NEVER HAVE I EVER

Purpose

This simple protocol builds rapport and strengthens relationships through participant responses to fun questions.

Materials

Never Have I Ever Statements

Timeframe

15-30 Minutes

Preparation

- This protocol works best in an open space where participants can form a circle.

Large groups can be broken into several smaller circle groups. If breaking into smaller groups, be sure the smaller groups are a good mix of the participants (naturally occurring groups should be broken up so participants can build relationships with others they may not know as well).

This protocol can be done standing or sitting. Creating a circle with chairs will add a few minutes to the time.

Facilitator(s) can do one of three options:

Read the Never Have I Ever Statements for the group as they participate OR

Participants can select a Never Have I Ever Statement from a visible list (presentation slide) OR

Participants can come up with their own statements.

Never Have I Ever Statements, “Never have I ever…..”:

Dyed my hair
Baked a cake from scratch
Fallen down in public
Broken a bone
Had braces
Built something out of wood
Been to Disneyland
Eaten a Krispy Kreme donut
Screamed during a scary movie
Been to a professional sporting event
Slept till noon
Opened Christmas presents early
Played Scrabble
Rolled down a hill
Toilet papered someone’s house
Laughed so hard I cried
Burned myself with a curling iron
Gotten seasick
Eaten food that fell on the floor
Shared a sucker with my dog
Been in an accident
Had chickenpox
Shopped at Home Depot
Spied on my neighbors
Plucked my eyebrows
Ridden in a limo
Had a pet fish
Lied about my age
Bought something at a yard sale
Been ice skating
Hid on Halloween because I had no candy for trick-or-treaters
Been in the hospital
Made a prank call
Been sick on my birthday
Gotten a tattoo
Had food come out my nose

Had a massage
Locked my keys in the car
Ridden a horse
Been lost
Been to Europe
Built a fire
Been skydiving
Played golf
Had a manicure
Made mashed potatoes from scratch

Been to the circus
Made all A’s in school
Eaten a bug

Note: Never Have I Ever Statements can also be created to focus on one specific area or topic the group might be addressing.

Instructions

Step 1:

Introduce and Begin the Activity (15-20 minutes) Facilitator should have participants create the circle(s) first, then share the following information with them:

Participants will hold up ten fingers as the game begins.
One person will begin by making a Never Have I Ever Statement. Participants can choose one from the statement list or create their own, or the facilitator can read the statement to the group.
Anyone in the circle who has done the activity mentioned in the Never Have I Ever statement puts one finger down.
Participants are eliminated once they have put down all their fingers.
The “winner” is the last remaining participant with a finger raised.

Note: For a shorter timeframe, reduce the number of fingers to five.

Step 2:

Whole Group Debrief (5 minutes)

Pose the following questions to all participants and select volunteers to reply.
- What thoughts and feelings were going through your mind as you participated in this protocol?
- What surprised you?
- What lessons can we take away from this protocol?

Resources & Further Reading

Examples of Use

This protocol can serve as a Conocimiento activity or be used as a fun break activity during a meeting or session.