The Jar
Description
A fast-thinking vocabulary game where players list items from a chosen category without repeating.
Details

Mixed Age

Any number of players

10 to 30 minutes

Materials required
Tags
Communication, Icebreaker, Focused, Classroom Management, Listening Skills, Auditory Memory

Instructions:
1. Gather two or more players and sit or stand in a circle.
2. Choose a category such as "Things in a kitchen" or "Animals."
3. Decide the turn order and set a time limit per turn (e.g., 3–5 seconds).
4. The first player names an item that fits the category.
5. The next player quickly names a different item from the same category.
6. Play continues with each player adding a new item without repeating.
7. If a player repeats an item or takes too long, they’re out or the round ends.
8. start a new round with a fresh category when the current one ends.
Variations & tips:
1. Make it harder by choosing very specific or unusual categories like "green fruits" or "things that fly."
Related Activities
Street Storm
Mubarak Shaikh

7 - 10 years, 11 - 19 years

Any number of players

Flexible Duration

No materials
Rounders

Mixed Age

Any number of players

Flexible Duration

Materials required
Bridges

Mixed Age

Any number of players

5 to 10 minutes

No materials
Nim

7 - 10 years, 11 - 19 years, Adults

Pairs

Less than 5 minutes

Materials required
Sim

1 - 6 years, 7 - 10 years

Less Than 10

5 to 10 minutes

No materials
Mirror Charades

Mixed Age

Any number of players

10 to 30 minutes

No materials
Paper Connect Four

Mixed Age

Less Than 10

5 to 10 minutes

Materials required
Silent Ball

1 - 6 years, 7 - 10 years

Any number of players

5 to 10 minutes

Materials required
Buzz

11 - 19 years, Adults, 7 - 10 years

More Than 10

Flexible Duration

No materials
7 Fingers

Mixed Age

Any number of players

5 to 10 minutes

No materials
Paper Wordle

7 - 10 years, 11 - 19 years, Adults

Less Than 10

10 to 30 minutes

Materials required
Bananagrams

7 - 10 years, 11 - 19 years, Adults

Less Than 10

Flexible Duration

Materials required
Sack Race

1 - 6 years, 7 - 10 years, 11 - 19 years

Any number of players

10 to 30 minutes

Materials required
Indoor Obstacle Course

Mixed Age

Individual

10 to 30 minutes

Materials required
Eraser Tag

7 - 10 years, 11 - 19 years

Less Than 10

10 to 30 minutes

Materials required
Bob Ball

1 - 6 years, 7 - 10 years

Any number of players

10 to 30 minutes

Materials required
Secret Scrap

1 - 6 years, 7 - 10 years

Any number of players

Less than 5 minutes

No materials
Scrambled Eggs!

Mixed Age

Any number of players

Flexible Duration

No materials
Line Up, Line Up!

Mixed Age

Any number of players

5 to 10 minutes

No materials
Minute to Win It

Mixed Age

Any number of players

5 to 10 minutes

Materials required
Airplane Competition

1 - 6 years, 7 - 10 years

Any number of players

5 to 10 minutes

Materials required
All Aboard the Colour Train

1 - 6 years

Any number of players

Flexible Duration

Materials required
Animal Noises

1 - 6 years

Any number of players

Flexible Duration

Materials required
Animal Race

1 - 6 years, 7 - 10 years

Any number of players

Flexible Duration

Materials required
Behind Your Back

7 - 10 years, 11 - 19 years, Adults

Any number of players

Flexible Duration

Materials required
Blindfold Course

Mixed Age

Any number of players

10 to 30 minutes

Materials required
Blindfold Guessing

Mixed Age

Any number of players

5 to 10 minutes

Materials required
Directions

Mixed Age

Any number of players

5 to 10 minutes

Materials required
Pin the Tail on the Animal

1 - 6 years, 7 - 10 years

Any number of players

5 to 10 minutes

Materials required
Time Bomb

7 - 10 years, 11 - 19 years

Any number of players

10 to 30 minutes

Materials required
What’s Missing?

7 - 10 years, 11 - 19 years, Adults

Any number of players

10 to 30 minutes





