Hot Pepper

Name and Purpose

• Hot Pepper is a fast-paced circle game that builds listening, reaction time, and group energy.
• Players practise quick thinking, following fun instructions, and creating their own actions.

a.k.a.

• Circle Catch, Action Ball

Age / Group / Time / Space

• Ages 8-16 | 8-30 players | 10-20 minutes | Medium open space, indoors or outdoors

Materials

• 1 playground ball, volleyball, or soft foam ball
• Flat even surface

Quick-Run Card

1. Players stand in a circle. Leader stands in the centre.
2. Leader calls “hot pepper” and throws the ball to a player.
3. Player throws it straight back.
4. Leader calls an action word (e.g., “asparagus”) , everyone does the matching action.
5. If a player drops the ball, they invent a new action word and action for the group.

Setup and Boundaries

• Players stand in a circle with enough space to catch and throw comfortably.
• Signal: 1 clap from the Leader = pause; 2 claps = end of round.
• Staff should be aware of any players with hand or shoulder sensitivities.

How to Play

1. Players stand in a circle. The Leader stands in the centre with the ball.
2. The Leader throws the ball to a player and calls “hot pepper.”
3. The player catches it and throws it straight back to the Leader.
4. The Leader can call an action word at any time. When they do, everyone does the matching action:

• “Asparagus”: jump up and down twice and call “woo woo” (players who prefer not to jump raise their arms instead)
• “Broccoli”: wave both hands wildly and call “ooga ooga ooga”

5. New action words can be added at any time. The Leader or any player can suggest one.
6. If a player drops the ball, they earn the honour of inventing a new action word and action for the whole group to learn.
7. No one leaves the circle. Everyone plays every round.
8. Rotate the Leader role every 3-5 minutes.

I-OPt Options

• Start
• A (Active): Stand in the circle ready to catch and throw
• S (Support): Help the Leader keep track of who hasn’t had a turn yet
• Q (Quiet): Stand in the circle and do the actions at lower intensity
• O (Observer): Watch the first round, learn the action words, then join
• Mid
• A (Active): Catch, throw, and do all the actions with full energy
• S (Support): Lead the group in an action word when the Leader invites it
• Q (Quiet): Participate with upper-body actions only, skip jumping
• O (Observer): Track how many action words are introduced in one round
• Late
• A (Active): Volunteer to become the next Leader
• S (Support): Help the Leader remember all the action words in play
• Q (Quiet): Stay in the circle without taking the Leader role
• O (Observer): Step back, watch, and re-enter when ready
• End
• A (Active): Suggest a favourite action word to keep for next time
• S (Support): Help return the ball and tidy the space
• Q (Quiet): Join the group for debrief
• O (Observer): Share what they noticed about the group’s energy

Inclusion Adaptations

• Players who cannot stand or jump can participate from a seated position, using arm and upper-body movements for all actions.
• For players with limited grip or throwing ability, the ball can be rolled across the circle instead of thrown.

Stewardship Moment

• One ball, endlessly reused. The action words live in memory.
• Reflection: “We built a whole game together with one ball and our imagination. What else can you make with what’s already around you?”

Consent

• Pre-brief: “This game involves catching and throwing. For those not comfortable with the throw speed, we can adjust the distance or switch to a softer ball.”
• Mid-game check: After 5 minutes, pause. “Is the throwing speed working for everyone? Any adjustments?”
• Opt-out/re-entry: Any player can step back from the circle and watch, then step back in between throws.

Risks and Mitigation

• Ball thrown too hard: remind Leader to throw at a catchable pace, not maximum speed
• Players feeling embarrassed about dropping: reframe the drop as a creative opportunity (inventing a new action) to remove any sting
• Circle getting too large to throw accurately: reduce to two smaller circles if the group is over 20 players

Warm-Up Suggestions

• “Name and Toss”: players simply call each other’s names and toss the ball gently to warm up hands and build attention
• “Two-Hand Clap”: everyone claps a rhythm together for 30 seconds to sync the group’s energy

Debrief Questions

• What? “What was your favourite action word? Who invented it?”
• So What? “What does it feel like when the whole group does something silly together at the same time?”
• Now What? “What’s one thing you learned today that you could teach someone else?”

Cleanup and Reset

• Return ball to storage.
• 30-second check of the play space.