Chat Chains: a simple card game that builds connections and social skills

Whether you’re an educator, a homeschooler, or even looking for something for a family reunion, Chat Chains is a great way to get to know each other in a small group setting while making conversations more fun and rewarding. Plus, making a game out of conversations means everyone is much more willing to participate!

I can see this as a fun game being used in a variety of settings including but not limited to Youth Groups, Summer Camps, Classrooms, at the family dinner table, and more. There is flexibility to be used in all of those contexts and the discussions it opens up are great both in a peer age group and multigenerational setting.

Chat Chains for Social + Emotional Learning and building strong relationships

The wonderful thing about this game is that it truly can be adapted for all ages whether you’re looking at using it with preschoolers or adults and it gives age groups a frame of reference for relating to each other if they are playing together.

Students will be able to recognize their own emotions, strengths, and weaknesses to build better self awareness

All of the questions are straightforward enough that a child has to simply choose an answer that best aligns with their opinions and who they are. But maybe some of the questions are things they hadn’t considered like how they might spend $100 today if it was given to them or something they really like about themselves.

Some of the questions are hard only because they force the player to look at past experiences they would change or confront their own weaknesses or moments in life that turned in a way they didn’t expect like a friend moving to another state.

Students will be able to empathize with other people’s emotions, perspectives, and experiences

For children, it is important for them to learn to think outside of themselves and their own experiences To help them understand the people around them. Some sample questions from the game that may get kids thinking about what someone else has experienced are:

• “What is something you’re looking forward to?”
  • This gives children perspective that there are exciting things coming up in other peoples’ lives and they can be anticipating it with them and learn to look forward to events alongside someone else.
• “What is something you’re no longer scared of?”
  • This helps a child know that fears are not forever by seeing someone else overcome it.
• “What’s something you avoid?”
  • Knowing what a friend or family member avoids might help someone see a place that they can help or even just understand a bit of why they choose to go about their day a certain way.

The whole game is filled with other thought-provoking questions that might make someone listening to another player’s answers change their own views or relate to those around them.

Students will be able to build positive relationships by implementing communication and collaboration

Questions like “Who is someone you look up to?”, “What’s something your wish was different about your life”, or “What are you thankful for?” opens up communication about both currently experienced happiness and joy as well as ways to make future progress.

There are also Activity Cards scattered throughout the deck that are more than just conversation starters. They have participants in the game work together towards a goal like organizing themselves without verbal communication or identifying something absolutely everyone in a small group has in common, among other activities!

Students will be able to analyze the impact of past experiences on themselves and others

Learning about ourselves and others is not just recognizing that something happened in our lives, but seeing how it shapes who we are. Many of the questions help students do just that such as identifying who in their family is most like them (probably who has had the most impacts on their life!) or knowing what their talents are that might lead to a future business. In fact, maybe even having a conversation about how talents can lead them down a certain path in life is a valuable way to continue those conversations.

How to Play Chat Chains

Ultimately, you’re creating a “chain” with the chains printed on the cards and you get points based on your involvement in answering questions and continuing conversations. Take some time to watch the video below posted by another creator as it is a really great visual overview of the game!

Also, consider using it at your next large family gathering or reunion as mentioned in a different one of our own guides: This is the way to Bridge Generations: 5 quick games using conversation cards

Even more games you’ll enjoy

Join other parents and teachers who love tabletop games!

Get news and resources by subscribing to our mailing list. It’s a great way to join the community and get updates, offers, and more!