We are used to thinking of good conversation as the glue that holds friendships together, but we shouldn't forget the immense value of playing games, with some of the same spirit of fun and adventure that we once deployed when we were children.

Here is a pack of forty activities to draw us away from static conversation. Among other things, we will build a fort together, dance in surprising ways, deliver funeral orations, practise our acting skills, and play some entertaining (but kindly) pranks. The games are an invitation to cast aside reserve and get in touch with neglected imaginative aspects of ourselves. They are a reminder that friendship doesn't only require talking; it thrives just as much on the lighthearted but significant business of playing together.

Examples

Inanimate Impressions

Imitation, as Aristotle knew, is an activity humans find pleasurable and meaningful. This perhaps explains our delight in impressions. Ordinarily, we impersonate living creatures - friends, celebrities or animals. But this game takes a slightly different approach. Each guest should attempt to impersonate an inanimate object - a grandfather clock, or a dot-matrix printer, or a blender - using sounds and gestures. At the end, the group as a whole should elect a winner who has most uncannily captured the likeness of the object.

40 activities to draw us away from static conversation and cast aside reserve to get in touch with the neglected imaginative aspects of ourselves.

About the Author

The School of Life is a global organisation helping people lead more fulfilled lives. Through our range of books, gifts and stationery, we aim to prompt more thoughtful natures and help everyone to find fulfilment.

The School of Life is a resource for exploring self-knowledge, relationships, work, socialising, finding calm and enjoying culture through content, community and conversation. You can find us online, in stores and in welcoming spaces around the world, offering classes, events and one-to-one therapy sessions.

The School of Life is a rapidly growing global brand, with over 7 million YouTube subscribers, 389,000 Facebook followers, 239,000 Instagram followers and 163,000 Twitter followers.

The School of Life Press brings together the thinking and ideas of the School of Life creative team under the direction of series editor, Alain de Botton.

Book Information
ISBN 9781915087683
Author The School of Life
Page Count 40
Imprint The School of Life Press
Publisher The School of Life Press
Dimensions(mm) 134mm * 96mm * 23mm