Desert Island Scenario
Also known as: Deserted Island, Stranded Island Game, Survival Island, Island Survival Icebreaker, Castaway Scenario
A creative decision-making activity where participants choose items to bring to a deserted island, revealing priorities and sparking meaningful discussions about values.
Quick Overview
Introduction
Desert Island Scenario is a classic icebreaker that transports participants to an imaginary deserted island where they must choose a limited number of items to survive. This engaging activity reveals individual priorities, decision-making styles, and values while encouraging creative thinking and meaningful conversation. Participants share their choices and reasoning, leading to lively discussions that help team members understand each other's perspectives and build genuine connections.
Key Features
- No expensive materials required - just imagination and conversation
- Reveals personal values and decision-making styles naturally
- Generates rich discussions that break down social barriers
- Easily adaptable for virtual, hybrid, or in-person settings
Ideal For
Desert Island Scenario works brilliantly for newly formed teams, onboarding sessions, and the beginning of workshops where participants don't know each other well. It's particularly effective for groups of 6-20 people where everyone can share and discuss their choices. The activity shines in situations where you want to move beyond surface-level introductions to understand how people think and what they value.
What Makes It Unique
Unlike simple icebreakers that only scratch the surface, Desert Island Scenario creates a safe hypothetical space where participants naturally reveal their problem-solving approach, survival instincts, and personal priorities without feeling exposed or vulnerable.
Game Video
How to Play
Preparation
5 minutes- 1Prepare a list of 15-20 items participants can choose from, including survival essentials (knife, rope, matches), comfort items (pillow, book, guitar), and practical tools (fishing net, tarp, water bottle)
- 2Decide on the number of items each participant can choose—typically 3-5 items works best for rich discussion
- 3If using virtual format, create a shared document or use a collaborative whiteboard tool where participants can see the item list
- 4Arrange seating in a circle or U-shape if in-person, ensuring everyone can see and hear each other clearly
- 5Prepare timing guidance: 2-3 minutes for individual selection, 2-3 minutes per person for sharing (adjust based on group size)
Game Flow
20-35 minutes- 1Set the scene: 'Imagine you're stranded on a deserted tropical island. There's fresh water and fruit trees, but you'll be there for at least 6 months. From this list, you can bring [X] items with you. Choose wisely!'
- 2Give participants 2-3 minutes to individually select their items and jot down brief reasons for each choice—encourage them to really think about their priorities
- 3Starting with a volunteer (or someone you know is comfortable speaking first), have each person share their chosen items and explain their reasoning
- 4After each person shares, allow 1-2 questions or comments from the group before moving to the next person—this keeps engagement high and creates dialogue
- 5As facilitator, notice patterns and interesting contrasts: 'I notice three people chose books but for different reasons—survival knowledge, mental health, and entertainment. That's fascinating!'
- 6Encourage respectful debate when people have different priorities: 'Sarah prioritized comfort while Mike went all-in on survival tools. Both approaches are valid—what does this tell us about how we might approach workplace challenges differently?'
- 7If the group is large (12+), consider breaking into smaller groups of 4-6 for sharing, then have each group report their most interesting discovery to the full group
Wrap Up
5-8 minutes- 1Ask reflection questions: 'What did you learn about how different people approach problem-solving?' or 'Were you surprised by anyone's choices?'
- 2Draw connections to the team's work: 'How might understanding these different approaches help us collaborate better on projects?'
