Ever sat through a team retrospective that felt more like a Monday morning lecture than a chance to learn and grow? You’re not alone. Retros are supposed to help teams reflect, celebrate wins, and brainstorm improvements—but if they’re dull, nobody gets much out of them. That’s where retrospective games come in.
Think of them as the secret sauce that turns “ugh, another meeting” into “hey, that was actually fun.” From quirky icebreakers to creative storytelling activities, these games keep energy levels up, spark honest conversations, and make sure everyone leaves the room (or Zoom) feeling heard. Plus, when people enjoy the process, they’re way more likely to buy into the outcomes.
In this blog, we’ll run through some retrospective games your team will actually look forward to – no eye rolls required.
Fun Retrospective Games to Try with Your Team 🎲
Alright, enough theory—it’s game time. Retrospectives don’t have to feel like a routine status update. With the right activities, you can turn them into engaging sessions your team actually looks forward to. Here are some retrospective games to spice things up:
1. The Sailboat Game ⛵
If your team loves visuals, this one’s a hit. Imagine your project as a sailboat cruising across the ocean. The boat represents your team, the wind in the sails is what pushes you forward, and the anchors are what hold you back. The rocks ahead? Those are the risks waiting to sink the ship if you don’t steer carefully.
How it works:
- Draw a sailboat on a whiteboard (or use a digital tool).
- Add sticky notes for “wind” (positives), “anchors” (negatives), and “rocks” (risks).
- Discuss and prioritize.
Why it works:
It gives a clear, memorable picture of progress, challenges, and risks—without the monotony of bullet points.
2. Mad Sad Glad 😀😢😡
A retro classic. Instead of diving straight into tasks, ask your team how the sprint made them feel.
How it works:
- Create three columns: Mad, Sad, Glad.
- Everyone adds sticky notes under each category.
- Discuss trends and dig into why those feelings came up.
Why it works:
It opens the floor for emotions, which often uncover blockers that numbers and metrics can’t.
3. Start, Stop, Continue 🔄
Simple and structured, this one’s about habits.
How it works:
- Three categories: Start (new things to try), Stop (things that don’t work), Continue (things worth keeping).
- Collect input, then vote on top priorities.
Why it works:
It balances reflection and action, helping teams make concrete improvements.
4. The 4Ls (Liked, Learned, Lacked, Longed For) 📒
This one digs deeper than surface-level wins and fails.
How it works:
- Divide the board into four Ls.
- Team members add notes about what they liked, learned, lacked, and longed for.
- Review together.
Why it works:
It pushes people to think beyond tasks and reflect on growth, needs, and aspirations.
5. Hot Air Balloon 🎈
A cousin of the Sailboat, but with a twist.
How it works:
- Draw a hot air balloon.
- Ballast (weights) are things holding the team back.
- Flames (fire under the balloon) are things pushing the team up.
- Clouds above are potential risks.
Why it works:
A fresh metaphor that adds energy and imagination to the discussion.
6. Timeline of Emotions 📅💭
Perfect after long projects.
How it works:
- Draw a timeline of the sprint/project.
- Ask the team to plot emotions along the way (highs, lows, frustrations).
- Talk about patterns.
Why it works:
It uncovers hidden stress points or moments of motivation that can guide future planning.
7. The Starfish ⭐
For teams that need balance in feedback.
How it works:
- Draw a starfish with five categories: Start, Stop, Continue, More Of, Less Of.
- Team adds sticky notes to each.
- Prioritize as a group.
Why it works:
It creates nuance. Instead of only focusing on what to start/stop, it highlights intensity (more/less).
8. Dot Voting 🎯
When the board is full of sticky notes and decisions feel overwhelming.
How it works:
- Everyone gets a few “votes” (dots, stickers, or virtual clicks).
- They place votes on the most important items.
- Top-voted topics guide the discussion.
Why it works:
It prevents endless debates and ensures the team tackles what matters most.
9. The Weather Report 🌦️
Because sometimes the mood of the sprint says it all.
How it works:
- Ask everyone to describe the sprint as a weather forecast: sunny, stormy, cloudy, rainbow-y.
- Collect responses and discuss why.
Why it works:
It’s lighthearted but quickly reveals team morale.
10. Appreciation Round 🌟
End on a high note by celebrating the good stuff.
How it works:
- Each person shares one appreciation for a teammate or the team as a whole.
- Keep it genuine and positive.
Why it works:
Retrospectives can lean negatively. Ending with appreciation builds trust and keeps morale strong.
