An exercise in group story building and creativity, "Once Upon A Time" spins strange tales never before told.
Age
All AgesNumber of Players
10 to 20, 20+, As many as you can handle!Prep Time
5 minutes or lessTime Length
15 - 30 minutesDifficulty
Attention, please! (a few rules to follow)Indoor/Outdoor
EitherSpace Needed
Small (a clearable open space the size of a 1-car garage), Medium (a clearable open space the size of a 2-car garage)Noise Level
QuietSetup
1. Everybody participating should sit near each other so they can be easily heard. I suggest getting comfy: couches, blankets, pillows.
2. Having treats to munch on is also nice. Popcorn, crackers, maybe a bit of candy....
How to Play
1. All participants are allowed to say and make up whatever they want to contribute to this story. There are no specifications as to what cannot be said. The only rule is that each participant must add on to what the prior person said.
2. One person in the group begins the story by saying "Once Upon a Time..." and continues to finish their sentence, setting up the beginning of the story. They can start it off using characters or setting of their choice.
3. After the first person has given a minute or so of story plot, or is simply ready to pass on the storytelling job, they tap the person nearest to them to continue telling the story.
4. The new storyteller further adds to the story.
5. This goes on and on until someone in the group finally ends the story. If you have a large group, it's best that each person add to the story once, and the last person provides the ending. A smaller group can go around a few times.
6. With so many storytellers involved, the story takes many fun and unexpected twists and turns!
Variations
1. Perfect for Halloween, the game can begin with "On a Dark and Stormy Night..." or "One All Hallow's Eve..."
2. It can also be altered for any other holiday occasion: "It was Christmas Eve and Santa was loading his sleigh..."
3. The options are endless... have fun!