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Desert Island

Participants share the three essential items they'd bring to a deserted island.

3+ Players
Hybrid
Low Energy

How to Play

  1. 1Ask the group: 'If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you bring and why?'
  2. 2Go around the circle and have each person share their three items.
  3. 3Encourage follow-up questions to understand the reasoning behind their choices.

Facilitator Guide

Opening Script:

"Imagine you're stranded on a deserted island. You can bring three items with you - anything you want! Take a minute to think about what you'd bring and why. Consider what would be most important for survival, comfort, or entertainment."

Closing Script:

"Thank you for sharing! It's fascinating how our choices reflect our values and priorities. Some of us prioritized survival, others comfort, and some chose items with emotional significance."

Why This Works

The make-believe setup lowers pressure and gets people talking about what they value. It’s open enough to show personality but focused enough to stay on track, and it naturally sparks follow‑up questions.

Best For

  • Getting to know someone's values and priorities
  • Teams that have met before but want to go deeper
  • Virtual and in-person settings
  • Groups of any size (use breakout rooms for large groups)

Important Notes

  • Some people may overthink the 'rules' - clarify whether magical/unrealistic items are allowed
  • Be prepared for creative interpretations (e.g., 'a boat' or 'a satellite phone')
  • Keep discussions moving if someone goes too deep into survival logistics