Pass It On: A What?

Name and Purpose

• Pass It On: A What? is a quick-fire circle game that builds listening, timing, and a lot of laughs.
• Players practise active communication and staying focused under gentle pressure.

a.k.a.

• The Whit Game, Object Telephone

Age / Group / Time / Space

• Ages 8-16 | 10-40 players | 10-20 minutes | Seated circle; works indoors or outdoors

Materials

• 2 small distinct objects (one called the “whit,” one called the “watt”)
• Soft, easy-to-hold items work best (beanbag, small ball, knotted sock)

Quick-Run Card

1. Sit in a circle. Leader holds both objects.
2. Pass the “whit” right: “This is a whit.” Receiver: “A what?” Leader confirms. Chain continues.
3. Once the first object is circling steadily, send the “watt” in the opposite direction.
4. Both objects travel simultaneously with their own clarification chains.
5. Celebrate the crossing moments. Pause and reset whenever the group needs a breather.

Setup and Boundaries

• Seated circle; no physical boundaries needed
• Signal: one raised hand from leader = pause; two raised hands = stop
• Check that seated players are comfortable (chairs, floor cushions, grass)

How to Play

1. Everyone sits in a circle. Leader holds both objects.
2. Leader passes the first object to the right and says, “This is a whit.”
3. The receiver asks, “A what?” Leader confirms: “A whit.” Receiver passes it on, saying, “This is a whit.”
4. Each new person asks “A what?” and the question travels back to the leader, who confirms, then the answer travels forward again.
5. Once the first object is making steady progress, the leader sends the second object left, calling it the “watt.” The same clarification chain applies.
6. Both objects now circle in opposite directions. The fun begins when they cross!
7. No one is ever out. If someone fumbles or gets confused, the chain resets from the nearest person who still has it right.

I-OPt Options

• A (Active): Full verbal participant in both chains simultaneously
• S (Support): Keep one chain flowing; cue the person beside you gently
• Q (Quiet): Whisper the exchange rather than speaking aloud
• O (Observer): Watch from the circle; call out friendly encouragement; join in when ready

Inclusion Adaptations

• Players who are hard of hearing can use a visual cue card: hold up a card reading “A what?” instead of speaking
• Players who prefer not to pass objects can tap the next person’s hand as the signal instead

Stewardship Moment

• Objects used in this game can be everyday reusable items from around the cabin. No single-use materials needed.
• After play: return objects to where they came from.

Consent

• Pre-brief: “In a moment we’re going to pass two objects around the circle with a funny little conversation. You’ll hear how it works in the first round. If you’d like to watch the first pass before jumping in, that is a totally great choice.”
• Mid-game check: After the first complete circuit, pause. “Ready to add the second object? Thumbs up or sideways.”
• Opt-out/re-entry: Any player can simply hold the object a beat longer, pass it without the verbal chain, and re-engage whenever they like.

Risks and Mitigation

• Confusion leading to frustration: remind the group the mix-up is the game, not a failure
• Fast talkers dominating: encourage the group to take a breath between each pass

Warm-Up Suggestions

• “Name Ping-Pong”: pass eye contact around the circle and say your name before receiving
• Simple clap-pass around the circle to establish rhythm

Debrief Questions

• What? “What happened when the second object joined the circle?”
• So What? “What made it easier or harder to keep both chains going?”
• Now What? “When do you need to track two things at once in real life?”

Cleanup and Reset

• Collect both objects
• No physical space to reset