Where Can I Go

Name and Purpose

• Where Can I Go is a gentle thinking game that rewards patient observation over quick guessing.
• Players practise listening, pattern recognition, and staying curious without pressure.

a.k.a.

• Sally’s Green Glass Door, Green Glass Door

Age / Group / Time / Space

• Ages 8-16 | 8-30 players | 10-20 minutes | Any indoor or outdoor space where the group can sit or stand in a circle or loose cluster

Materials

• None required

Quick-Run Card

1. Gather the group in a circle or seated arrangement.
2. Leader explains they will decide who can go and who can’t, but won’t reveal the rule yet.
3. Players take turns asking: ‘Can I go to [place 1], [place 2], and [place 3]?’
4. Leader answers yes or no based on the secret pattern: pausing briefly between place names earns a yes; rushing through earns a no.
5. Play continues until someone figures out the pattern, then they become the new leader.

Setup and Boundaries

• No physical boundaries needed; this is a seated or standing circle game.
• Signal: raise a hand to pause the game if needed.
• No physical hazards; check seating surface is comfortable.

How to Play

1. The group sits or stands so everyone can see and hear the leader.
2. The leader quietly holds the pattern rule: pausing between each place name = allowed to go; rushing = not allowed.
3. One player at a time asks: ‘Can I go to [place 1], [place 2], and [place 3]?’
4. The leader answers yes or no, giving no additional hints.
5. Players who think they’ve figured out the pattern can whisper it to the leader to check. If correct, they become a co-leader or take the lead next round.
6. The round ends when most of the group has discovered the pattern, or the leader chooses to reveal it.

I-OPt Options

• Start: A (Active) , ask three places enthusiastically and listen for feedback | S (Support) , help a newer player think of three places to name | Q (Quiet) , listen carefully before taking a turn | O (Observer) , watch the pattern from the outside, choose when to join
• Mid: A (Active) , keep guessing and testing the theory | S (Support) , quietly share a hint with a friend who looks confused | Q (Quiet) , sit back and observe a few more rounds | O (Observer) , track yes/no answers on a piece of paper
• Late: A (Active) , take over as leader once the pattern clicks | S (Support) , help the leader run the next round | Q (Quiet) , enjoy watching others figure it out | O (Observer) , stay watching until ready
• End: A (Active) , lead a debrief discussion | S (Support) , help gather the group for the debrief | Q (Quiet) , share one word about how the game felt | O (Observer) , listen and nod along

Inclusion Adaptations

• Players who are non-verbal or quieter can write or point to their three places on a card or device.
• No physical movement required, making this fully accessible for players with mobility needs.

Stewardship Moment

• No materials means no cleanup needed. Briefly note: ‘No stuff, no waste. That’s a win.’
• Optional reflection: ‘What did you notice about the space while you were waiting and watching?’

Consent

• Pre-brief: ‘This game involves listening carefully and figuring out a hidden pattern. There’s no wrong answer, just guesses. For those who’d rather watch and join in when they’re ready, that’s completely fine.’
• Mid-game check: After a few rounds, pause and ask: ‘How are we doing? Anyone want to jump in or step back a bit?’
• Opt-out/re-entry: Players can pass their turn at any time by saying ‘pass.’ They can jump back in the next round.

Risks and Mitigation

• Frustration from not understanding the pattern: remind players there’s no penalty for wrong guesses, and the pattern will be revealed at the end if needed.
• One player dominating: gently rotate turns so everyone gets a chance.
• Pattern spoiled early: leaders can nod to correct guessers privately and swear them in as co-leaders rather than announcing it aloud.

Warm-Up Suggestions

• ‘Three Truths’: each person names three things about themselves, two true and one invented. No guessing yet, just sharing.
• ‘Copycat Circle’: leader makes a subtle motion and the group slowly picks it up without announcing it.

Debrief Questions

• What? ‘What did you notice the leader doing each time they said yes?’
• So What? ‘What does it feel like to keep trying when you don’t know the rules yet?’
• Now What? ‘Where in your daily life do you have to stay patient while figuring something out?’

Cleanup and Reset

• Nothing to collect.
• Check that everyone is included in the debrief before moving on.
• For those not comfortable with any part of this activity, observing or taking a different role is another option.