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Apples to Apples

May the best word association win

PLAYERS

Minimum:

4

Maximum:

8

Ideal:

6

EXPERIENCE

Duration:

Medium

Physical:

Yes

Virtual:

No

CLASSIFICATION

Genre:

Party

Dynamic 1:

Dynamic 2:

Interpersonal / Social

Adaptability

COMPLEXITY

To Play:

Simple

To Setup:

Simple

To Custom:

Intermediate

MATRIX

Instinct:

Feel

Intent:

What

BONDING

Materials

VIRTUAL SETUP

+ green apple cards (adjectives)

+ red apple cards (nouns)


You can buy the physical copy here.

Physical Setup

First, shuffle the two decks separately, then place the green deck in the center of play.

Next, deal each player 5 red cards and place that deck in the middle of play.

Finally, determine who will be the first judge for the first round.

Virtual Setup

There isn't a simple way to play this game online, but it's possible to recreate the pieces using a tool like Miro or give everyone access to their own red deck to draw from. If there's a non-playing facilitator, they can collect cards and preserve the anonymity of the red cards.

Gameplay

Round 1: The judge flips a green card to reveal the adjective. Players play 1 red card from their hand (face down) in front of the judge. The goal is to choose something that would resonate with them. When all cards are in, the judge reads them aloud and selects the best entry. The player who played it collects the green card as a way of keeping score.

Round 2+: The judge rotates clockwise, and the same process is used. 

Endgame: When a player has collected 3 green cards, they are the winner.

Variations

Related Games: Cards Against Humanity or Dixit.

Knockout: Instead of playing to 3 green cards, eliminate players for the worst answer. Last man standing wins.

Pulse Check

Q. Does everyone seem open to keep playing? Are the disengaged able to be more engaged?

Q. Are people having fun — smiling, laughing, in deep thought?

Q. Do you hear productive strategizing about how to improve round-to-round?

BUILDING

Feel

Position the reflection around sensory and emotional responses to certain options or ideas:


  • Were you satisfied with the level of engagement from your team members?

  • What made you feel respected and valued during the game?

  • When did the game have the most energy? The most tension?

What

Position the reflection around goals and metrics, as well as the skills and roles to succeed:


  • What is one thing about you that would help your team members work with you better?

  • Did this game give you ideas about how to better advocate for yourself?

  • What strengths and talents did you witness, and how could the team better leverage them?

DEVELOPMENT

Please reach out to us for support around positioning this game for deeper learning programs and longer engagements. We often find that lighter game sessions can help set up team assessments and heavier reflections that lead to growth.

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