easy:

• Clear Space: Make sure you have a clean surface or a table where everyone can write comfortably.
• Good Lighting: Make sure everyone can see what they are writing.
• Comfortable Seating: Choose comfortable seating, so everyone feels relaxed.

Playing the Game: Step-by-Step

Now, let’s get into the actual game play. Here’s a breakdown of how to play “Things” game:

Step 1: Choose a Prompt Reader

To start, pick one person to read the prompt for that round. You can take turns going around the circle if you like.

Step 2: Writing Your Answers

Once a prompt is read aloud, everyone should grab their paper and write down answers that fit the prompt. Try to write at least two or three things. Here are a few simple rules to follow:

• Keep them Secret: Don’t let others see what you’re writing. Keep your answers hidden.
• Be Creative: Think outside the box! The more imaginative your answers, the more fun the game is.
• Be Honest: Try to answer truthfully, to help add to the chaos!

Step 3: Submitting the Answers

After everyone has written down their answers, collect all the papers. If you have a lot of people playing or if someone has written multiple answers, it may help to have one person read all the answers in the next stage. You can also have the answer-giver read out each of their individual answers to the rest of the group.

Step 4: Guessing the Answer Writers

Now comes the fun part: guessing who wrote which answer. Here’s how this stage works:

• Read the Answers Aloud: One at a time, read out the answer papers.
• Make Your Guesses: After each answer is read, all other players get a chance to guess who wrote it.
• Say Who You Think: The guesser says who they think wrote the answer.
• Reveal the Answer Author: The person who wrote the answer says if they wrote that answer or not!

Step 5: Scoring (Optional)

While the “Things” game is more about fun, if you want to keep score, you can! Here are a few ideas:

• One Point Per Correct Guess: Give one point for each correct guess. The player with the most points at the end of several rounds wins.
• Two Points If you Guess Right The First Time: This makes guessing more exciting!
• No Score At All: Don’t score if you want a more relaxed game. The game is entertaining in itself!

Step 6: Continue the Game

Continue playing as many rounds as you’d like. Remember to rotate the prompt reader so everyone gets a chance to read, participate and not get left out.

Tips for a Great “Things” Game Experience

Here are some extra tips to help you have the best game night ever!

Keep it Moving

Try not to spend too much time on any one round. If people are having trouble guessing, move onto the next answer and come back to it if needed. This keeps the pace up and the energy of the game.

Embrace the Absurdity

Don’t be afraid to give silly or outrageous answers. The more random and unexpected, the funnier the game usually is. The game isn’t about being clever or serious; it’s about having fun.

Use a Timer

If you find that people are taking too long to write their answers, use a timer. This will add a little bit of urgency and keep the game from dragging on for too long.

Change it Up

Don’t be afraid to change up the game a bit! Try different scoring methods or even different ways of writing answers. This will keep things fresh and interesting, making every game a unique experience. For instance, you can try the following:

• Theme Nights: Have a “Things” game night that is all about books or movies.
• Team Play: Split the group into teams to brainstorm answers together.
• Reverse Play: Instead of guessing the person, try to guess the prompt based on answers.

Be a Good Sport

Remember, the goal is to have fun! Don’t take the game too seriously and encourage everyone to be a good sport, win or lose. There is always another round if things don’t go your way the first time!

Adapting the “Things” Game for Different Groups

The beauty of the “Things” game is that it is very flexible. You can adjust it based on the group you are playing with.

Playing with Young Children

When playing with younger children, use simple prompts, focus on actions or objects, and don’t worry so much about scoring. Let the kids give silly answers and help them read the prompts if needed. Most of all, make it fun and inclusive for them.

Playing with Adults

Playing with adults allows you to be a bit more sophisticated or daring. You can use prompts that are a bit more abstract, thought-provoking, and even a little bit silly. Don’t be afraid to explore prompts that might lead to funny and unexpected answers.

Playing in a Virtual Setting

You can also play the “Things” game virtually using video calling software. Just have everyone write their answers on a piece of paper and take a picture to show or read them out loud. You can also use digital document software where everyone can write their answers separately.

Playing with a Large Group

If you are playing with a larger group, you may want to break people up into smaller groups or have a designated person read answers aloud to keep the process moving along smoothly. This makes it easier for everyone to stay engaged in the game.

Variations of the Game

There are many ways to play the ‘Things’ game, here are some more examples:

• Themed Versions: This includes holidays, books, or movies, etc.
• Themed Prompts: For example, “Things that annoyed me this week.”
• “Never Have I Ever” Things: Change the prompts into “Never Have I Ever” prompts.

The “Things” game is a fantastic way to have fun, encourage imagination, and learn more about how your family and friends think. With simple rules and endless possibilities, it’s a great game for any occasion. From choosing the right prompts to keeping things moving, remember that the goal is to have a good time and share some laughs.

Now you are equipped with everything you need to play “Things” game. So gather your friends and family, get your paper and pens ready, and prepare for a night of laughter and fun. Remember the main things, like being inclusive, flexible and creative.