Categories

[15 Minutes]

This game will really make you think! The object of this game is to think of the greatest number of items belonging to a chosen category in fifteen minutes.

You'll need:

• pencil and paper

What to do:

1. If possible, print out these directions. Read them through before you begin.
2. Gather everything you'll need.
3. Decide on a list of ten categories.
4. Each player writes the names of all categories at the top of her paper.

How to play:

1. Player 1 chooses a letter of the alphabet at random.
2. The players are given ten minutes to write down as many words as possible that start with the chosen letter and correspond to each of the categories. For example:

   If the letter N is chosen and one of the categories happens to States, correct answers would include:
   Nebraska
   Nevada
   New Hampshire
   New Jersey
   New York
   North Carolina
   North Dakota

3. At the end of the time limit, players should trade lists for scoring. All the answers are read aloud.
4. For each correct answer a player receives 1 point. An answer that the other player did not think of receives 2 points.
5. Player 2 chooses a different letter for round two and you can either keep or change the categories.

Useful information:

This is a game we play when we are riding in a car, waiting for something, or sometimes we play on a summer's night outside on the deck. It really makes you think. (Mark, age 14)