I Spy
I Spy is the traditional guessing game adapted for video calls: one person picks something visible in any participant's camera background, gives a single clue, and the others guess what it is. The online and hybrid version described here is published by Mischief Makers in its Facilipedia collection. It also includes a variant in which people spy a fact or quality of a colleague instead of an object, which turns the game into a connection exercise.
Facilitation script
- 1
Set gallery view, explain the rules in two sentences and play the first round as the spy.
2 min - 2
The first winner takes over as spy; continue with each correct guesser choosing the next object.
4 min - 3
Optional round of the person-based variant, with clues about a colleague.
2 min - 4
Thank the group and link to the first agenda item.
1 min
Tips
Choose a first object that is easy to find so the group understands the game within one round.
Let people without a camera guess; they only cannot be spied on.
If the same quick person keeps winning, let the winner nominate the next spy.
Keep the person-based variant to things people have shared openly at work.
Common pitfalls
Starting with an obscure object: the first round stalls and the group decides the game is tedious
Letting guesses pile up from the same two fast voices: slower or quieter participants stop trying
Giving several clues at once: the guessing is over in seconds and there is no game left
Using the person variant to hint at private matters: someone is exposed in front of colleagues and trust takes a knock
Running it for too long: after a handful of rounds the backgrounds are used up and energy falls
Variations
Spy a Person: clues are facts or qualities of colleagues, which works well for teams that know a bit about each other. In a hybrid meeting, objects in the physical room count too, provided the remote participants can see them on camera. For groups with many virtual or blurred backgrounds, ask people to hold one object up to the camera before you start. In person, the game works unchanged with the room itself.
Where it fits
When to use it
The first minutes of a remote or hybrid meeting while people are still arriving mentally
A hybrid session where room and remote participants tend to ignore each other and need a reason to look at the other side
A group that wants a light warm-up without personal disclosure
A team that already knows each other and can play the person-based variant as a connection round
You have five minutes and nothing prepared
When not to use it
Most cameras are off or backgrounds are blurred, so there is nothing to spy; use a chat-based check-in question instead
The group is much larger than 25, where video tiles are too small to make out objects; a Virtual Scavenger Hunt scales better
Participants are sensitive about their homes being looked at closely, for example in a first meeting with clients
You need a warm-up that leads into the topic; a check-in question tied to the session theme is more useful
The team are strangers and you plan the person variant; they lack the knowledge to give or guess clues
Related methods
Frequently asked questions
What is I Spy?▾
I Spy is a guessing game in which one player chooses something everyone can see and gives a single clue, and the others guess what it is. In the online version the objects come from participants' video backgrounds. It takes five to ten minutes and needs no preparation.
How do you play I Spy on a video call?▾
Everyone switches to gallery view. The spy picks an object in any participant's background and gives one clue such as its colour or first letter. Whoever guesses it becomes the next spy.
Can I Spy be played in a hybrid meeting?▾
Yes. Seat the people in the room so they can see the screen showing the remote participants, and make sure the room camera shows enough of the room for remote people to spy objects there too. This gives both sides a reason to look at each other.
What is the Spy a Person variant?▾
Instead of an object, the spy gives a clue about a person in the group, such as a hobby or a recent achievement, and the group guesses who is meant. It suits teams who know each other and should stay with facts people have shared themselves.
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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 Traditional guessing game; online and hybrid adaptation by Mischief Makers (Facilipedia).