- 3Invite participants to share one thing they learned about a colleague they didn't know before
- 4Thank everyone for their openness and creative thinking—acknowledge that there's no right answer and that diversity of thought makes teams stronger
- 5Optional: Take a group photo or create a digital record of everyone's choices as a memento of the activity
Host Script
Questions & Examples
Survival-Focused Choices
- •Knife - for cutting, tool-making, and food preparation
- •Waterproof matches - to start fires for cooking, warmth, and signaling
- •Fishing net - reliable protein source without constant effort
- •Rope - essential for building shelter and countless other uses
- •First aid kit - medical emergencies are serious when you're isolated
Comfort-Oriented Choices
- •Sleeping bag - quality sleep is crucial for mental and physical health
- •Journal and pen - processing emotions and maintaining mental clarity
- •Photos of loved ones - emotional connection and motivation to survive
- •Favorite book - rereading provides comfort and mental escape
- •Hammock - practical comfort that also helps with morale
Balanced Practical Choices
- •Multi-tool - combines multiple survival functions in one item
- •Water purification tablets - ensures safe drinking water from any source
- •Solar charger and radio - stay informed and maintain hope of rescue
- •Tarp - waterproof shelter, rain collection, shade, multiple uses
- •Seeds - long-term food security and purposeful activity
Creative/Unexpected Choices
- •Guitar - music maintains humanity and emotional well-being
- •Yoga mat - physical and mental health through daily practice
- •Watercolor set - creative expression processes experiences
- •Chess set - mental stimulation playing against yourself or teaching monkeys
- •Favorite cookbook - inspiring creativity with limited island ingredients
Virtual Version (for Zoom/Teams)
Desert Island Scenario translates seamlessly to virtual environments and often feels even more inclusive since everyone gets equal speaking time and visibility.
- •Share the item list via screen share or send it in the chat before starting so everyone can see their options clearly
- •Use breakout rooms for groups larger than 8 people—this ensures everyone gets adequate airtime and the discussion stays engaging
- •Try a collaborative whiteboard tool like Miro or Mural where participants can drag and drop their chosen items into their personal 'island space'—this creates visual interest and helps quiet participants feel less spotlighted
- •Have participants use the 'raise hand' feature to ask questions after each person shares, or encourage using reactions (thumbs up, heart) to show appreciation for creative choices
- •Record the session (with permission) so you can create a fun recap showing everyone's unique choices—this extends the team-building impact beyond the live session
Tips & Variations
Pro Tips
- ✓Start with a volunteer rather than going in order—this sets an enthusiastic tone and gives others a model for how much detail to share
- ✓Listen for 'entry points' in people's explanations that reveal deeper values, then gently highlight these: 'It sounds like independence is really important to you' or 'I hear you prioritizing long-term thinking'
- ✓If someone gives very brief answers, ask a follow-up question to help them elaborate: 'Tell us more about why the guitar made your list' or 'What would you use the rope for first?'
- ✓Watch for patterns across the group's choices and name them: 'Half of us chose items for staying mentally healthy—that's interesting!' This helps participants see commonalities
- ✓Don't rush the activity—the magic happens in the discussion and questions, not just the listing of items
- ✓For very large groups (20+), have people share just their top 1-2 items rather than all five to keep energy high and avoid fatigue
- ✓Take notes on interesting insights or quotes during the activity, then reference them later in the workshop or at future team meetings to reinforce the connections made
Variations
Consensus Version
After individual selection, divide into teams of 4-5 and ask each team to reach consensus on a single list of 5 items for their shared island. This adds negotiation and compromise skills to the learning experience.
Themed Islands
Adapt the island theme to match your group: 'Space Station' for tech companies, 'Zombie Apocalypse Bunker' for gamers, 'Mountain Cabin' for outdoor enthusiasts. The principle remains the same while increasing relevance.
Mystery Island
Don't tell participants what items are available—have them first think of their own items without constraints, then see what overlaps. This reveals even more about individual thinking patterns and creativity.
Two-Round Version
Round 1: Choose items for yourself. Round 2: Choose items to bring for someone else in the group based on what you learned about them. This deepens listening and demonstrates attention to others.
Common Pitfalls
- ✗Skipping the explanation phase—the items themselves aren't interesting; the reasoning behind them is where the connection happens. Always allocate enough time for people to explain their thinking.
- ✗Allowing judgment or mockery of choices, even playfully—this shuts down psychological safety immediately. Frame all choices as 'revealing how we think differently' rather than 'right vs. wrong.'
- ✗Going too fast—rushing through each person's share makes it feel like a checklist rather than a conversation. Build in time for questions and reactions.
- ✗Forgetting to connect back to the team's actual work—end with reflection questions that bridge the activity to real workplace collaboration or communication.
