A What?

This circle passing game creates infectious laughter through its delightfully confusing pattern of responses. A What? transforms a simple object-passing activity into an engaging challenge of memory and timing. Teachers and group facilitators value how this circle passing game naturally builds concentration and group cohesion whilst creating moments of hilarious confusion. The blend of pattern recognition and playful interaction makes it perfect for youth groups, camps or classroom settings where building a positive group atmosphere is essential.

A What? – Circle Passing Game

1. Form a circle of 12 to 20 people, including you.
2. Announce that all interactions in the game will look and sound similar to what is about to happen between you and your partner.
3. To demonstrate, turn to the person on your left, show the soft toy in your hand and say:
   You – “THIS IS A WHAT.”
   Partner – “A WHAT?”
   You – “THIS IS A MERRY MILKY MOO-MOO” (or another nonsensical name.)
4. Now, encourage your partner to take the toy and say with great delight “AHHH, A MERRY MILKY MOO-MOO.”
5. Next, guide your partner to turn to the person on their left and repeat the process by saying “THIS IS A WHAT.”
6. This time, when their partner responds with “A WHAT?” your partner (the person still holding the toy) must resist the temptation to reply and instead, turns to their right-hand partner (you) and repeats this question (“A WHAT?”) to you.
7. You say “A MERRY MILKY MOO-MOO.”
8. Your partner repeats this to their left-hand partner, who will respond with a delighted “AHHH, A MERRY MILKY MOO-MOO.”
9. In short, every time a new person is introduced to the game and responds with “A WHAT?” this question is passed from person to person between the one holding the toy until it reaches you.
10. In response, your answer of “A MERRY MILKY MOO-MOO” is passed from person to person until the newest person receives it in delight.
11. This sequence of responses and passing of soft toys continues all the way around the circle until the person on your right finally engages with you by announcing “THIS IS A WHAT.”
12. To conclude, you take the toy and say “INDEED IT IS.”