Fun Games for 1, 2 or 3 People
Looking for a bunch of simple, fun and interactive games for one, two or three people?
Are you a teacher or corporate trainer who engages occasionally with very small groups via a virtual platform?
Look no further, playmeo’s got you covered.
This post was first published when COVID-19 became a thing. playmeo was inundated with enquiries from group leaders worldwide looking for fun, interactive games for very small groups (often only one or two people) AND which could be played online.
Now, while the pandemic is pretty much behind us, there will always be a need to present group games & activities to (a) very small groups, and/or (b) online. Hence, this list will always be relevant.
Thankfully, there are dozens of fun and very simple activity ideas you can use with small groups.
If you continue to work via online platforms, then check out this post about my top four interactive games for online meetings & virtual conferences.
List of Fun Games Ideal for 1 Person
Click the links below to scroll directly to the activity.
List of Interactive Games Ideal for 2 or 3 People
Click the links below to scroll directly to the activity.
Fun Games for 1 Person
A quick search via playmeo’s online activity database shows that there are at least 33 activities suitable for individuals – enough to keep you going for days.
To get started, browse the four activities featured below. There are descriptions for each below the illustrations.
You may also wish to explore a couple of fun team puzzles that can easily be adapted for use by individuals. Take a look at Alphabet Equations, Acronyms and Connectiles to whet your appetite.
Tea Cup Stretch
A very simple stretch that’s as challenging as it is fun to watch. Ask everyone to grab a soft object that has a bit of weight to it, eg tennis ball, beanie-baby toy, fleece-ball, etc. Stand back a little from your screen.
Then, as if holding a teacup on your outstretched, upwards-facing palm, your object is to move it in a full circle over your head and to the side of your body and back to where you started.
Check the video at right (or above) to view a great demonstration. Indeed, you could even embed this video into your online space to inspire your group. Lots of variations, eg non-dominant hand, different direction, new objects, etc.
Paper Golf
Ask your people to grab a sheet of paper, a pen and watch you as you demonstrate what you would like them to do. In short, you are going to draw the birds-eye view of a small golf course with 3 or 4 holes. Draw the clubhouse, the tees, fairways, bunkers, sand-traps and the holes. Creating the course is fun, but playing is even more so. Direct your group to watch as you perform a quick demonstration to explain how the golf course can be played.
In essence, you are going to rest the pen tip on the first tee, holding it vertically, and then gently push the pen across the paper towards the first hole. The pen will leave a trail of ink, which eventually peters out. That’s your first stroke, and the second stroke starts from the end of the line. A hole is complete when the end of a particular stroke ends inside the golf hole (they are usually about 5mm (1/4″) wide.
Prediction
Grab a deck of regular playing cards. Shuffle them and then lay them face down on the surface in front of you.
Your aim is to see how far you can get through the deck before a particular event occurs. Before the (face value of the) first card is revealed, you must declare what the card will NOT be.
For example, if I say that the card I flip over will not be a 9, and I flip over a 5, I get to flip another card.
As soon as you flip over a card whose face value matches what I declared, the game is over. Count and record the number of cards you did not predict, and play one or more rounds to achieve a world record.
Paper Tower
Grab a fixed number of sheets of paper. In a team context, I would typically supply 15 to 20 sheets per group, but this number works well for individuals, too.
The challenge is to build the tallest possible tower using only these sheets of paper. No staples, glue or any other form of adhesive can be used to achieve the desired lofty heights.
Allow up to 10 minutes to complete this task.
A quick tip – the structure must be standing at the Xth minute to qualify. You will have to rely on the honour system when you invite each person to measure their structures.
"I love playmeo! I wish this site was around when I first started facilitating."
"My groups think I’m amazing at fun activities - it's because playmeo is behind everything I do!"
"playmeo is one of the top 3 resources that helped grow my career. I'll be a subscriber for life."
"Many icebreakers fall short, but playmeo's are super-reliable - it's my go-to activity spot."
"playmeo delivers constant WOW moments every time I find a new game."
"Since discovering playmeo, my facilitation has improved ten fold. It's that simple."
"It’s really exciting to be able to share something that I know actually works & promotes engagement & positive learning."
Fun Interactive Games for 2 or 3 People
Honestly, this list could be very long, as there is no shortage of fun partner activities in playmeo’s online activity database.
In fact, a quick search revealed there are 142+ activities that are suitable for small groups of 2 or 3 people. Here are four of my favourites.
Thumb Wrestling in Stereo
A great partner exercise that most people have played, but possibly not in the way this fun variation is introduced.
The reference to “stereo” means two hands at the same time. This game for 2 (or 3) people never fails to trigger bursts of laughter from my groups.
Click the play button (at right or above) to see this fun partner game in action.
Your Add
I learned this exercise from a class of 2nd Grade students in 1990 and I’ve been using it ever since. All you need are pairs (groups of 2 people!) and a modicum of mathematical ability, and you’re set to go. In essence, each person is challenged to tally the total number of outstretched fingers on all hands and be the first to call out the correct number.
Best of five rounds wins. It couldn’t be simpler, and then you’re ready to take on one or more fun variations (click the link to learn more.)
Wiggle Waggle
I’ve immersed thousands of people seated in a conference auditorium with this dexterous hand stunt, and it works every time because it relies on individuals trying to meet the challenge. Which means, it is perfect for one person or two or three.
You’ll want your group to have practised as individuals for a while before launching into the two and three-person variation. You need nothing more than your hands and fingers at the ready.
Collaborative Drawing
This exercise will focus your group’s attention on creativity as it will team skills and collaboration.
Distribute a sheet of paper and pens for each pair or trio, and then invite them to draw one picture one stroke at a time, collaboratively.
It often starts off quite clumsily until someone gets an idea, and then their partners start to catch on.
BONUS: Fun Energisers for 1, 2 or 3 People
If you’re looking for a variety of easy 1-minute energisers (brain-boosters) take a look at these activity ideas that may also help you highlight or reinforce certain elements of your curriculum, such as creativity, critical thinking and communication.
To save space here, simply click the links below to be directed to the relevant activity detail page where you can access the FREE step-by-step instructions.
"I always get compliments on the connection activities I use from playmeo."
"playmeo is THE most creative & complete activity website - it's absolutely amazing."
"I was absolutely blown away at just the sheer volume of different tools inside playmeo to help me find what I was looking for."
"I use playmeo whenever I have groups of adults or children that I want to work together."
"playmeo has EVERYTHING in one simple 'go-to' place - instructions, videos, downloads - amazing."
"Unbelievable access at your fingertips with videos to boot! Priceless."
"It blows my mind how generous you are. Becoming a playmeo subscriber was the best choice I have ever made online."
Add 100s More to Your Activity Repertoire
If you like what you see here and want more, click the button below to unlock our entire online activity database.
In less than 2 minutes, you’ll be browsing 550+ fun group games & activities, including 100s of icebreakers, energisers, trust-building games and team-building activities ideally suited to your program needs.
Comments (0)
expand_circle_down