Yes or No Mysteries

The host describes a puzzling situation and the group asks yes-or-no questions to uncover the hidden story behind it.

How to play

Prepare three or four short mysteries, each a strange scene with a simple hidden explanation.
Read the first one aloud, for example: Every morning a dog leaves the bakery with a paper bag and never eats what is inside. Why?
Players ask questions that the host can answer only with yes, no or not important.
Encourage the group to build on each other's questions and test theories out loud.
When someone explains the whole story, confirm it, such as the dog carrying fresh bread home to its owner.
If the group is stuck after about eight minutes, give one hint, then move to the next mystery once it is solved.

Another starter: a man asks a shop clerk for a glass of water, the clerk suddenly yells boo, and the man thanks him and leaves. He had hiccups.
Invite quieter players by name to ask the next question, so the loudest guessers do not take over.
On a video call, have people raise a virtual hand to ask in turn.

Team race: two teams take turns asking, and the team that solves it scores a point.
Bring your own: after a few rounds, invite someone to bring a mystery for the next session.