đ Excuses, Excuses!
"Why didn't you do your homework?" You have ten seconds to come up with the most outrageous excuse you can, delivered with total confidence. Then the group decides if it works. It is quick-thinking improv that makes everyone laugh.
What you need
Equipment: Nothing. Use the printable situations, or prepare about 20 of your own ("Why didn't you do your homework?", "Why were you late to the wedding?"). Sit in a circle.
How to play Excuses, Excuses!
- Read a situation to the first player and immediately start counting down: 10, 9, 8...
- The player has just 10 seconds to invent an excuse, the more outrageous the better.
- Answer in a full sentence with total confidence. Confidence is half the excuse.
- No saying "I don't know" and no reusing an excuse already given.
- After the excuse, the group votes at once: thumbs up, the excuse works; thumbs down, you're busted.
- Count the votes and announce the result.
- Pressure round: ask a follow-up question ("And where is that dog now?") and the player must keep the story going.
- Move to the next player with a new situation.
Scoring and wrapping up
Scoring: Excuse passed the majority vote: 1 point. Made the whole group laugh: 2 points. Survived the follow-up question too: 3 points.
To finish: Play until everyone has had 3 turns, then add up the points and crown the Excuse Champion.
By age
- Ages 7-9: school situations, no voting, everyone gets applause.
- Ages 10-12: "Yes, and" mode, where each excuse must build on the one before.
- Ages 13 and up: harder situations and a cross-examination round from the group.
Variations
- Big group: play in pairs. One invents the excuse and the other must back it up as a witness, while the group hunts for contradictions.
- Capy twist: once a round, shout "Capy!" and the group throws in a random word that the player must work into the excuse mid-sentence.
Tips for the adult in charge
- Do not let thinking time drag on. The 10-second pressure is the fun, so count loudly.
- Celebrate wild excuses. The more impossible, the better.
đ¨ī¸ Printable excuse situations
Read one card to the player whose turn it is, then start the 10-second countdown.
- Why didn't you do your homework?
- Why were you late for school?
- Why is your room such a mess?
- Why is there a cake missing a slice?
- Why are you wearing two different shoes?
- Why didn't you call your grandma back?
- Why is the dog wearing your hat?
- Why were you late to the wedding?
- Why is there glitter all over the kitchen?
- Why did you forget your lunch box again?
- Why is your library book three weeks late?
- Why did you miss the school bus?
- Why is there a frog in the bathtub?
- Why didn't you feed the fish?
- Why is the TV remote in the fridge?
- Why are your clothes covered in mud?
- Why did you eat the last cookie?
- Why is your sister's doll on the roof?
- Why didn't you practice the piano?
- Why are you still in your pajamas at noon?
Questions and answers
What is a good improv game for shy kids?
Excuses, Excuses! is short and silly, and every answer is meant to be ridiculous, so there is no way to get it wrong. Start shy kids with the no-vote version.
How does this game help kids?
It builds quick thinking, confident speaking and storytelling, and it teaches kids to keep going under a little friendly pressure.