Who Am I?

Set up

Write the name of a well-known person or character on a sticky note for each player. Stick one on every player’s forehead or back without letting them see it. As a shortcut, have each player write a name and stick it on the person to their left.

How to play

Mingling version, best for parties:

1. Everyone walks around the room.
2. You may ask each person you meet one yes-or-no question about your own name, and you must answer one about theirs.
3. Then move on to someone else.
4. When you think you know, ask “Am I…?” If you are right, move the note to your chest and keep helping others.
5. Play until everyone has guessed, or call time after fifteen minutes and reveal the rest.

Seated version, best for a table:

1. Go around the circle. On your turn, ask the group one yes-or-no question.
2. If the answer is yes, ask another. If it is no, your turn ends.
3. The first to name themselves wins; carry on until the last player gets there.

Ways to change it

• Themed set: all names from one world, such as Christmas characters, monsters at Halloween, or people who made the news this year.
• Pairs: names come in famous pairs, and after guessing you have to find your partner. A neat way to split a group into twos for the next game.
• Objects, not people: easier for young children. You are a toaster, a giraffe, a snowman.
• Three clues: anyone stuck after five minutes may ask the room for a clue.

Who it suits, and who it doesn’t

The mingling version is a natural icebreaker, because it gives strangers a reason to talk and a script to follow. It works from about age eight. Choose names with care in mixed-age groups: a name a child has never heard leaves them stranded. Skip the forehead and use backs or name badges if anyone would rather not have a note stuck to their face.