- ✗Using too many items in the list (30+) or too few (5-8)—this either creates decision paralysis or makes choices too easy. Sweet spot is 15-20 items with variety across categories.
Safety & Inclusivity Notes
- •Make participation voluntary for sharing—require everyone to choose items, but allow someone to pass if they're uncomfortable explaining their reasoning out loud. Most will still share, but the option reduces anxiety.
- •Avoid making assumptions about choices based on gender, culture, or background—a woman choosing 'practical survival tools' or a man choosing 'comfort items' might defy your expectations, which is valuable learning.
- •Be sensitive to participants who may have experienced actual survival situations, displacement, or trauma related to isolation. Frame it as a 'creative thought experiment' rather than survival simulation.
- •If someone shares something very personal or emotional in their explanation, acknowledge it respectfully but don't make them the center of attention—thank them for sharing and move forward naturally.
- •For neurodivergent participants, provide the item list and instructions in advance if possible, so they can prepare without time pressure during the activity.
Why This Game Works
Desert Island Scenario leverages fundamental psychological principles to create meaningful connections. The hypothetical survival scenario activates both creative and analytical thinking, while the constraint of limited choices forces participants to reveal their true priorities. This combination of imagination, decision-making, and self-disclosure creates the perfect conditions for authentic team bonding.
Psychological Principles
Self-Disclosure Reciprocity
Irwin Altman & Dalmas Taylor
Social Penetration Theory demonstrates that self-disclosure is reciprocal - when one person shares personal information, others feel more comfortable doing the same, gradually deepening relationships.
Application in Game
When participants explain why they'd bring a guitar or fishing net to the island, they reveal values like creativity or practicality. This personal sharing encourages others to open up, creating a ripple effect of authentic connection throughout the team.
Psychological Safety
Amy Edmondson
Psychological safety is the belief that one won't be punished or humiliated for speaking up with ideas, questions, or mistakes. It's essential for team learning and innovation.
Application in Game
The hypothetical nature of the desert island removes real-world consequences, creating a psychologically safe space where there are no 'wrong' answers. Participants feel comfortable expressing unconventional ideas without fear of judgment, building trust from the start.
Values Clarification
Milton Rokeach
Values clarification theory suggests that understanding and articulating one's values leads to better decision-making and self-awareness. When people clarify their values, they also become more understanding of others' different value systems.
Application in Game
Choosing between a knife, matches, or rope forces participants to prioritize survival needs, revealing whether they value security, comfort, creativity, or social connection. Hearing others' different choices demonstrates value diversity in a non-confrontational way.
Creative Problem-Solving
Joy Paul Guilford
Divergent thinking involves generating creative ideas by exploring many possible solutions. It's enhanced when people feel relaxed and playful rather than stressed or evaluated.
Application in Game
The open-ended scenario encourages divergent thinking as participants imagine creative uses for items and unique survival strategies. This mental flexibility carries over to workplace problem-solving and helps teams see multiple perspectives.
Scientific Evidence
Teams that engage in shared decision-making activities show 32% higher collective intelligence scores and improved collaboration on subsequent tasks.
Hypothetical scenario discussions increase perspective-taking ability by 28% compared to standard introductions, leading to reduced workplace conflicts.
Measurable Outcomes
Measured using the Group Environment Questionnaire (GEQ) subscales
Timeframe: Post-activity and 2-week follow-up
Self-reported willingness to share ideas in meetings, measured via survey
Timeframe: First week following activity
Peer ratings of understanding colleagues' perspectives and motivations
Timeframe: Immediately post-activity
Success Stories
Breaking Down Silos in a Merged Technology Team
Background
A mid-sized software company merged two engineering teams (Backend and Frontend) into one full-stack team. Despite working on the same product, the 18 engineers barely communicated across their former team boundaries. The engineering manager needed a non-threatening way to help them see each other as individuals rather than 'the backend guys' or 'the frontend people.'