Love it—let’s supercharge the list with five more creative retrospective games (so you’ll have 15 total). Keeping them fun, detailed but not too wordy:
11. The Speedboat 🚤
Similar to the sailboat, but with a fast-paced vibe.
How it works:
- The speedboat represents the team racing toward a goal.
- Engines = things that propel you forward.
- Anchors = what slows you down.
- Sharks = risks or threats lurking nearby.
Why it works:
The “sharks” metaphor sparks lively discussion about external blockers, not just internal ones.
12. Lean Coffee ☕
Perfect for teams who like unstructured, democratic discussions.
How it works:
- Everyone suggests topics on sticky notes.
- The group votes on what to discuss first.
- Conversations are timeboxed (with an option to extend if valuable).
Why it works:
It keeps retros short, focused, and team-driven instead of facilitator-led.
13. The Happiness Radar 📊
A quick pulse-check on team morale.
How it works:
- Draw a radar/spider chart with categories like teamwork, communication, workload, and progress.
- Team members rate each area from one to five.
- Compare results visually and discuss gaps.
Why it works:
It makes team sentiment visible and measurable, giving clarity on where improvements are most needed.
14. The Movie Critic 🎬
Because every sprint deserves a review.
How it works:
- Ask everyone to rate the sprint like a movie: one to five stars.
- Bonus: ask for a title and a short review.
- Discuss why people rated it the way they did.
Why it works:
It’s playful and encourages creativity while surfacing honest feedback.
15. The ESVP (Explorer, Shopper, Vacationer, Prisoner) 🧭
A quick way to gauge retrospective engagement.
How it works:
- Ask team members to anonymously choose one role:
- Explorer: eager to dig in and learn
- Shopper: looks for one or two useful takeaways
- Vacationer: here to relax and observe
- Prisoner: feels forced to attend
- Reveal results and talk about engagement levels.
Why it works:
It surfaces how invested people are in the retro itself—so you can address disengagement early.
With these games in your toolkit, retrospectives stop being “that meeting everyone dreads” and start becoming an energizing, collaborative ritual. Whether your team is visual, analytical, or just needs a dose of fun, there’s a game here that’ll make reflection feel less like a chore and more like a team win.
How to Pick the Right Retro Game
With so many games to choose from, it can be tempting to try them all at once. But not every activity will land the same way with every team. Here are a few tips to help you pick the right one:
- Match the mood: If the team feels drained, keep it light with something like Weather Report or Movie Critic. If they’re energized, go deeper with 4Ls or Starfish.
- Check your timebox: Quick games like Dot Voting work when you only have 15 minutes. Activities like Lean Coffee or Timeline of Emotions need more space.
- Think about goals: Want to spark creativity? Go with Sailboat or Hot Air Balloon. Need raw honesty? Mad Sad Glad or ESVP works better.
- Mix it up: Using the same format every retro can get stale. Rotate games to keep things fresh and prevent retro fatigue.
The key? Choose activities that encourage open conversation without overwhelming the team. Retrospectives work best when they’re engaging, not exhausting.
Tips to Keep Retrospective Games Fun (Without Losing Focus) 🥳
Retrospectives should never feel like another line item on the calendar. Games help, but a few extra touches can keep the energy high and the conversation meaningful:
- Switch facilitators: Let different team members lead the retro from time to time. It keeps things fresh and gives everyone ownership.
- Use props or visuals: Even if you’re remote, digital whiteboards, emojis, or Miro/MURAL templates add life to the discussion.
- Celebrate small wins: Don’t skip over achievements—give space to shout out teammates or highlight what went well.
- Keep it timeboxed: Fun doesn’t mean endless. Stick to a clear agenda so people stay engaged instead of zoning out.
- End on a positive note: Always close with appreciation or a quick energizer—so the retro feels motivating, not draining.
Think of it like hosting a game night: people show up for fun, but they stay when the vibe is right and everyone feels included.
Wrapping It Up 🎁
Retrospectives don’t have to be the snooze-fest of the sprint. With the right games, you can turn them into collaborative, energetic sessions where everyone feels heard—and maybe even has a little fun along the way. From visuals like the Sailboat to lighthearted icebreakers like the Movie Critic, there’s a format to fit every team’s mood, energy, and goals.
The secret is mixing things up, keeping it engaging, and remembering that retros aren’t about the format—they’re about sparking real conversations that lead to better teamwork.
So, pick one of these games, try it out in your next retro, and see how your team reacts. Who knows? You might turn “ugh, another retro” into a meeting people actually look forward to.
