Wikiracing
Wikiracing is a browser game in which players start on the same Wikipedia article and race to reach a named target article by clicking only the links inside the articles. The winner is the first to arrive or the player who needs the fewest clicks. It is an internet folk game without a single originator and is used in facilitation mainly as an energiser for remote meetings.
Facilitation script
- 1
Explain the game and the three rules, then post the start article link and the target article name in chat.
2 min - 2
Round one: count down and start. Cap the round at three minutes and ask the first finisher to announce it.
3 min - 3
The winner reads out the route; one or two others share where they went instead.
2 min - 4
Round two with a harder pair or the fewest-clicks rule, followed by a brief comparison of routes.
3 min
Tips
Test your start and target pair yourself beforehand; some pairs are solved in two clicks and others take ten minutes.
Set a time cap of about three minutes per round and declare the closest player the winner if nobody arrives.
The route comparison is the best part, so leave a minute for it instead of rushing into the next round.
Common pitfalls
Picking an untested pair that turns out to be trivial or nearly impossible, so the round ends in ten seconds or drags until people give up
Leaving the rules about search and the find function unstated, which leads to a dispute about whether the winner cheated
Running a round with no time cap; the fastest players finish and wait in silence while the rest are still clicking
Skipping the route comparison, which is where the surprise and the conversation are; without it the game is just individual browsing
Using it with a group that is already split between fast and slow typists or readers, so the same two people win every round and others stop trying
Variations
Fewest clicks: no time pressure, the shortest route wins. Team version: breakout pairs with one person navigating and the other advising. Common house rules ban very highly linked pages such as large countries. Topic-linked version: pick a target article related to the session theme. A related game is to follow only the first link of each article and count the steps until a given page appears.
Where it fits
When to use it
A remote meeting needs a five-minute lift and everyone is already at a keyboard
The next exercise asks people to make unexpected connections, and a round of linking unrelated topics is a fitting warm-up
A distributed team wants a light competitive game that needs no accounts, downloads or preparation
A hybrid group has laptops open and you want an activity that puts in-room and remote participants on equal terms
When not to use it
The purpose is for people to get to know each other; the game is played solo and in silence, so use a conversational opener such as Check-In Questions
Participants have been on screens for hours and need to move; choose a stand-up energiser such as Walk & Stop with camera-friendly movements
Some participants join by phone or from locked-down devices without free browser access; a chat-based game includes them better
The group includes people who read the meeting language slowly; a speed-reading race puts them at a clear disadvantage, so use the fewest-clicks version or another activity
Related methods
Frequently asked questions
What is Wikiracing?▾
Wikiracing is a game in which players navigate from one Wikipedia article to another using only the links inside the articles. Everyone starts on the same page and the first to reach the target, or the one who gets there in the fewest clicks, wins. It is also known as the Wikipedia Game.
What are the rules of Wikiracing?▾
Players may only click links within the body of articles. Using the search box, the browser's find function or typing a web address is not allowed. Groups often add house rules, such as banning certain very well-connected pages or setting a time limit.
How long does a round take?▾
A single round usually takes one to three minutes with a well-chosen pair of articles. With the explanation, two rounds and a comparison of routes, plan five to ten minutes in total.
How do you pick good start and target articles?▾
Choose two topics from different fields that most people recognise, such as an animal and a historical event, and try the route yourself first. Avoid very obscure targets with few incoming links, and avoid pairs where the start article links directly to the target.
Can teams play instead of individuals?▾
Yes. Put people in pairs or small breakout groups where one person shares their screen and navigates while the others suggest links. This adds conversation and removes the advantage of fast individual readers.
Plan your next workshop with AI
Workshop Weaver helps you combine methods like Wikiracing into a complete, timed agenda in minutes.
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 Internet folk game; published as 'Wiki Journey' by playmeo.