Challenge
Team members had developed stereotypes about each other's work styles. Backend engineers saw frontend developers as focused on aesthetics over functionality, while frontend developers felt backend engineers didn't understand user needs. This created communication barriers and slowed down feature development.
Solution
During a team offsite, the manager facilitated Desert Island Scenario with a tech twist - allowing participants to choose from both survival items and tech equipment. Each person shared their top 5 choices and explained their reasoning. The discussion revealed unexpected commonalities: both groups valued problem-solving tools and had similar practical approaches to challenges.
Results
Within two weeks, cross-functional pull requests increased by 45%. Engineers reported feeling more comfortable asking 'basic' questions across specialties. One backend engineer mentioned, 'I realized Sarah thinks just as systematically as I do, just about different problems.' The team's sprint velocity increased by 23% over the following quarter.
Energizing a Quiet University Seminar
Background
A graduate-level organizational psychology seminar had 14 students from diverse countries. Despite being the third week of the semester, students only spoke when called upon, creating an uncomfortable atmosphere that hindered the discussion-based course format.
Challenge
Cultural differences in communication styles made some students hesitant to speak up. Several international students later admitted they felt intimidated by native English speakers and worried about saying something 'wrong' in front of the group.
Solution
The professor introduced Desert Island Scenario at the start of class, framing it as a 'warm-up exercise.' Students worked in pairs for 5 minutes to choose their items, then shared with the full group. The professor encouraged follow-up questions and playful debate about choices.
Results
The activity transformed the class dynamic. Students discovered shared interests (three students chose books, sparking a side conversation about favorite authors) and different cultural perspectives (one student's choice of rice and fishing net reflected island living experience). Participation in subsequent class discussions increased from 4-5 students to 11-12 students regularly contributing. Course evaluation ratings for 'inclusive classroom environment' rose from 3.8 to 4.6 out of 5.
What Users Say
"I was skeptical at first—it seemed too simple. But within 10 minutes, my team was having the most authentic conversation we'd had in months. People opened up about their problem-solving approaches in ways that felt natural, not forced."
Marcus Thompson
Operations Manager
Use Case: Team integration after departmental restructuring
"As someone who dreads typical icebreakers, I actually enjoyed this one. There's no pressure to be funny or perform, just share your thinking. I learned more about my coworkers in 30 minutes than in the previous 3 months."
Jennifer Wu
Senior Product Designer
Use Case: New employee onboarding session
"The best part? No expensive materials, no complex setup, and it works just as well on Zoom as in person. I've used it with three different cohorts now, and it consistently breaks the ice faster than any other activity I've tried."
Dr. Rachel Martinez
Leadership Development Consultant
Use Case: Executive coaching and team workshops
"My quiet team members really came alive during this activity. One engineer who rarely speaks in meetings gave this passionate explanation for choosing a Swiss Army knife that had everyone engaged. It shifted how the team sees him."
Kevin Park
Engineering Team Lead
Use Case: Quarterly team building session
Frequently Asked Questions
3-5 items is the sweet spot. Three items forces tough prioritization and reveals core values. Five items allows for more balanced choices showing different aspects of personality. For shorter sessions (under 20 minutes), stick with three items to keep discussions concise.
This happens occasionally! Respond with humor and curiosity: 'I appreciate the creative thinking! Let's assume those aren't available—what would you choose to make life on the island more bearable?' This person's impulse to 'hack' the system actually tells you something valuable about their problem-solving style.
Yes, but modify the format. Break into small groups of 5-6 for the sharing portion, then bring everyone together and have each small group share their most interesting discovery or most debated item choice. This maintains intimacy while accommodating scale.
Set ground rules at the start: 'All choices are valid—we're here to understand different thinking styles, not to debate right and wrong.' If someone becomes domineering, redirect: 'That's an interesting perspective, Marcus. I'd love to hear from others too. Does anyone have a different approach?' As facilitator, you set the tone for respectful curiosity.
Absolutely—in fact, it often works even better with diverse groups because it reveals cultural differences in problem-solving and priorities in a neutral, interesting way. Just be mindful of your item list: include items that translate across cultures and avoid culturally specific references that might exclude some participants.