How to play

Add the players. The phone is passed round so each person sees their own secret word in private. Then the phone shows an opening line and the group builds the story out loud, one or two sentences each, going round the circle twice. When it’s your turn, carry the story forward and sneak your secret word in as naturally as you can. Try not to make your word stand out, and listen for the others’ words.

At the end of the story the phone asks who had which word. Everyone says which words they noticed and who they think said them, then you reveal each player’s word one at a time. There is no scoring, so keep a tally of correct guesses if you like.

Tips

Say your word early if you are worried about forgetting it, or hide it inside a longer sentence. Steer the story so strange words make sense: a “trampoline” can turn up in a circus, a garden or a dream. Keep sentences short so everyone gets a turn. The story is not saved; you can write down the best bits if you want to keep them.

Can we play on a video call? Yes: pick Play online and everyone joins the same room on their own phone. Online, you match the words to the players in secret and score a point for each one you get right.

Does it need the internet? Only to load the page. Is it for kids? The words and openers are all family-friendly, and the stories are as silly or as serious as your group makes them.