90 Ultimate Desert Island Game Rules: Ideas for Epic Play
These Desert Island Game Rules will have kids thinking on their feet!
This game is wonderful for keeping kids entertained without supplies. (My kids love doing it in the car.) But it’s also great for critical thinking skills too. Players have to problem solve to figure out the rule!
Who can play? All ages! This is a great option for your next family game night or classroom brain break.
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How to Play the Desert Island Game
Follow the instructions and get started!
1. Choose your rule. Come up with a rule (look below!) that will dictate what items students are and are not allowed to bring if they want to come with you to the desert island.
2. Decide on your first statement. You’ll tell the group:
“I’m stuck on an island and I can bring ________ (something that fits the rule) but not ___________ (something that doesn’t fit the rule).”
3. Let players call out a word to see if they can figure out the rule.
For example, if the rule is “round”. The first player might say, “I’m stuck on an island, and I can bring a tire but not a window. From there, the other players might guess “chair” (no) or “clock” (yes).
Continue playing until everyone gets a turn or someone figures out the rule.
4. Identify the rule. Once everyone has had a turn, discuss what the rule is and why the items fit or didn’t.
5. Play more rounds. Depending on how much time you have, take turns having other players come up with a rule.
Desert Island Rule Ideas
Next, here are the list of items to get you going in this game!
Words
A five letter word
A word that has a double consonant
A word that has a double vowel
A word that starts with a specific letter
A word that ends with a specific letter
A word that starts with the person’s name
A word that rhymes
Animals
A sea creature
A type of reptile
An animal that lives in the rainforest
A type of bird
A type of pet
A type of mammal
Something that lives in a zoo
Something that lives in a creek
Farm animals
Touch and Texture
Something you can use to keep warm
Something that’s cold
Something that cools you down
Something you can cuddle with
Something that’s prickly
Shapes
Things that are square
Things that are round
Things that are rectangular
Things that are spherical
Things that are triangular
Nouns
Something that has wheels
Something that can fly
Something that has spots
Something that has stripes
Something that has 2 legs (or 4, 6, etc)
Something that is a specific color (blue, green, red, orange, etc)
Something that grows
Piece of furniture
Something that requires electricity
Something that requires gas
Something that protects you from the sun
A type of instrument
Something you would find in a desk (or a backpack)
Something you would find in space
Family members
Famous people
Things you can write with
Something you could sleep on
Something you need when sick
Something in a classroom
Something at the beach
Something in a library
Something you wash
Something you can read
A type of technology
A type of toy
Food & Drink
A type of fruit
A type of vegetable
A type of drink
Pizza toppings
Ice cream toppings
A classic Thanksgiving dish
A type of candy or candy bar
Something you eat at Christmas
Something you could eat for breakfast
Something you would eat for school lunch
Something you eat as a snack
Dipping sauces/dressings
Sandwich items
Food that is crunchy
Food that is soft
Food that uses noodles
Something you would find in a freezer
Something you would find in a refrigerator
Something you would find in a garden
A dessert
More Challenging Desert Island Game Ideas
For older kids and adults, these rule ideas are loads of fun!
Something that is gross
Something you take camping
Something that is scary
Something that is sticky
Something you can use as a shovel
Something you would find in a Christmas stocking
Animals with a long tail
Things you eat with a spoon
Something you wish you owned
Something a gorilla would eat (or snake, alligator, etc.)
Animals that eat only plants
Something you can ride on
Something that cheers you up
Something you might see out of a car window
Something you would find at a birthday party
Something that keeps you entertained
Something that makes a high pitched sound
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