Name Associations

Summary: A fun and effective way to learn names!

Instructions: 

  1. Have players sit in a circle. Tell them they are going to play a name game to help them get to know each other.
  2. Each player will say their name and they are going to a picnic. They should then say they are bringing a food that starts with the same letter as their first name. For example, the first player says, “My name is Tom, I’m going to a picnic and I’m bringing tamales.”
  3. Each successive player in the circle should introduce everyone who came before them in order, including their picnic food, before saying their own name and food.
  4. Continue until everyone has had a turn. The person going last will have the most difficult turn!

Debrief Questions:

  • Was that a good way to learn names?
  • Did the foods help your memory?

Activity Length: Short (<15 minutes)

Energy Level: Low

Grade Level: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th

Group Size: Large (10+), Medium (5-9)