Here is our guide to Never Have I Ever.
We put this guide together after helping tens of thousands of remote teams have fun and build better bonds.
Playing Never Have I Ever virtually with teams involves participants taking turns stating things they have never done while others who have done those things reveal themselves. This activity encourages open communication, builds trust, and fosters a sense of camaraderie among team members as they share personal experiences in a fun and lighthearted manner.
Ideal group size:
4 to 10 players
Activity duration:
15 to 30 minutes
Cost:
Free
What you’ll need:
- Virtual meeting platform (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet)
- List of Never Have I Ever questions
How to play:
Step 1: Set Up the Virtual Meeting
First, choose a suitable virtual meeting platform such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams and schedule a meeting for your team. It is important to ensure all participants have the necessary access and login details to join the session smoothly.
Step 2: Explain the Rules of Never Have I Ever
Before the session, briefly outline the rules. Each player takes turns stating a task they have never done, and those who have done it reveal themselves by taking a sip of their drink or raising their hand. It is important to emphasize the importance of honesty and respect during gameplay.
Step 3: Establish Turn Order
Then, determine the order in which players share their “Never Have I Ever” statements. You can use a random selection method or move around the virtual room clockwise or counterclockwise.
Step 4: Start the Game
You can begin the game by having the first player make their “Never Have I Ever” statement. Participants share experiences that are interesting but not too personal or sensitive, ensuring a comfortable atmosphere for all players.
Step 5: Encourage Interaction and Discussion
After each statement, allow time for players to react, ask questions, or share related anecdotes. This step encourages interaction and allows team members to learn more about each other in a relaxed setting.
Step 6: Maintain a Positive Atmosphere
Be sure to foster an inclusive and nonjudgmental environment throughout the game to ensure each individual feels comfortable participating. It is important to remind players to be respectful and considerate of others’ experiences and boundaries.
Step 7: Wrap Up the Game
After a predetermined number of rounds or time limit, conclude the game. Further, take a moment to thank participants for their participation and encourage them to continue connecting and bonding outside of the game.
(Optional) Examples of games or activities:
1. Movie Edition
In this version of Never Have I Ever, players share experiences related to movies they have or have not seen or actions they have taken while watching movies.
- Decide the order in which players will take turns sharing their “Never Have I Ever” statements, either randomly or through a predetermined order.
- Each player takes turns stating a movie-related “Never Have I Ever” statement, such as “Never have I ever fallen asleep during a movie in the theater.”
- Players who have done the action described in the statement reveal themselves by taking a sip of their drink or raising their hands.
- After each statement, allow time for players to discuss their experiences watching movies and share their favorite films or memorable moments.
- Conclude the game after a set number of rounds or when the team has had a chance to share multiple statements. Consider discussing movie recommendations or planning a virtual movie night with the team.
Additional Tip: Encourage players to get creative with their statements to make the game more engaging and entertaining.
2. Travel Edition
This version of Never Have I Ever focuses on travel-related experiences, including destinations visited, travel mishaps, and cultural encounters.
- Determine the order in which players will share their “Never Have I Ever” statements, either randomly or through a predetermined order.
- Players take turns stating travel-related “Never Have I Ever” statements, such as “Never have I ever missed a flight.”
- Those who have done the action described in the statement reveal themselves by taking a sip of their drink or raising their hand and sharing their travel stories.
- Encourage players to discuss their favorite travel destinations, bucket list trips, and travel tips or recommendations.
- Wrap up the game after several rounds or when each participant has had a chance to share multiple statements. Based on shared interests, consider planning a future team retreat or travel-themed event.
Additional Tip: Remind players to keep their statements lighthearted and respectful, avoiding sensitive topics or potentially embarrassing experiences.
3. Food Edition
This variation of Never Have I Ever focuses on food-related experiences, including unique dishes tried, cooking adventures, and dining mishaps.
- Decide how players will take turns sharing their “Never Have I Ever” statements, either randomly or through a predetermined order.
- Players take turns stating food-related “Never Have I Ever” statements, such as “Never have I ever eaten escargot.”
- Those who have experienced the action described in the statement reveal themselves and share their culinary adventures or misadventures.
- Encourage players to discuss their favorite foods, memorable dining experiences, and cooking experiments.
- Conclude the game after several rounds or when teams have had an opportunity to share multiple statements. Consider planning a virtual cooking class or food-themed team bonding event.
Additional Tip: Encourage players to be adventurous with their statements to discover shared interests and culinary preferences within the team.
Tips:
- Keep statements light-hearted and inclusive to ensure the team feels comfortable participating.
- Encourage honesty and openness while respecting each player’s boundaries and privacy.
- Avoid sensitive topics or personal questions that could make players feel uncomfortable.
- Mix up the statements to include a variety of experiences, from silly to surprising.
- Use the game to learn more about your teammates and bond over shared experiences.
- Set clear guidelines for how players should indicate if they have done the action described in the statement, such as raising a hand or sipping their drink.
- Rotate the order of players to keep the game dynamic and engaging.
- Emphasize that the game is meant for fun and connection, not judgment or scrutiny.
- Monitor the energy and atmosphere of the group, intervening if necessary to maintain a positive and respectful environment.
- After the game, reflect on the shared experiences and use them as a springboard for further team bonding activities or discussions.
Final Thoughts
Never Have I Ever offers a wonderful opportunity for remote teams to connect, bond, and share laughter through shared experiences. By fostering openness, honesty, and camaraderie, this simple yet impactful game can strengthen team relationships and build a sense of belonging among colleagues. This exercise deepens connections with your teammates.
Want more ideas? Check out our post on virtual Christmas games.
