Zombie Name Game
Participants stand in a circle while a designated zombie slowly walks toward a peer to tag their shoulders. The target avoids being tagged by naming another player in the circle, who then immediately steps in as the new chaser.
Choose this exercise
Purpose: Rehearse and recall participant names under mild, playful time pressure.
Use it when: Use during early team formation or orientation after initial introductions when the group needs an active, physical review of everyone's names.
Skip it when: Skip when participants have mobility limitations that make standing or slow walking uncomfortable, when close physical proximity causes discomfort, or when the room lacks open floor space.
Group arrangement: Single whole-room circle
Timing: 10 minutes allows an introductory name pass, active game rounds, and a brief two-question debrief.
Materials and tools
- Name badges or peel-and-stick name tags for visual support (optional)
Before participants arrive
- Clear a central open space large enough for all participants to form a standing circle with roughly arm's-length spacing.
Say this to open
We will practice everyone's names using Zombie Name Game. Everyone stands in a circle. One person starts as the zombie. The zombie calls someone's name loudly and begins walking slowly toward them with arms outstretched. If you are that named target, your goal is to say another person's name loudly before the zombie tags your shoulders. If you name someone in time, you immediately step into the circle as the new zombie and walk toward the person you just named, while the previous zombie fills your empty spot in the ring. If you get tagged before saying a name, take a breath, step into the center, and start as the new zombie.
How to run it
Hear all names 2 minutes
Explain the rules using the opening script. Have every person in the circle say their name clearly once in clockwise sequence so everyone hears each name aloud immediately before play begins.
Demonstrate turn sequence 2 minutes
The facilitator steps into the center to demonstrate the pace. Walk at a deliberate, slow pace with outstretched arms toward Person A after calling their name. Prompt Person A to call Person B's name before being reached. Once Person A calls Person B, Person A steps into the circle and begins walking toward Person B. The facilitator immediately steps into Person A's vacated spot on the perimeter. Emphasize that walking must remain slow and theatrical with no running.
Run active rounds 4 minutes
Start active play with one zombie in the center. The zombie calls a name and slowly approaches that person. The target attempts to call another peer's name before being tagged on the shoulders. If successful, the target becomes the new zombie chasing their named peer, and the previous zombie takes the target's former spot in the circle. If tagged before calling a name, the tagged person becomes the next zombie, calling a fresh name to restart. Keep a single zombie in motion to maintain clarity.
Debrief name recall 2 minutes
Halt play and gather the circle. Ask the group the debrief questions. Collect three or four voluntary responses from the room before moving to the next agenda item.
Debrief questions
- What strategies helped you recall someone's name quickly when the zombie approached?
- How did the slow walking pace change your focus compared to a fast chase game?
Finished output: The circle completes multiple rotations of calling and recalling peer names.
Remote
This physical tagging mechanic requires shared physical space and cannot run identically online. For a remote setting, run an alternative called Screen Name Relay: everyone displays their name on screen. One caller says a peer's name. That peer must quickly unmute, call a third person's name, and pass it forward without repeating names across a complete round.
Hybrid
Not recommended for a split cohort because the physical tagging mechanic requires co-presence. If operating a hybrid room, run the Screen Name Relay format with all participants on video so remote and in-person members take turns calling names under the same conditions.
Access and participation choices
- Participants who prefer not to walk or be tapped can serve as Spotters on the perimeter who prompt peers with names if someone freezes.
- Physical shoulder tagging can be replaced with an air tag, where the zombie stops two paces away and says 'Tag' aloud.
- Any participant may pass on stepping into the center by choosing a substitute volunteer.
If the session gets stuck
- A participant runs or lunges, creating collision hazards.
- Pause the round immediately. Remind players that feet must stay at a slow walking shuffle with arms extended straight ahead.
- A player freezes and cannot recall anyone's name under pressure.
- Allow peers in the circle to wave hands or point at their name tags to offer silent visual hints.
Terms used here
- Air tag: Stopping two steps away and saying 'Tag' instead of making physical contact on the shoulder.
- Zombie shuffle: A slow, deliberate walking pace with arms extended forward, preventing running or lunging.
