Get to Know You Game for Teens: The Object That Represents Me

Getting a group of teen girls comfortable with each other can take a little time. Some girls walk into a room ready to talk to everyone. Others are quieter and need a little help getting the conversation started.

This simple get-to-know-you game is a fun way to help girls learn each other's names while also discovering something unique about each person in the group.

And because the girls have to remember what everyone before them said, you can expect plenty of laughing along the way!

What You'll Need

Nothing!

You don't need to prepare supplies or print a worksheet. Simply have everyone sit in a circle where they can see and hear one another.

This makes it a great activity for a Bible study, youth group, retreat, small group, or the beginning of a new school year.

How to Play This Get to Know You Game for Teens

Explain to the girls that they are going to introduce themselves by sharing their name and an object that represents something about who they are.

It can be an object that represents their personality, interests, hobbies, something they love, or even something important in their story.

For example:

"My name is Ava, and my object is a basketball because I love playing basketball."

"My name is Sophie, and my object is a book because I love to read."

"My name is Mia, and my object is a paintbrush because I love creating things."

Or it can be completely fun:

"My name is Emma, and my object is a bag of Sour Patch Kids because I'm usually sweet, but I definitely have a sour side."

There are no perfect answers. The goal is simply to share a little piece of who you are.

Give everyone a minute to think of their object before you begin.

Here's Where It Gets Fun

The first girl says her name, her object, and why she chose it.

Then the second girl has to repeat the first girl's name and object before adding her own.

For example:

Girl #1:"My name is Ava, and my object is a basketball because I love basketball."

Girl #2:"This is Ava, and her object is a basketball. I'm Sophie, and my object is a book because I love reading."

Then Girl #3 has to remember both girls:

"This is Ava, and her object is a basketball. This is Sophie, and her object is a book. I'm Emma, and my object is a camera because I love taking pictures."

Keep going around the circle.

Each girl repeats every girl's name and object that came before her and then adds her own name and object to the end.

By the time you get to the last person, she has to try to remember the entire group!

Don't worry if someone gets stuck. Let the other girls help her. The point isn't to see who has the best memory. It's to laugh, interact, and learn about each other.

Group Leader Tip

You can decide whether you put yourself first or last in the circle.

If you're brave enough to be last, that means you're responsible for remembering every girl's name and object at the end. It gives you a great opportunity to show the girls that you were listening to them, and they'll probably get a kick out of watching you try to remember everybody!

Why This Game Works

There's a big difference between knowing someone's name and actually knowing something about them.

If a girl simply says, "My name is Lauren," everyone may forget her name five minutes later.

But if she says:

"My name is Lauren, and my object is a horse because I've been riding horses since I was little."

Suddenly, there's something to connect with Lauren.

Someone else may love horses. Another girl may want to know where she rides.

Someone may remember her later as "Lauren, the girl who loves horses."

The object gives everyone a little memory hook to connect with the girl's name.

And because each person has to repeat the girls who came before her, everyone has a reason to listen to one another instead of just waiting for their own turn to talk.

It Also Helps Girls Find Connections

One of the best parts of this activity is listening for the little moments when girls realize they have something in common.

"You play volleyball? I do too!"

"Wait, you love Taylor Swift too?"

"You have a golden retriever? So do I!"

Those small connections can be the beginning of friendships.

For girls walking into a new group, finding even one thing they have in common with someone else can make the room feel a little less intimidating.

A Note for Mentors and Group Leaders

Pay attention to what the girls choose in this get to know you game for teens.

Their objects may tell you more about them than you expect.

You may discover their hobbies, personalities, families, interests, talents, or things that are especially important to them.

When it feels natural, ask a follow-up question.

"How long have you been playing volleyball?"

"What kind of books do you like?"

"Tell us about your dog!"

"How did you get interested in art?"

You don't have to turn every answer into a deep conversation. Just be interested.

Sometimes one of the simplest ways we begin building relationships with teen girls is by communicating:

I see you. I'm listening. I want to know who you are.

That's what this game is really about.

Ready to Play?

Get everyone in a circle and give them a minute to think.

Then ask:

"If you had to choose one object that represents you, what would it be and why?"

Start with the first girl and work your way around the circle, repeating each person's name + object as you go.

By the end, you'll know a whole lot more than everyone's names.

You'll know a little bit more about who they are.