Game: The Dot Game

Supplies

• Colored-dot stickers (enough for 5 per participant)

• Sheets of paper (one per person)

• Scissors

• A hat or bowl (optional for variation)

• Pens (optional, if you want to write names or track stickers)

Game Overview

In The Dot Game, teenagers engage in fun, intentional conversations as they try to “catch” others saying a specific word—earning colored-dot stickers in the process. It’s a creative way to learn about each other while sharpening their listening skills.

Set Up

1. Cut colored-dot stickers into strips of five.

2. Give each player:

   • One strip of five dots

   • One blank sheet of paper to collect any new dots they earn

3. (Optional) Prepare slips of paper with different catchwords (e.g., “like,” “because,” “honestly”) for the variation, and place them in a hat.

Game Play

1. One person begins by asking another player a personal question (e.g., “What’s your favorite movie?”).

2. If the responder uses the catchword (e.g., “because”) during their answer, the questioner earns one of their stickers.

3. The questioner places the earned sticker on their own paper.

4. Players who run out of original dots can continue playing using the ones they’ve won from others.

5. If a player loses all their dots and can’t win any back, they are out of the game.

Rules

• Players may only ask one question per turn.

• You can only “catch” someone if they say the designated catchword.

• You must be honest about what was said—group can help monitor.

• No repeating questions to try and trap someone.

• Players may not warn others about the catchword.

Bonus Tips

• Change the Catchword each round to keep things fresh.

• Use themed questions (e.g., personal stories, family, church, favorite food).

• Have a small prize for the player with the most dots at the end.

• For smaller groups, try using multiple catchwords for more chaos and fun.

• Use this as a lead-in for a teaching moment on “taming the tongue,” listening, or “controlling our words”