Here are seven communication games that can be used in training workshops to enhance participants’ communication skills:
Telephone Pictionary:
- Divide participants into groups of 5-7.
- Each person starts with a blank sheet of paper and writes down a random phrase or sentence related to the workshop’s theme.
- Participants pass their papers clockwise, and the next person must draw a representation of the phrase without using any words.
- The papers continue circulating until everyone has had a chance to draw and interpret each phrase.
- Finally, each group shares their initial phrase and the final drawing, revealing the communication challenges and how the messages evolved.
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Three-Minute Debate:
- Choose a debatable topic related to the workshop’s subject matter.
- Divide participants into pairs and assign them opposing viewpoints.
- Each pair has three minutes to debate their position, aiming to communicate their points effectively within the time limit.
- After the debates, discuss communication strategies that were persuasive and respectful.
Active Listening Circle:
- Arrange participants in a circle and designate one person as the speaker.
- The speaker shares a personal story or experience related to the workshop’s theme.
- After the speaker finishes, the person sitting next to them summarizes the main points of the story.
- The speaker confirms if the summary is accurate, and then the next person in the circle shares their own story.
- This continues until everyone has had a turn as both a speaker and a summarizer, emphasizing active listening and effective communication.
Role Play Scenarios:
- Prepare various communication scenarios relevant to the workshop’s topics (e.g., conflict resolution, giving feedback, handling customer complaints).
- Divide participants into pairs or small groups and assign each group a scenario to role-play.
- After the role play, encourage participants to discuss what communication strategies were effective and what could be improved.
Visual Storytelling:
- Provide participants with a set of random images related to the workshop’s subject.
- In small groups, they must collaboratively create a story using the images and present it to the rest of the participants.
- This activity encourages creativity, active listening, and effective communication to weave a coherent narrative together.
Communication Crossword Puzzle:
- Develop a crossword puzzle containing key terms and concepts related to communication skills.
- Divide participants into teams and provide each team with a copy of the puzzle and a time limit to complete it.
- Encourage teamwork and communication to solve the puzzle efficiently.
Non-Verbal Charades:
- Write down various emotions or scenarios on individual cards (e.g., angry, surprised, apologizing, negotiating).
- One participant picks a card and must convey the emotion or scenario using only non-verbal communication (facial expressions, gestures, body language).
- The rest of the group tries to guess the emotion or scenario within a time limit.
- This game helps participants improve their non-verbal communication skills and enhances their ability to interpret others’ non-verbal cues.
Remember to facilitate a debrief session after each game to discuss the communication lessons learned and how they can be applied in real-life situations. We hear this from customers that regularly use of our training courses.
With 30+ years of experience, Catherine Fitzgerald, B.A., M.A., PGDip, founded Oak Innovation in 1995. Catherine received her Bachelor’s degree and Master’s from University College Cork. She holds qualifications in Professional Development And Training from University College Galway. She is completing a second Master’s from University College Cork. Since 1995, clients include Apple, Time Warner, and Harvard University.
