Squares

Name and Purpose

Squares is a light, playful get-to-know-you game where players choose how much they want to share before they know what they are signing up for.
It builds connection through personal sharing in a low-stakes, funny format.

a.k.a.

Age / Group / Time / Space

Ages 8-16 | 6-40 players | 10-20 minutes | Seated circle or around tables, indoor or outdoor

Materials

One roll of toilet paper (store between sessions; reuse each time)
Waste-free alternative: numbered index cards (1-10) or a dice roll to determine how many shares each player makes

Quick-Run Card

Pass the toilet paper roll. Each player takes as many squares as they want (limit: 5-50; do not explain why).
Once everyone has squares, reveal: each square = one thing to share about yourself.
First square must be your name.
Go around the circle. Each player shares one fact per square until their stack is done.
Close with a quick debrief.

Setup and Boundaries

How to Play

Players sit in a circle or around tables.
The leader passes the toilet paper roll. Each player tears off as many squares as they want, within a limit of 5 to 50. Do not tell them why yet.
Once everyone has their squares, the leader reveals: “Each square you are holding represents one thing you will share about yourself. The first square is your name.”
Starting with the leader (who models a warm, short share), go around the circle. Each player shares one fact per square until their squares are all used.
Players who took very few squares will share briefly. Players who took many will share more. Both are celebrated.
No one is required to share anything personal. Facts can be simple: a favourite colour, a food they dislike, a place they have been.

I-OPt Options

A (Active): Take more squares and share a variety of creative or surprising facts.
S (Support): Respond warmly to each share with a nod, smile, or brief “me too.”
Q (Quiet): Take fewer squares and share simple, comfortable facts.
O (Observer): Hold the roll without tearing any squares; share one fact when the round reaches you if you feel ready.

Inclusion Adaptations

Players who do not want to share verbally may write their facts on the squares and hold them up.
The waste-free alternative (numbered cards or a dice roll) works identically and removes any hygiene or sensory concerns about toilet paper.

Stewardship Moment

Store the toilet paper roll after use; do not discard it. It lasts many sessions.
The waste-free alternative (numbered cards) is the zero-waste version; encourage groups to try it.
Reflection: “You made a choice without knowing the full picture. How does that connect to real decisions you make every day?”

Consent

Pre-brief: “We are going to pass something around and each person takes as many as they want. For those who would rather take very few, that is completely fine. For those who would rather use a number card instead of the paper, I have those too.”
Mid-game check: After the reveal moment, pause. “Now that you know what we are doing, everyone still feeling okay? Thumbs up, sideways, or down.”
Opt-out/re-entry: Players may skip any share by saying “pass” on that square. They may add it back in at the end of their round if they choose.

Risks and Mitigation

Players feeling put on the spot after taking many squares: reassure the group that shares can be as light as “my favourite colour is green.”
Hygiene concerns with passing a toilet paper roll: the numbered card alternative eliminates this concern entirely.
The “reveal” moment feeling like a trick: frame it with warmth and humour from the start; the leader goes first and shares comfortably.

Warm-Up Suggestions

“Two Truths”: each player shares two true things about themselves, just to get comfortable talking.
“Round of Favourites”: go around quickly and each player names their favourite food.

Debrief Questions

What? “What surprised you about how many squares you ended up with?”
So What? “What did you learn about someone in this group that you did not know before?”
Now What? “How might knowing these things help us get along better this week?”

Cleanup and Reset