Icebreakers

The Name Game

Each student says their name plus an alliterative word ("Jumping Jada"), and the next student repeats all the names before theirs. Helps everyone learn names fast.

  • 🎓 Grades K–12
  • ⏱ 10–15 min
  • 👥 Whole class in a circle
  • 📦 No prep
🎲 Another game

How to play The Name Game

  1. Students sit or stand in a circle.
  2. The first student says an adjective that starts with the same sound as their name, then their name ("Happy Hector").
  3. The next student repeats the first name, then adds their own.
  4. Continue around the circle, each student repeating all previous names.
  5. The teacher goes last and tries to say every name.

Variations

  • Add a gesture with each name for younger students.

💡 Teacher tips

  • In a large class, split into two circles so the last students are not overwhelmed.
How to play The Name Game: printable classroom rule card with the steps, time (10–15 min), grades k–12 and prep

📌 Rule card to print or pin

The rules of The Name Game on one card. Print it for the board or a sub folder, or save it to Pinterest for later.

Save to Pinterest Download / print rule card

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