Games featured here have been used by drama practitioners, educators, and artists in various formats for many years. If we have sourced a game from a specific website, it is credited at the end of the game description.
Most of these games can be adapted up or down with the right supports (e.g., supporting scripts or sentence stems for younger students). Use your professional judgment about whether these games are right for your group.
Most French translations and language supports were generously provided by Adriana Alfano, OCT.
For further information about teaching Improvisation, check out the following resources:
- Improvisation Fundamentals / Les fondamentaux de l'improvisation (CODE Resource)
- Improvisation - Demonstration Classroom Video (CODE Senior Resource)
- Make it Real ... Improvising in Role (CODE Intermediate Resource)
- Improvisation Focus Course Profile (CODE Senior Resource)
- Canadian Improv Games Lesson Plans
Game Name
Skill Focus
Recommended Panel
Yes Let's! / Oui, allons-y !
Sending and Accepting Offers, Mime, Generating Ideas, Establishing Setting & Roles
Any
Five Things / Cinq choses !
Sending & Accepting Offers, Generating Ideas
Any
I have... you have... / J'ai ... tu as ...
Sending & Accepting Offers, Mime, Language Structures
Primary/Junior
Happy Birthday / Bonne fête
Sending & Accepting Offers, Mime
Any
Problems & Objects / Des problèmes et des objets
Sending & Accepting Offers, Problem-solving, Making connections
Any
What are you doing? I see what you're doing! / Qu'est-ce que tu fais ? Je vois ce que tu fais
Sending & Accepting Offers, Generating Ideas, Mime
Any
What are you doing in my garden ? / Que fais-tu dans mon jardin ?
Sending & Accepting Offers, Generating Ideas, Concentration
Primary/Junior
I am a Tree / Je suis un arbre
Sending & Accepting Offers, Generating Ideas, Establishing Setting
Any
The Advertising Game / Le jeu de la publicité
Sending & Accepting Offers, Generating Ideas, Collaboration
Any
Eyewitness Gibberish (Foreign Film)
Sending & Accepting Offers, Miming, Generating Ideas, Collaboration, Problem-Solving
Intermediate/Senior
Park Bench
Problem-Solving, Achieving an Objective, Developing Role
Intermediate/Senior
Three-Headed Expert
Sending & Accepting Offers, Active Listening, Collaboration
Intermediate/Senior
Mad, Sad, Glad
Blocking, Stage Direction, Levels, Concentration, Risk-Taking
Senior
Send & Accept
Eye Contact, Collaboration, Group Mind, Concentration
Any
The Gift
Sending & Accepting Offers, Miming, Raising the Stakes
Junior/Intermediate