Using Game Shows for Brainstorming

The conventional way to play game shows in a training session is in a fast-paced, question-and-answer format. This is a great way to review material already covered, but game shows can also be used in a less traditional way: for brainstorming. Sometimes you want trainees to build on each other’s answers, think about questions, and come up with innovative ideas—and you can do this within the format of a game show.

Most game shows will need to have rule modifications in order to be good vehicles for brainstorming. Not all game shows are suitable for brainstorming even with modifications. We’ve found the following three game shows to be most amenable to a brainstorming format:

Family Feud:
Instead of going down a line of contestants and having each one give an individual answer, show the question to each team and allow them to brainstorm. Have them record and rank their possible answer options. An answering team reads through their communal list. If they can uncover all the answers before getting three strikes, they win the round; if not the other team can steal with one of their highest-ranked answers. After the round is over, ask teams to reveal their other brainstormed answers and discuss.

Tic-Tac-Toe:
Utilize one central question (or a few main questions) for every square instead of having a different question for each square. Allow teams to collaborate on an answer for a specified amount of time. Take turns picking a square, then revealing a brainstormed answer.


Who Wants to be a Millionaire?:
There are two ways to make this game into a brainstorming session. Option number one: both teams can brainstorm answers, and the team with the most options or the most relevant answers gets to move up the ladder. Option number two: require a certain number of answers for a question or topic. If the team achieves that number of reasonable answers, they reach the next rung of the ladder.

Questions for Brainstorming
Use open-ended questions for brainstorming as opposed to multiple choice or even short answer. An example of an open-ended brainstorming question could be, “What makes a good staff leader?”

It can be difficult to assign right or wrong answers to a brainstorming question, making scoring more complex. You can assign a suggested correct answer with a few words of encouragement; and then award points based on the number of relevant answers, or the thoroughness and effort put into answering a question. Points can also be awarded only to the team who comes up with the most answer options or has the most complete answers.