Just for Fun · Energize · Collaborate
Whiteboard Doodle Relay
Teams add one line at a time to a shared drawing, then discover what they created together.
Time6–10 minutes
Group size3–50 people
FormatSmall groups, Table groups
MaterialsMini whiteboards or chart paper, Markers
What this accomplishes
Participants take quick turns adding to a whiteboard drawing without discussing a full plan. The final image gets a title and a short connection to the school year, meeting topic, or team.
- Create a shared low-stakes artifact
- Practice building on incomplete ideas
Before you begin
Materials
- Mini whiteboards or chart paper
- Markers
Preparation
- Put one board and marker at each table
- Choose an optional starting shape or theme
What to say
“You are making one drawing together, one quick addition at a time. Artistic ability offers no advantage here. Build on what is present and resist explaining your master plan.”
How to run it
- 1
Give each group a blank board or one simple starting shape.
- 2
The first person draws for five seconds and passes the marker.
- 3
Continue around the group for two complete rounds without planning aloud.
- 4
Give teams one minute to add a title and a one-sentence description.
- 5
Display the drawings or invite a quick table-to-table look.
Prompts to use
A machine every educator needs
Our team as a theme park
The school year as a creature
A map to a surprisingly good day
Adapt it to the room
Small group
Use one shared board and continue for three rounds.
Large group
Keep the activity at tables and use a gallery walk rather than presentations.
Virtual
Use a collaborative whiteboard with one frame per breakout group.
Accessibility & inclusion
- Allow participants to direct a partner or add a word instead of drawing.
- Use a large board surface and high-contrast markers.
- Skip the no-talking rule if it creates an access barrier.
Debrief, if useful
What changed as the drawing passed from person to person?
Where did someone else's addition give you a new idea?
Why it works—and what can go wrong
Why it works
Very short turns prevent overplanning and make each contribution equally small, so the group experiences improvisation without high performance pressure.
Watch out for
- Keep the tone about the drawing, never about a person's skill.
- Do not require a public explanation from reluctant groups.