💬 Finish the Sentence
You get the start of a sentence, and everyone finishes it their own way. The laughs come from how different the endings are. It works as an icebreaker, a word game or a calm circle-time activity.
What you need
Equipment: Nothing (paper and pens optional). Use the printable sentence starters or write about 20 of your own, like "The weirdest thing I ever did was...". Sit in a circle.
How to play Finish the Sentence
- Read a sentence starter out loud.
- The player whose turn it is finishes the sentence out loud within 15 seconds.
- You must say something: no skipping and no repeating an answer already given.
- After the answer, the group reacts with applause if it was surprising or funny.
- Ask one follow-up question: "Why that?"
- Move to the next player with a new starter.
- Group round: everyone finishes the same sentence, then compare answers.
- Speed round to finish: just 5 seconds per answer.
Scoring and wrapping up
Scoring: Answered in time: 1 point. An answer nobody else thought of: 2 points. An answer the group applauded: 2 points.
To finish: After 2-3 rounds, add up the points. Finish by choosing the best answer of the day and writing it on the board.
By age
- Ages 8-10: answers out loud, no writing.
- Ages 11-14: write answers on slips and read them out anonymously.
- Teens and adults: add a second round where you must explain your answer.
Variations
- Big group: split into groups of 4-5. Each group votes on its best answers, then reads the winners to everyone.
- Capy twist: every few rounds, call a "Capy round" where you must finish the sentence with a total fib, and the group guesses who made it up.
Tips for the adult in charge
- Give a few seconds of thinking time per starter. A little pressure produces the best answers.
- Answer the first starter yourself to set a playful tone.
🖨️ Printable sentence starters
Cut out the cards and draw one per turn.
- If I had a superpower, it would be...
- The weirdest thing I ever ate was...
- My dream pet would be...
- If I ran the school for a day, I would...
- The best smell in the world is...
- If animals could talk, the rudest one would be...
- I would never want to be stuck in an elevator with...
- My secret talent is...
- If I could invent a new holiday, it would be called...
- The worst flavor of ice cream would be...
- If my shoes could talk, they would say...
- The best thing about rainy days is...
- If I lived in a castle, the first thing I would do is...
- Something that always makes me laugh is...
- If I were a teacher, my first rule would be...
- If I found a dragon egg, I would...
- The most useless invention ever is...
- If I could swap places with an animal for a day, I would pick...
- The funniest thing my family does is...
- If I had a robot, I would make it...
- When I grow up, I definitely won't...
- The best sandwich in the world has...
- If my bedroom had a secret door, it would lead to...
- If I could only eat one food forever, it would be...
Questions and answers
What are good sentence starters for kids?
Open, playful ones such as "If I had a superpower...", "The best smell in the world is..." or "My dream pet would be...". They have no wrong answers and invite imagination.
How can I use Finish the Sentence in class?
As a warm-up or a getting-to-know-you activity. Written answers read anonymously work well for shy groups.