Here are 6 games you can run with a single deck of cards, to make your sessions more fun!
If you like this, you should check out the others things I make.
1. Card Connectors
Objective: Break the ice and encourage participants to connect.
Instructions:
- Shuffle the deck and give each participant one card.
- Participants must find someone with the same number card, in complete silence.
- Once paired, they introduce themselves and answer: “What is the significance of this suit or number in your life?”
- Repeat the process until all suits have formed groups and met.
- Encourage participants to reflect on their connections after the activity.
2. Silent Sparks
Objective: Practice creative communication and active listening.
Instructions:
- One participant draws a card and describes it creatively without mentioning the suit or number, using a single sentence.
- Example: “I love how sparkly the dew looks at dawn!” to describe the Six of Diamonds.
- Descriptions cannot repeat what was said before.
- The rest of the group guesses the card based on the description.
- Rotate roles so everyone has a chance to describe and guess.
- For added fun, split into teams and turn it into a competition where points are awarded for correct guesses.
3. Maze Runners
Objective: Build teamwork and problem-solving skills.
Instructions:
- Divide participants into teams of 5.
- One team member becomes the Maze Runner and steps away while the others set up the maze.
- The team arranges a 6×6 grid of cards face up and secretly plots a path from a start card to an end card.
- The Maze Runner returns and must navigate the path using clues provided by their team.
- Clues must be under 6 words and cannot mention card colors, suits, or numbers.
- For each incorrect guess, the Maze Runner takes a “Miss.” After three Misses, the team loses.
- The first team to guide their Maze Runner successfully through the maze wins!
4. Suit It Out
Objective: Explore and apply different conflict resolution styles.
Instructions:
- Assign each suit a conflict resolution style:
- Hearts = Collaborate
- Spades = Compete
- Clubs = Compromise
- Diamonds = Avoid
- Present a conflict scenario (e.g., workplace disagreement or project deadline issue).
- Participants draw a card and must respond to the scenario using the conflict style of their suit.
- Discuss how each style influences the outcome and its applicability to real-life situations.
5. Card Feedback Loop
Objective: Provide meaningful, structured feedback.
Setup: Assign feedback themes to suits:
- Hearts = Strengths
- Spades = Challenges
- Clubs = Suggestions
- Diamonds = Opportunities
Instructions:
- Participants take turns drawing a card and giving feedback to a peer based on the suit.
- Example: Drawing a Heart prompts the participant to highlight a strength of their peer.
- Rotate focus to ensure everyone receives feedback.
- Keep feedback focused on workshop-related topics or performance in group activities.
6. Last Card Reflections
Objective: Share key takeaways and wrap up the workshop.
Instructions:
- Assign each suit a reflection prompt:
- Hearts = Personal Growth
- Spades = Challenges Overcome
- Clubs = Strengths Discovered
- Diamonds = New Skills Learned
- Each participant draws a card and shares a takeaway related to the suit.
- Encourage free interpretation for a more personal reflection.
- Continue until all participants have shared.
- Conclude with a summary of common insights to close the session.