Name in a Box

Name and Purpose

• Name in a Box is a welcoming warm-up for the first day together.
• Players practise saying and hearing each other’s names in a playful, low-pressure way.

a.k.a.

• Jack in the Box Name Game, Pop-Up Name Game

Age / Group / Time / Space

• Ages 5-9 | 8-25 players | 10-15 minutes | Any circle space indoors or outdoors

Materials

• No materials required

Quick-Run Card

1. Group stands in a circle. One player steps to the middle and crouches down.
2. The group sings the rhyme using the middle player’s name.
3. On ‘up you go!’ the middle player jumps up and shows their favourite pose.
4. Group cheers and applauds.
5. Next player steps in. Continue until everyone has had a turn.

Setup and Boundaries

• Form a circle with enough space for one player to crouch and jump safely in the middle.
• Signal: raise your hand and call ‘Pause’ to stop the group at any time.
• Check the floor for hazards (wet spots, uneven ground) before starting.

How to Play

1. One player steps to the middle and crouches down, arms covering their head.
2. The group sings together: ‘[Name]’s in the box, squat down low! [Name]’s in the box, squat down low! When you are ready, up you go!’
3. On ‘up you go!’ the player in the middle stands up and strikes their favourite pose.
4. Everyone cheers and applauds.
5. The player returns to the circle and the next person steps in.
6. Continue until every player has had a turn in the middle.

I-OPt Options

• A (Active): Step into the middle and perform a big, energetic pose.
• S (Support): Sing extra enthusiastically to help the person in the middle feel celebrated.
• Q (Quiet): Participate in singing from the circle at a comfortable volume.
• O (Observer): Watch and choose to join when ready. No pressure to go in the middle.

Inclusion Adaptations

• Players who prefer not to crouch can stand in the middle with arms out or eyes closed instead.
• Poses can be seated, one-armed, or hands-only for players with mobility differences.

Stewardship Moment

• No materials used, so cleanup is instant.
• Reflection: ‘This game costs nothing and takes up almost no space. What other games can we play anywhere?’

Consent

• Pre-brief: ‘This game puts one person in the spotlight for a moment. For those not comfortable being in the middle, cheering from the circle is just as important.’
• Mid-game check: After a few rounds, ask for a thumbs up, sideways, or down to see how everyone is feeling.
• Opt-out/re-entry: Any player can pass their turn and join the next round when ready.

Risks and Mitigation

• Jumping on uneven ground: check the surface before play and remind players not to jump too high.
• Younger players may feel shy in the spotlight: normalise small or quiet poses before the game starts.

Warm-Up Suggestions

• Ask everyone to shake out their arms and legs before the first round.
• Do a quick ‘practice pose’ where everyone in the circle shows their pose at the same time.

Debrief Questions

• What? ‘What did you notice about the different poses people chose?’
• So What? ‘How did it feel to have everyone say your name and cheer for you?’
• Now What? ‘How can we help each other feel that welcome every day at camp?’

Cleanup and Reset

• No cleanup required.
• Thank the group and name 2-3 poses you noticed to close the game.