Who Am I? is a guessing game where players use yes or no questions to guess the identity of a famous person. Questions are based upon the traits and characteristics of a person everyone will be able to identify. This game works well with any size group, however the larger the group, the more fun the game becomes.
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Who Am I? makes an excellent ice-breaker, as the game can take as little as ten to fifteen minutes. If players take turns, the game lasts longer. We have provided a list of Who Am I? game questions and Who Am I? Names for your playing convenience. Playing a guess who I am game makes any party or get-together more fun.
How to Play “Who Am I?”
There are several ways to prepare to play this game.
- To use very few materials and almost no time for preparation, simply write the names of famous people on sticky notes.
- You can prepare in advance with pictures of famous people cut from magazines or names written on notecards. Use masking tape to adhere to the players’ foreheads or backs.
- You can purchase a card deck of famous people designed specifically for playing “Who Am I?”
Additionally, depending on the group size and the amount of time you wish to take for the game, you can choose one of the following methods.
- Everyone receives a sticky note or note card with the name of a famous person. The name is placed on either the person’s forehead or upper back with a piece of masking tape. Players circulate and ask yes or no questions until everyone has identified the name on their own sticky note or card.
- Each player takes a turn with the other players asking yes or no questions, until the player with the sticky note or card guesses the identity of the famous person.
A specific amount of time or number of questions is given to the players. Ten to twenty questions are usually enough, depending on how difficult the category, as well as the age and maturity level of the players. The game should not take more than about twenty minutes – ten for preparation and explanation and ten for play.
Encourage players to move throughout the room, mingling and asking each other questions. Once a player guesses their character’s identity correctly, they can continue to play answering the questions other players ask, or you can decide they need to wait in an area away from the other players.
Who Am I? Game Rules
Make sure you explain the game to the group before you begin playing.
Each person tries to figure out which famous person they are by only asking “Yes” or “No” questions to gain clues about the name that is on their back or forehead.
- Do not look at the name on your forehead.
- Start by asking broad questions.
- Get more specific with your questions.
- State your guess as to your identity
“Who Am I?” Game Questions
Players may ask any question that can be answered by Yes or No. Play is more fun and proceeds at a steadier pace if the questions are like the following:
- Are you a male (female)?
- Are you an entertainer?
- Are you a singer (dancer, actor)?
- Are you a historical figure?
- Are you young (old)?
- Are you alive now?
- Are you considered beautiful (handsome)?
The following is an example of questions you might ask for the category “Disney Characters.”
- Are you live action?
- No
- Are you animated?
- Yes?
- Are you a girl?
- Yes
- Are you a princess?
- No
- Are you blond?
- No
- Are you dark haired?
- Yes
- Do you talk to animals?
- Yes
- Are you Snow White?
- Yes
“Who Am I?” Names List
The following list of names will help you get ready for your game of Who Am I?
- Snow White
- Snoopy
- Scooby Doo
- John Wayne
- Anne Hathaway
- Duke Ellington
- Madonna
- Superman
- Batman
- Robin
- George Washington
- Abraham Lincoln
- Thomas Edison
- Benjamin Franklin
- Brittany Spears
- Cinderella
- Sleeping Beauty
- Billy Joel
- Albert Einstein
- Richard Nixon
- Arnold Schwarzenegger
- Dora the Explorer
- Elmo/Big Bird
- Howard Stern
- Donald Trump
- Rosie O’Donnell
- Oprah Winfrey
- Helen of Troy
- Helen Keller
- Cleopatra
- Queen Elizabeth
- Demi Moore
- Angelina Jolie
- Bill Clinton
- Hillary Clinton
- Bill Cosby
- George Clooney
- Rachael Ray
- Martha Stewart
- Magic Johnson
- Dennis Miller
- Michael Jackson
- Brad Pitt
- John Lennon
- Elvis
- Tom Sawyer
- Napoleon
- Cleopatra
- Joan of Arc
- SpongeBob
- Ellen DeGeneres
- Simon Cowell
- George Bush
Additionally, you can choose to use categories such as Bible characters, sports stars, actors, etc. Base your choices on the composition and age level of your group. For example, classic rock stars work for adults, while Marvel characters would be a better choice for teens, and Disney characters suit children. You may also wish to choose a character category that fits with a party theme, such as names of sports cars for a boy’s birthday party where kids are going to a local go-kart track.
Game Variations
Who Am I? Charades
Players take turns acting out the names of famous people.
What Am I?
The same as Who Am I? However, instead of people, names are for things, such as a house, an apple, a tree, etc.
Category “Who Are We?”
For a very large group, select someone to be “It.” It leaves the room and the rest of the group forms a circle and decides who they will be. For example, they may decide to be surgeons or flight attendants. It reenters the room and asks Yes or No questions, one for each member of the group. Answers must be true, but can be cleverly stated to confuse It. After each member of the group asks one questions, “It” guesses the mystery category.
The fun of “Who Am I?” increases when the sticky notes or cards are on the foreheads of all the players, as everyone looks rather silly. Use this game as an icebreaker at the beginning of a party, a way to get people to mingle and meet, or to liven things up when a party begins to falter. Fun is guaranteed whenever you play “Who Am I?”
Susan majored in English with a double minor in Humanities and Business at Arizona State University and earned a Master’s degree in Educational Administration from Liberty University. She taught grades four through twelve in both public and private schools. Subjects included English, U.S. and world history and geography, math, earth and physical science, Bible, information technologies, and creative writing.
Susan has been freelance writing for over ten years, during which time she has written and edited books, newspaper articles, biographies, book reviews, guidelines, neighborhood descriptions for realtors, Power Point presentations, resumes, and numerous other projects.