3+ players · ages 8+ · face-to-face

I Am, Not That

One object. Many descriptions. Endless disagreements.

Object List

Play Mode

Constraint

Shared object for this round

Tap “Draw Object”

Then go clockwise. Every turn begins with “I am…”

Mode Free Play

Constraint None

Someone disagree?

Say “Not that.” Challenger explains briefly. Speaker gets one sentence. Then the group votes. Majority decides.

Optional turn timer

The timer is optional. The actual rule is simply: don’t pause too long.

During the round

1. Keep the same object for the entire round.

2. Go clockwise. Start every turn with “I am…”

3. Don’t repeat a description already used.

4. If you disagree, say “Not that.”

Best default: use Free Play. Nobody is eliminated; if someone hesitates or loses a challenge, skip them and keep going.

Start playing in under a minute

Sit in a circle.
Choose one object. Use the game screen or pick any object everyone knows.
Say the object out loud. It stays the same for the entire round.
Take turns clockwise.
On your turn, begin with “I am…” and describe the object.
Don’t repeat a description and don’t pause too long.

Example — Object: Door
“I am between rooms.” · “I am opened and closed.” · “I am part of a building.”

“Not That” challenges

If you disagree with a description, say “Not that.”

The challenger points out what doesn’t fit and briefly explains why.
The speaker may respond with one sentence.
Everyone votes thumbs up or thumbs down.
Majority decides. The group’s judgment is final.

No looking things up. Keep it moving. Friendly disagreement is part of the game.

Pick your ending

Free Play — recommended No one is out. If someone hesitates or loses a challenge, skip them and keep going.

Standard Play Hesitate, repeat, or lose a challenge and you’re out. Last player in wins.

Objective

Describe one shared object out loud, one turn at a time, without hesitating, repeating, or getting successfully challenged.

Depending on the mode, either stay in as long as you can or play freely and keep everyone engaged.

Players: 3 or more · best with 4–10 · ages 8+

Core rules

Setup

Players sit in a circle.
Choose one thing, place, or abstract noun familiar to everyone.
Don’t choose a person who is playing.
Say the object clearly out loud. It never changes during the round.

Taking turns

Go clockwise.
Begin your turn with “I am…”
Your sentence must describe the shared object.
Descriptions can be literal, relational, experiential, or imaginative.
No repeats. Don’t pause too long.

Confidence matters more than perfection. If you’re unsure, say something anyway. Hesitation is riskier than being challenged.

Modes

Free Play No elimination. If someone hesitates or loses a challenge, skip them. Great for families, mixed ages, first-time players, and discussion-heavy groups.

Standard Play A player is out if they hesitate too long, repeat a description, or lose a “Not That” challenge. Last player in wins.

Word Ladder Descriptions follow a word-count pattern: Round 1 = one word, Round 2 = two words, Round 3 = three words, and so on.

Kids / Mixed Ages No elimination, gentle challenges only, and help someone if they get stuck.

Optional constraints

When a constraint is chosen, every description must fit it. If one doesn’t, anyone may challenge it with “Not That.”

Location: where the object exists.
Function: what the object does or is used for.
Relationship: what it connects to, depends on, or interacts with.
Negative: what the object is not.
Perspective: how the object is experienced by someone or something else.
Constraint — advanced: limits, rules, or conditions the object operates under.

Quick reminders

The object never changes during a round.
No Googling or looking things up.
The group decides.
Being convincing matters more than being technically perfect.
If people are laughing and debating, the game is working.

First time? Play one short practice round. Once people hear a few turns, everything clicks.

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