Players: 6 or more
Time: 10 minutes
You need: Nothing
Ages: 6 and above
Type: Party games

Who it suits and when to play

The Whisper Chain suits children's parties, classrooms and family evenings, with six or more players from about six years old. The longer the line, the funnier the result. It is a calm, sitting game, useful after a noisy one, and teachers like it because it shows in two minutes how a message changes as it travels.

How to play

Players sit in a line or a circle.
The first player thinks of a sentence, or the host shows one on a chit.
The first player whispers it once to the next player. No repeating.
Each player passes on what they heard, even if it makes no sense.
The last player says the sentence aloud, and then the first player says the original.

Sentences to whisper

Seven sleepy sparrows sat silently on Seema's swing.
Papa's purple pyjamas were packed in the pickle box.
The tall tailor took ten tiny tomatoes to the temple.
Chacha's chai got cold while he chatted with the chowkidar.
Our red rooster reads the morning newspaper upside down.
Did the doctor's dog drink the dentist's dal?
Grandma's green glasses were hiding in the ghee tin.
Monday's monsoon made the monkeys miss the morning bus.

Tips and variations

Long sentences with similar sounds change the most.

Common problems and how to fix them

A player changes the message on purpose. Play one practice round and explain that the game is funnier when everyone honestly tries.
Players ask for the message to be repeated. The rule is one whisper, once. Whatever was heard is passed on.
The message is too long for small children. Use a sentence of five or six words for under-eights and a longer one for adults.

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