# Peek-A-Who Two teams hide on opposite sides of an opaque sheet. When the sheet drops, one person from each side races to name the opponent sitting directly across from them. **Time:** 10 minutes. Source indicates 5 to 15 minutes. 10 minutes allows multiple rounds without dragging. **People:** 6 to 24. Two opposing teams separated by a suspended blanket or sheet, with one active player per team each round. ## Choose this exercise **Purpose:** Practice rapid name recall and associate participant faces with names in a newly formed group. **Use it when:** Early in an in-person cohort or workshop after basic initial introductions have occurred, to practice remembering names. **Skip it when:** Skip when the group already knows each other well, when participants prefer not to be placed on the spot, or when physical space is too tight to hold a screen. ## Materials and tools - 1 large opaque blanket, tarp, or sheet (at least twin-bed size) - Optional: chairs for participants who prefer not to sit on the floor ## Before participants arrive 1. Clear an open floor area at least 4 meters wide. 2. Identify two helpers or facilitators to hold the top edges of the sheet upright in the center of the room. ## Say this to open We will test our name memory with a quick round of Peek-A-Who. We will divide into two teams on opposite sides of this sheet. Each round, one volunteer from each team comes forward to face the sheet. When we drop it, the first person to call out the opponent's name wins that person over to their team. If you prefer not to sit in the hot seat, you can help hold the sheet, act as an impartial referee, or spot ties from the side. ## How to run it ### 1. Divide teams and position screen (2 minutes) Divide participants into two roughly equal teams. Position Team A on one side and Team B on the other. Two helpers hold the sheet taut between the two groups. Direct all remaining players to sit or stand at least 2 meters back from the sheet so opponents cannot see them. ### 2. Select runners and face off (2 minutes) Each team quietly chooses one representative to sneak forward and sit directly facing the screen. On the facilitator call '3, 2, 1, drop!', the sheet holders let the sheet fall to the floor. The two seated players race to say the opponent's first name out loud. ### 3. Capture and welcome teammate (4 minutes) The player who correctly says the opponent's name first wins that person over to their team. The winning team quickly welcomes their new teammate and confirms their name. In a tie, both players return to their original sides. Lift the sheet and repeat the sequence with new volunteers for several turns. ### 4. Debrief and name check (2 minutes) Drop the sheet completely and bring everyone into one shared circle. Ask reflection questions to two or three volunteers, then invite anyone whose name was mispronounced or skipped to say it clearly for the room. ## Debrief questions - What strategies helped you recall a name quickly under pressure? - Whose name are you still uncertain about across the room? **Finished output:** Every participant sees faces and hears names repeated across several rounds, concluding with a unified group name check. ## Remote This physical mechanic relies on a dropped physical sheet. For an online video meeting, use the related alternative 'Spotlight Name Recall': divide participants into two named rosters on screen. All participants turn off their cameras. The host turns on cameras for one person from each roster simultaneously. The first of the two to speak the opponent's name aloud wins a point for their roster. The host acts as judge. ## Hybrid Hybrid delivery is not practical with the dropped sheet mechanic. If some participants are remote, run the fully remote 'Spotlight Name Recall' variant for everyone, with in-person attendees joining on individual laptops with cameras rather than attempting a split physical and digital game. ## Access and participation choices - Provide chairs in front of and behind the sheet so no participant is required to sit on or get up from the floor. - Anyone uncomfortable being in the center face-off can hold the sheet, serve as referee, or spot ties from the side without explanation. ## If the session gets stuck **Players lean forward and peek around the edges before the sheet drops.** Remind both teams to stay seated 2 meters back until their secret representative is in place, and ensure sheet holders keep the edges flared wide. **Both players shout the correct name at the exact same fraction of a second.** Call a tie, declare it a draw, and have both players stay on their original teams before starting the next turn. ## Sources and adaptation Observed in Playmeo library entries attributed to Mark Collard. Retained core Playmeo mechanics: two teams, opaque screen dropped between two facing players, winner captures opponent. UWT added four explicit steps summing to 10 minutes, explicit welcome steps for captured teammates, physical access adaptations (chairs, non-active roles), a remote spotlight alternative, and debrief questions. [Playmeo](https://www.playmeo.com/activities/ice-breakers-get-to-know-you-games/peek-a-who) [Playmeo](https://www.playmeo.com/activities/ice-breakers-get-to-know-you-games/peek-a-who/) Current run sheet: https://unitedwetransform.com/exercises/quick-name-game-boosts-fun-energy-memory-skills-peek-a-who/