Once Upon A Time

Play Once Upon A Time with friends — 2+ players, 10 minutes. Play online party games with friends. Free in Pocket Party with 150+ IRL social games.

2+ players, about 10 minutes, ages 8+.

Play online party games with friends.

Setup

You’ll need to be somewhere with strangers nearby.

How to Play

Look at a random person nearby. For example, if you are in a park maybe it’s somebody feeding the ducks or if you are on a road trip it's somebody in the car next to you. One player must create a fictional story about them, beginning with the phrase “Once upon a time”. Eg. A car driving fast with a man inside could prompt you to say “Once upon a time, a man was rushing to get home in his car because dinner was getting cold.” Have the next player build on the story by adding another sentence to it. Keep taking turns until you have a complete story with a beginning, middle, and end. Tip: To tell a good story, try to invent a problem the person needs to overcome.

Frequently asked questions

How many people do you need to play Once Upon A Time?

Once Upon A Time is designed for 2+ players. It works best when everyone can hear each other and take turns quickly.

How long does Once Upon A Time take?

A round of Once Upon A Time usually takes about 10 minutes, depending on group size and how much discussion your players add.

Can you play Once Upon A Time without extra props?

Once Upon A Time is built to be lightweight. Check the on-page rules for any simple materials your group might need before you start.

Can kids play Once Upon A Time?

Once Upon A Time is recommended for ages 8+. For younger groups, read the rules first and choose categories or prompts that fit the room.