Name and Purpose
- Ten Fingers is a quick getting-to-know-you activity that reveals surprising things people have in common.
- Participants practise self-disclosure and active listening in a low-stakes, playful format.
a.k.a.
- Never Have I Ever (camp edition), Fingers Down
Age / Group / Time / Space
- Ages 8-16 | 8-30 players | 10-20 minutes | Any circle space indoors or outdoors; seated on chairs, floor, or grass
Materials
- No materials required
- Optional: a small soft talking object to pass around and mark whose turn it is
Quick-Run Card
- Group sits in a circle with all 10 fingers raised.
- One person shares a fact about themselves (e.g. “I have never been to the ocean”).
- Anyone for whom that is also true puts one finger down.
- Go around the circle; each person shares one fact on their turn.
- Wrap up with a moment of appreciation for what was discovered.
Setup and Boundaries
- No physical boundaries needed; the circle itself is the boundary
- Signal: raised hand from staff = everyone pauses
- Seats or spots should be close enough that everyone can hear clearly without shouting
How to Play
- Everyone sits in a circle with all ten fingers raised (or holds up ten fingers if standing).
- The staff member starts by sharing one personal fact: something they have never done, somewhere they have never been, or something unique about them. Example: “I have never eaten sushi.”
- Everyone who shares that same experience puts one finger down.
- The turn passes to the next person clockwise. They share one fact.
- Continue around the circle. Each person takes one turn.
- The round ends when everyone has shared, or when the time limit is reached.
- Celebrate connections: “Look how many of us have that in common!”
Note on “winning”: the original version framed the last person with fingers remaining as the winner. This version removes that framing. The goal is connection, not competition. If the group enjoys tracking fingers, frame it as curiosity rather than a contest.
I-OPt Options
- A (Active): Share a creative or unexpected fact; react enthusiastically when fingers go down
- S (Support): Share a gentle, easy fact that helps others feel comfortable going first
- Q (Quiet): Share a short, simple fact; put fingers down quietly without commentary
- O (Observer): Watch one full round before joining; enter on the second round if desired
Inclusion Adaptations
- Participants who prefer not to share verbally can hold up a written card with their fact, or staff can share on their behalf
- For participants with limited hand mobility, any counting method (tokens, tally marks, nodding) works equally well
Stewardship Moment
- This activity uses no materials and leaves no trace
- Reflection: “We just found out things we have in common with people we didn’t expect. How might that change how we see each other this week?”
Consent
- Pre-brief: “We’re going to share interesting facts about ourselves. You get to choose what you share. For those not comfortable sharing out loud, there are other ways to participate.”
- Mid-game check: Staff watches for discomfort if topics become personal; gently redirect with a lighthearted example if needed.
- Opt-out/re-entry: Participants can say “pass” on their turn, put fingers down without explanation, and re-enter any time.
Risks and Mitigation
- Shares become too personal or uncomfortable: staff model light, fun examples at the start to set the tone
- Competitive dynamics resurface: reframe aloud: “There’s no losing here. We’re just finding out what we share.”
- Very large groups make rounds too long: set a 15-minute timer and stop at a natural pause point
Warm-Up Suggestions
- “Two Truths, One Stretch”: each person shares two true facts and one exaggerated one; group guesses which is stretched
- Quick round of “stand up if you…” to warm up the idea of sharing commonalities
Debrief Questions
- What? “What’s one fact you shared that surprised people? What’s one you heard that surprised you?”
- So What? “What did you notice about what we have in common as a group?”
- Now What? “Is there someone you’d like to ask more about something they shared today?”
Cleanup and Reset
- No cleanup needed
- Return any talking object to its storage spot
