Exciting Sponge
Exciting Sponge is a quick storytelling game in which each person picks up a dull everyday object and invents an exaggerated story to convince the group that it is extraordinary. Anyone without an object to hand describes an imaginary plain sponge, which gives the game its name. Its origin is unknown; it became widely known through Museum Hack's list of virtual team-building activities.
Facilitation script
- 1
Explain the game, ask everyone to grab an object within reach, and give a few seconds to think.
1 min - 2
Tell your own exaggerated object story as the example.
1 min - 3
Participants take turns holding up their object and telling its story in 30 to 45 seconds each. With more than about ten people, split into groups of four or five so everyone gets a turn in the time.
6 min - 4
Ask which story will stick, thank the group and link to the next agenda item.
1 min
Tips
Set a clear limit of about 30 to 45 seconds per person, because the game is funniest when stories are short and the next one follows fast.
Your own example fixes the tone, so make it bold and brief.
Do not allow time for people to swap their object for something more impressive; the boring object is the point.
Let people pass and come back to them at the end rather than waiting through a silence.
Common pitfalls
No time limit per story, so that one long tale sets the pattern and a five-minute warm-up takes twenty
A cautious example from the facilitator, after which everyone gives a factual product description and the game falls flat
Calling on people in a fixed order without the option to pass, which puts the least comfortable improvisers under the most pressure
Letting people hunt around their home for an interesting object, which costs time and removes the challenge of making something dull sound remarkable
Running it with a group that expected a serious meeting and giving no reason; say in one sentence why you are doing a creative warm-up
Variations
Swap version: in a room, everyone passes their object two places to the left and pitches something they did not choose. Themed version: before pitching or ideation work, ask people to sell the object as the solution to the problem the group is about to work on. Large groups: run it in breakout groups of four or five so that everyone speaks within the time. All-sponge version: everyone describes the same plain sponge and the challenge is to find a new angle each time.
Where it fits
When to use it
A remote meeting needs a five-minute warm-up that requires no preparation and no tools
The group is about to brainstorm or pitch and needs permission to say things that are not sensible
A team that knows each other well wants something lighter than another round of personal questions
Energy has dropped after lunch or a long presentation
A session on storytelling or presenting needs a first exercise with nothing at stake
When not to use it
The group is larger than about 15 and cannot be split; individual turns take too long, so use a whole-group energiser such as Touch Blue
Participants have just met and are still guarded; improvising in front of strangers can feel exposing, so begin with a One Word Check-In
You want people to share something real about themselves; Show and Tell uses objects that carry actual meaning
The meeting is serious or the group is under pressure, where invented nonsense will seem out of place; a plain check-in round fits better
You want structured pitching practice with feedback; use Elevator Pitch, which works on real content
Related methods
Frequently asked questions
What is Exciting Sponge?▾
Exciting Sponge is a short storytelling icebreaker. Each participant takes an ordinary object within reach and makes up an exaggerated story that presents it as something remarkable. People without an object describe an imaginary plain sponge instead. It takes five to ten minutes and needs no preparation.
Why is it called Exciting Sponge?▾
The sponge is the default object for anyone who has nothing to hand. A plain sponge is about as unremarkable as an object gets, which makes it a good test of how far a storyteller can exaggerate.
How long does each person speak?▾
Under a minute, and 30 to 45 seconds is usually enough. Short turns keep the pace up and make it easier for hesitant participants. State the limit before the first story.
Does it work in person as well as online?▾
Yes. It is popular in video meetings because everyone has different objects on their desk, but it works in a room with whatever is in pockets, bags or on the table. In person you can also have people swap objects before they pitch.
What is the point of the game?▾
It warms up imagination and speaking in front of the group without touching any real work content. Because the stories are meant to be absurd, nobody can get it wrong, which makes it a useful step before brainstorming or pitching where people need to voice unfinished ideas.
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Try it freeMethod descriptions on Workshop Weaver are original content written by our team, based on established facilitation practices. This method was inspired by work from Origin unknown, described by Museum Hack.