My Story Mystery Game

The My Story Mystery Game is a fun way for Scouts to share something about themselves while building group connection. It works well as an icebreaker at the start of a campout, patrol meeting, or troop gathering. Younger Scouts often enjoy the guessing part, and older Scouts appreciate the storytelling.

This activity gives Scouts a chance to speak in front of a group in a relaxed and low-pressure setting. That can help build confidence and communication skills. It also helps Scouts learn more about each other. It works well in both small and large groups.

The game is a great lead-in to activities about storytelling or history. It can be used to introduce the idea of oral history for a merit badge or advancement requirement. It also supports communication goals in rank advancement or leadership training.

Scouts BSA and Venturing crews can get the most out of this game by repeating it a few times. Each round helps the group get better at listening, thinking, and observing. The game works best when everyone gets a chance to take a turn in front of the group.

The My Story Mystery Game is based on a simple idea: people tell stories, and others try to guess who the story belongs to. This idea has been around for a long time. In many cultures, storytelling has been used to teach, entertain, and share experiences. Stories passed down through families or communities help keep memories alive. This game takes that tradition and turns it into a group activity for Scouts.

You might see a similar activity in schools, team-building programs, or classrooms. It’s often used to help people learn about each other. The guessing part adds some fun and helps the group stay engaged. The game works especially well in Scouting settings where youth may not know each other well yet. It gives them a chance to share something real without too much pressure.

The idea of storytelling connects with Scouting values. Scouts learn to speak clearly, listen well, and treat others with respect. This game supports those skills in a relaxed way. It also gives youth a way to practice public speaking without having to stand alone and give a speech. Everyone in the group is part of the process.

You can also tie this game to badge work. For example, Scouts working on the Communication merit badge or the Scouting Heritage merit badge could reflect on how stories shape understanding. Webelos and Arrow of Light Scouts can use this game when working on the Building a Better World or Scouting Adventure requirements. It helps build trust and encourages deeper conversations.

Even younger Cub Scouts enjoy this game. You might need to help them write their stories or guide them through the guessing part. But the basic idea stays the same. Everyone tells a story. Everyone listens. And everyone gets a chance to be known.

The My Story Mystery Game helps Scouts build important skills while having fun. It teaches them to listen carefully and think about what others say. They also learn how to speak clearly and tell a story in their own voice. These are good skills to have in school, in Scouting, and in life.

This game also supports parts of the Scout Law. Scouts learn to be trustworthy when they write true stories from their lives. They are friendly when they listen respectfully to others and guess kindly. It also helps them be brave. Telling a personal story in front of others takes courage, especially for shy Scouts.

You can use this game with many different age groups. It works best for Scouts in about 4th grade and older. Webelos and Arrow of Light Scouts can do it with a little help. Scouts BSA and Venturers can do it on their own. You might want to give younger Scouts sentence starters or help them come up with ideas.

For older Scouts, you can add extra steps. They can practice writing their story ahead of time and work on using voice and gestures to tell it better. This can be a fun part of a meeting focused on public speaking or leadership.

If your group has already played once, try changing it up. Let the group vote on the most surprising story or the funniest one. You can also let patrols or dens work together to guess, instead of individuals. This builds teamwork while keeping the game moving.

Equipment and Materials:

• Small slips of paper or index cards (one per Scout)
• Pencils or pens (one per Scout)
• A container or hat to hold the stories

Setup Instructions:

1. Give each Scout a pencil and a piece of paper or card.
2. Ask each Scout to write a short true story about something that happened to them.
3. Remind them not to include their name in the story.
4. Ask them to write their name on the back so the leader knows who wrote it.
5. Collect all the stories in a container and mix them well.

Game Play Instructions:

1. The leader picks three stories from the container at random.
2. The Scouts who wrote those stories come to the front of the group.
3. The leader reads all three stories aloud to the group.
4. Each of the three Scouts tells two more short stories about themselves (not too long).
5. The group listens and then tries to guess which Scout wrote which of the original stories.
6. After guesses are made, the Scouts reveal which story was theirs.
7. Repeat the game until everyone has had a turn in front of the group.

Notes and Variations:

• For younger Scouts, you can help them write or tell their stories.
• Keep the stories short so the game keeps moving.
• Let patrols or dens guess as a group to build teamwork.
• Make sure the group stays respectful. No teasing or laughing at stories.
• If someone feels nervous, let them skip or join later when they feel ready.

This game works best in a relaxed setting. Encourage Scouts to listen carefully and be kind. It’s about learning, sharing, and having fun together.

Printable instructions for How to Run the My Story Mystery Game

More Games

The My Story Mystery Game is just one of many fun activities you can use with your Scouts. Games like this help build teamwork, listening skills, and confidence. If you’re looking for more easy-to-run games for meetings, campouts, or rainy days, I’ve put together a collection that works well with different age groups and settings.

You can find more ideas on the Games for Scouts page. These games work for Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, and even Venturers. Some are active, some are quiet, and many work indoors or outside. Visit my games page to explore more fun options for your next meeting or event.

The Importance of Games in Scouting

What age group is this game best for?

This game works best for Webelos, Arrow of Light, Scouts BSA, and Venturers. Younger Cub Scouts might need help writing or telling their stories.

Do the stories have to be true?

Yes, the stories should be real. Each Scout writes a short story about something that actually happened to them.

Can Scouts tell someone else’s story?

No. Each Scout should only share their own story. The group is trying to guess who the story belongs to.

What if a Scout is shy about going to the front?

That’s okay. You can let them wait until they feel ready. Never force a Scout to speak in front of the group.

Can we play this game more than once?

Yes. It works well when played several times. The more the group plays, the better they get at listening and guessing.

How long should each story be?

Just a few sentences is fine. Keep it short so everyone gets a turn and the game keeps moving.

The My Story Mystery Game helps Scouts share something about themselves while having fun as a group. Each Scout writes a short, true story about something that happened to them. The stories are collected, mixed up, and read aloud. Then, a small group of Scouts tries to convince the others that the story is theirs—even if it isn’t!

This guessing game works well as an icebreaker or a way to build friendships in a new group. Scouts listen closely and practice telling short stories. It helps them think about what makes a good story and how to tell it clearly. The audience works together to figure out who the story belongs to.

The game supports several parts of the Scout Law, including being trustworthy, friendly, and brave. It also helps with public speaking and team-building. It can be used during meetings, at campouts, or for advancement work. Scouts of all ages can join in with a few small changes.

The best part? The game is easy to run and doesn’t need any special materials. Just some paper, pencils, and a container for collecting stories. It’s a fun way to learn more about each other and practice communication skills without a lot of pressure.