Would You Rather...?

How to Play

Setup

1. Choose a facilitator to guide the pace, keep the tone positive, and introduce questions. This can rotate each round.
2. Decide the format for choosing: hands up, moving to sides of the room, stepping to a spectrum line, or using a quick digital poll for virtual groups.
3. Set the tone and boundaries: remind players to keep prompts inclusive, avoid sensitive topics (politics, religion, trauma, or overly personal items), and focus on playful, hypothetical choices.
4. Timebox the session (for example, 15–30 minutes) and plan 6–12 questions depending on discussion depth.
5. Optional: Prepare a themed list of prompts (workplace, travel, food, superpowers, silly scenarios) or invite participants to submit suggestions in advance.

How to Play

1. The facilitator asks a Would you rather question offering two clear options, such as: Would you rather have teleportation for a day or talk to animals for a day?
2. Players choose one option quickly. Use your selected method: raise hands, move to the labeled side of the room, or click a poll answer.
3. Invite a few volunteers from each side to share their reasoning in 15–30 seconds each. Keep it light, curious, and respectful.
4. After 1–2 minutes of discussion, move on to the next question to maintain energy and variety.
5. Continue for the allotted time. End with a fun or reflective closer, such as a lightning round of 3 rapid-fire questions.

Rules

1. Two options only per question; keep them mutually exclusive and similarly attractive or tricky.
2. No fence-sitting: participants must choose one. If needed, allow a 3-second countdown to decide.
3. Stay respectful: react to ideas, not people. No teasing or pressuring anyone to justify their choice.
4. Keep it inclusive: avoid topics that single out or alienate. The facilitator may veto or rephrase any prompt.
5. Time discipline: limit each share to keep pace. Rotate speakers to ensure broad participation.

Tips

• Mix tones: alternate between silly, practical, and thought-provoking questions to keep engagement high.
• Start easy: warm up with light prompts before moving to more creative or reflective ones.
• Use themes: tie questions to a project, season, or team milestone to make it relevant.
• Encourage curiosity: ask What surprised you? or What did you learn about someone? at the end.
• Prepare a backup list: have 10–15 extra prompts ready in case discussion is brief.
• Virtual boost: use chat or emoji reactions for quick picks; spotlight a few responses per round.

Variations

• Spectrum Line: Instead of two sides, create a scale from 1 to 5; players stand or place their icon along the line to show intensity of preference.
• Lightning Round: Rapid-fire 5–10 questions with no discussion; great as an energizer.
• Debate Mode: After choosing sides, each team crafts a 30-second pitch; switch speakers each round.
• Pair and Share: In pairs or trios, choose and explain to one another, then share one highlight with the group.
• Themed Sets: Workplace edition (meetings, tools, work styles), Adventure edition (travel, food, outdoors), or Creative edition (superpowers, time travel, inventions).