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Help me prepare and run the exercise below. First ask for my participant count, time, setting, access needs and intended result. Check these against the stated limits. Use the supplied rules and materials. Explain any proposed changes before using them, and label them as adaptations. Do not invent source claims or require personal disclosure. Give me one step at a time when I say start. I manage the people, physical activity and clock; do not claim to observe the room. Ask me what happened before choosing a next step. Reference revision: e4fdb9dbc8487f98170ee7dfcea7fbe64e29da5a334af8fea030b3676f3f9c30 # Zombie Name Game Participants stand in a circle while a designated zombie slowly walks toward a peer to tag their shoulders. The target avoids being tagged by naming another player in the circle, who then immediately steps in as the new chaser. **Time:** 10 minutes. 10 minutes allows an introductory name pass, active game rounds, and a brief two-question debrief. **People:** 8 to 20. Single whole-room circle ## Choose this exercise **Purpose:** Rehearse and recall participant names under mild, playful time pressure. **Use it when:** Use during early team formation or orientation after initial introductions when the group needs an active, physical review of everyone's names. **Skip it when:** Skip when participants have mobility limitations that make standing or slow walking uncomfortable, when close physical proximity causes discomfort, or when the room lacks open floor space. ## Materials and tools - Name badges or peel-and-stick name tags for visual support (optional) ## Before participants arrive 1. Clear a central open space large enough for all participants to form a standing circle with roughly arm's-length spacing. ## Say this to open We will practice everyone's names using Zombie Name Game. Everyone stands in a circle. One person starts as the zombie. The zombie calls someone's name loudly and begins walking slowly toward them with arms outstretched. If you are that named target, your goal is to say another person's name loudly before the zombie tags your shoulders. If you name someone in time, you immediately step into the circle as the new zombie and walk toward the person you just named, while the previous zombie fills your empty spot in the ring. If you get tagged before saying a name, take a breath, step into the center, and start as the new zombie. ## How to run it ### 1. Hear all names (2 minutes) Explain the rules using the opening script. Have every person in the circle say their name clearly once in clockwise sequence so everyone hears each name aloud immediately before play begins. ### 2. Demonstrate turn sequence (2 minutes) The facilitator steps into the center to demonstrate the pace. Walk at a deliberate, slow pace with outstretched arms toward Person A after calling their name. Prompt Person A to call Person B's name before being reached. Once Person A calls Person B, Person A steps into the circle and begins walking toward Person B. The facilitator immediately steps into Person A's vacated spot on the perimeter. Emphasize that walking must remain slow and theatrical with no running. ### 3. Run active rounds (4 minutes) Start active play with one zombie in the center. The zombie calls a name and slowly approaches that person. The target attempts to call another peer's name before being tagged on the shoulders. If successful, the target becomes the new zombie chasing their named peer, and the previous zombie takes the target's former spot in the circle. If tagged before calling a name, the tagged person becomes the next zombie, calling a fresh name to restart. Keep a single zombie in motion to maintain clarity. ### 4. Debrief name recall (2 minutes) Halt play and gather the circle. Ask the group the debrief questions. Collect three or four voluntary responses from the room before moving to the next agenda item. ## Debrief questions - What strategies helped you recall someone's name quickly when the zombie approached? - How did the slow walking pace change your focus compared to a fast chase game? **Finished output:** The circle completes multiple rotations of calling and recalling peer names. ## Remote This physical tagging mechanic requires shared physical space and cannot run identically online. For a remote setting, run an alternative called Screen Name Relay: everyone displays their name on screen. One caller says a peer's name. That peer must quickly unmute, call a third person's name, and pass it forward without repeating names across a complete round. ## Hybrid Not recommended for a split cohort because the physical tagging mechanic requires co-presence. If operating a hybrid room, run the Screen Name Relay format with all participants on video so remote and in-person members take turns calling names under the same conditions. ## Access and participation choices - Participants who prefer not to walk or be tapped can serve as Spotters on the perimeter who prompt peers with names if someone freezes. - Physical shoulder tagging can be replaced with an air tag, where the zombie stops two paces away and says 'Tag' aloud. - Any participant may pass on stepping into the center by choosing a substitute volunteer. ## If the session gets stuck **A participant runs or lunges, creating collision hazards.** Pause the round immediately. Remind players that feet must stay at a slow walking shuffle with arms extended straight ahead. **A player freezes and cannot recall anyone's name under pressure.** Allow peers in the circle to wave hands or point at their name tags to offer silent visual hints. ## Terms used here - Air tag: Stopping two steps away and saying 'Tag' instead of making physical contact on the shoulder. - Zombie shuffle: A slow, deliberate walking pace with arms extended forward, preventing running or lunging. ## Sources and adaptation Attributed to Mark Collard by Playmeo. Faithfully retains the source mechanic where naming a peer transfers the zombie role to the target, who then pursues the person they named while the old zombie takes their spot. UWT added a preliminary name review round, safety pacing constraints, an air-tag option, spotter roles, and a structured debrief. [Playmeo](https://www.playmeo.com/activities/ice-breakers-get-to-know-you-games/zombie-name-game) [Playmeo](https://www.playmeo.com/activities/ice-breakers-get-to-know-you-games/zombie-name-game/) Current run sheet: https://unitedwetransform.com/exercises/fun-circle-name-game-that-creates-energy-zombie-name-game/
Sources and adaptation
Attributed to Mark Collard by Playmeo.
Faithfully retains the source mechanic where naming a peer transfers the zombie role to the target, who then pursues the person they named while the old zombie takes their spot. UWT added a preliminary name review round, safety pacing constraints, an air-tag option, spotter roles, and a structured debrief.
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