I played this game on a long trip a little while ago with my three daughters. One of them can’t spell yet, so we had to change it a little bit. It kept everybody occupied, often laughing, for quite a few miles.
Number of players: 4+
Ages: Depending on skills used.
There are a number of variations for this game that can be suited to the type of players participating. The main idea of the game is that each player follows the suggestion of the player preceding him.
In the first variation, the first player spells a word. The second player must then spell a word which begins with the last letter of the word spelled by the first player. A good player can find a word with an obscure last letter.
In the second variation, the first player gives a quotation; the second player gives a quotation based on either the last word or an important word in the preceding quotation.
Another variation is to follow with poetry. Lines of poetry are used with quotations. Once on a bus trip in college, we did this with limericks. Although the limericks were a bit racy, it can be adapted for a more “G” rated audience.
Another way to play is with facts. The first player gives a fact; the next gives a fact containing the last word of the preceding statement, or beginning with an important word of it.
In each of the games, each player is allowed three “passes” when he cannot readily supply the required word or sentence. When three passes are used, the player has to drop out of the game.
Players can also pick teams or sides, and score based on the quality of the debate. It is valuable from a learning perspective because it provides skill in finding and making use of allusions.