Who Am I ?

Name and Purpose

Who Am I? is a listening and recognition game that builds connection through playful disguise.
Players practise vocal creativity, spatial awareness, and trusting their senses.

a.k.a.

Age / Group / Time / Space

Ages 8-16 | 8-25 players | 10-20 minutes | Indoor gym or outdoor flat space; circle roughly 5m diameter

Materials

Quick-Run Card

Group forms a circle; Guesser stands in the centre.
Staff gently spins the Guesser; group walks quietly in the opposite direction and stops.
Guesser points and names an animal.
The person pointed at makes that animal’s sound.
Guesser identifies the person; swap roles and repeat.

Setup and Boundaries

Mark the circle boundary so players know where to stand (rope, cones, or natural markers).
Signal: one clap = freeze; two claps = gather.
Check the ground for uneven surfaces, particularly for the Guesser moving in the centre.
Staff stands close to the Guesser to assist with balance and orientation.

How to Play

One player volunteers to be the Guesser and stands in the centre.
The Guesser closes their eyes or wears a blindfold. Staff spins them gently three times.
The group walks slowly in the opposite direction, then stops when staff calls ‘Freeze.’
The Guesser points in any direction and names an animal (e.g., ‘cow,’ ‘frog,’ ‘lion’).
The person being pointed at makes that animal’s sound as creatively as they like.
The Guesser has two guesses to name that person.
Whether right or wrong, roles swap: the person who made the sound becomes the new Guesser.

I-OPt Options

Start: A (Active) , volunteer to be the first Guesser | S (Support) , help steady the Guesser during spinning | Q (Quiet) , join the circle and wait for your turn | O (Observer) , watch the first round from just outside the circle
Mid: A (Active) , make the most dramatic animal sound you can | S (Support) , help remind the circle to stay quiet until pointed at | Q (Quiet) , make a soft, minimal animal sound | O (Observer) , track guesses and cheer correct ones
Late: A (Active) , take a second or third turn as Guesser | S (Support) , coach a shy player on which animal sound is fun and easy | Q (Quiet) , participate from a spot in the circle, no pressure to be extra loud | O (Observer) , count how many correct guesses the group gets together
End: A (Active) , lead the debrief | S (Support) , help gather the group | Q (Quiet) , share one word | O (Observer) , listen in

Inclusion Adaptations

Players not comfortable with blindfolds can close their eyes or simply look at the ground. Staff confirms privately: ‘Eyes closed works perfectly.’
Players with vocal limitations can use a noise-maker, clap a rhythm, or tap a drum pad in place of a vocal animal sound.

Stewardship Moment

Store blindfolds in a clean bag for reuse. Wipe down with a damp cloth between rounds if shared.
Reflect: ‘We made a lot of noise together. What did it feel like to be in the middle, depending only on your ears?’

Consent

Pre-brief: ‘This game involves closing your eyes or wearing a blindfold while standing in the middle of the group. For those not comfortable with blindfolds or being in the centre, there are plenty of roles in the circle, and you can join as the Guesser whenever you’re ready.’
Mid-game check: After two rounds, pause. ‘How is everyone doing? Thumbs up, sideways, or down.’
Opt-out/re-entry: Any player can step back from the Guesser role by saying ‘pass.’ They return to the circle and can volunteer again any time.

Risks and Mitigation

Guesser losing balance while spinning: staff stands within arm’s reach to steady them.
Guesser stepping outside the safe zone: place a rope circle or hoop at their feet as a tactile boundary.
Players mocking unusual voices: address briefly in the pre-brief: ‘All sounds are great sounds here.’

Warm-Up Suggestions

‘Animal Walk’: everyone moves around the space as their favourite animal for 30 seconds.
‘Echo Circle’: one person makes a sound; the group echoes it back, then the next person adds a new one.

Debrief Questions

What? ‘How many correct guesses did we get? What helped you figure it out?’
So What? ‘What does it feel like to be in the middle, relying on your ears and your instincts?’
Now What? ‘When in real life do you have to pay close attention to someone’s voice or tone to understand them?’

Cleanup and Reset