Sketch Relay — drawing telephone for remote teams.
A draw-and-guess chain game for hybrid teams. Players alternate between sketching a phrase and guessing the previous drawing, then everyone sees how far it drifted.
Only the facilitator signs in. Participants just join.
How it works
A draw and guess chain game where the starting phrase may or may not be the same by the end. Start drawing and watch the chaos unfold.
Why this works
Drawing forces visual communication. That levels the playing field for non-native English speakers and quieter teammates who might hold back in a verbal activity. Watching the chain drift from the original phrase to something completely different over several rotations gives the team a shared inside reference that outlasts the session.
What facilitators say
The drift from starting phrase to final guess is always funny and always specific to this group, which gives you a shared artifact and a shared story in one activity.
Where it lands
Who it's for
- Mid-sized hybrid teams (4–10)
- Workshop kick-offs needing a collaborative warm-up
- Remote teams comfortable with drawing on a laptop or tablet
- Cross-functional groups that rarely work together directly
Best for
- 15-minute workshop opener for a cross-functional team
- Offsite social activity for a team of 4–10
- Remote team social for a group meeting for the first time
- Pre-retro warm-up for a delivery team that has worked together for a while
When not to use this game
Skip it for participants joining from phones without a stylus. Sketching on a small touchscreen is frustrating enough to undermine the game. Four or more people on laptops or tablets is the reliable setup.
Facilitator script
You'll either draw the phrase you're given, or guess what the drawing in front of you shows. You won't know which until your turn starts. The chain gets revealed at the end.