Innovation Workshop Games

4.6
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Collection of short exercises that unlock creative thinking and challenge conventional assumptions.

Innovation Workshop Games are a curated collection of quick exercises designed to shift mindsets and unlock creative potential. These include perspective-shifting activities, constraint-based challenges, random input techniques, and assumption-busting exercises. Unlike full workshops, these are 10-20 minute bursts that can be integrated into regular meetings to maintain innovative thinking. They help teams break mental patterns, challenge "we've always done it this way" thinking, and generate fresh approaches to persistent problems.

20-45 min6-30 peopleindoor
CorporateEducationalFun
Creative ThinkingTeam Building

Objective

Unlock creative thinking and challenge assumptions through quick innovation exercises.

Materials Needed
  • Worksheets or prompts
  • Timer
  • Random word generator (optional)
  • Whiteboard or collaborative tools

How to Play

1

Choose Exercise

2 min

Select appropriate game: Random Word Associations, Worst Possible Idea, Six Thinking Hats, or Future Headlines.

2

Frame the Problem

3 min

Present the challenge or topic participants will apply the innovation technique to.

3

Execute Technique

15 min

Run the selected game. For example, Worst Possible Idea: generate terrible solutions, then flip them into good ideas.

4

Capture Insights

10 min

Document interesting ideas, perspectives, or approaches that emerged. Look for unexpected connections.

5

Action Planning

5 min

Select 1-2 insights to develop further. Assign owners and next steps.

Pro Tips

facilitationImportant

Keep energy high - innovation exercises work best when playful and fast-paced.

Variations

Try these variations to adapt the game for different contexts and group sizes.

Innovation Sprint
Run multiple short innovation games in succession for comprehensive idea generation.

Changes:

Duration60-120 min
Weekly Innovation Habit
Start every team meeting with a 10-minute innovation exercise.

Changes:

Duration10-15 min