Table Topics Ideas

Here is a list of Table Topics variations that I've found fun and challenging. A good Table Topic bring speakers outside their comfort zones so they can grow. And a great topic adds both pressure and humor to a meeting.

I encourage you to try some of these Table Topics ideas in your meetings!

With Restrictions

  1. No movements – the speaker may only use facial expressions and voice.
  2. Eyes closed – the speaker uses only the voice to capture the audience.
  3. Extreme pauses – The speaker must wait 10 seconds between sentences.
  4. No speaking – The speaker practices telling stories with body language only.

Explain the item

The Table Topics speaker gets an item to explain and demonstrate to the audience.
  1. Strange item. What is it?
  2. Common item, alternative uses – The speaker explains how it can be used differently.
  3. Interesting scents – The get something that smells, a herb for example, and explains it.
  4. The speaker gets a book and pretends to be the author selling it.

Motivating Toastmasters

Let the speakers motivate each other to join and stay in Toastmasters. They get to practice motivation skills and help the club at the same time!
  1. Let the speaker market Toastmasters. Why should people join?
  2. Motivating – The speaker should motivate people to stay in Toastmasters for life.
  3. Common Objections – The speaker answer common objections about Toastmasters, e.g. too much work load, too scary, slow growth, etc.

Debates

Speakers get a current topic to debate on.
  1. Pro vs. Con – Speakers go up in pairs. One speak for and another against something.
  2. Everyone disagrees – each speaker disagrees with previous speakers. Can be very entertaining!
  3. Quick debates – first speaker speak for 30 seconds, then the next speaker replies for 30 seconds, then first speaker replies, and so on.

Storytelling

  1. Storytelling chain – The first speaker starts a story, the next speaker continues, and the last speaker ends.
  2. Personal story – Speakers talk about personal challenges and how they overcome them.
  3. Living scenes – Speakers tell a story with as much sensory detail as possible – visuals, smells, sounds, etc.
If you want more tips for check out how to be a Table Topics Master.