What's in the box? It's scary but fun—a classic crowd-pleaser.
“What’s in the Box?” is a classic, crowd-pleasing game that livens up parties and events! The rules are simple: you stick your hand into a box where you can’t see the contents and guess what’s inside based only on how it feels.
The suspense and surprise make it beloved by people of all ages.
Using items with distinctive textures—like scouring pads or slime—virtually guarantees big reactions and excited faces the moment someone reaches in, sending the whole venue into a buzz.
In this article, we’ll introduce recommended materials—from staple items perfect for hyping up your event to unexpected, quirky objects that add an extra twist!
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Ideas for what's inside a box using ingredients (1–10)
noodles
Since it’s such a crowd-pleasing game, it could be fun to turn it into an attraction for a school culture festival or campus festival.
As for items to put in the box, something cheap, easy to get, and unexpectedly gross might be noodles.
If you use udon, toss it with a bit of oil after boiling so it doesn’t clump.
It’ll feel slimy to the touch and won’t hold its shape, which should be really icky.
If you want to do the classic “What’s in the box?” gag, you could just place a bowl of ramen inside the box and have someone stick their hand in and react with “Ouch, hot!”—that would definitely get laughs.
Just don’t use actually piping-hot ramen.
Jagarico
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The moment you grab it, you’re puzzled—“A bunch of thin sticks?” “What is this?”—but it’s Jagalico (Jagarico).
It’s a uniquely textured snack that’s perfect for the “What’s in the box?” game.
Its thin, light, and firm feel often gets mistaken for chopsticks or straws, which leads to lots of laughter as people guess.
Keeping it in the bag while using it is hygienic, and once you open it, it doubles as a snack—which is a nice bonus.
With its sound, shape, and a blend of play and practicality, Jagarico is an easy-to-prepare, crowd-pleasing food prop.
Ideas for what’s inside the box using ingredients (11–20)
sweet potato
It’s an ingredient with heft and a distinctive shape that makes you curious about what’s inside the box.
Its rounded form contrasts with a rugged, bumpy skin, and the moment you grab it, you might think, “Wait, I think I know this,” only to struggle to recall the name—an experience that heightens the excitement.
If you chill it in the fridge, the cool sensation on your fingertips will add to the confusion.
You can adjust the difficulty by using different shapes—long and slender ones or round ones.
If a trace of earthy aroma remains, you can engage all five senses for the challenge.
It’s a simple yet surprising idea that reliably gets a good reaction, thanks to how easily people respond to its weight and feel.
deep-fried tofu (aburaage)
Aburaage is an ingredient that confounds the senses with its lightness and uniquely fluffy feel.
When you pick it up, it has a soft springiness; the surface is slightly rough, at once sponge-like and cloth-like, making its true nature hard to pin down—that’s the point.
Take it out of the package and let it come to room temperature, and its moisture increases, enhancing its realism; participants will be perplexed by the strange, clingy texture on the hand.
Its thinness and softness combine exquisitely, giving it a completely different impression from other ingredients.
Just having one around stirs the air—light as it is, it delivers ample impact as an idea.
konpeitō (traditional Japanese sugar candy)
In the “What’s in the box?” touch-and-guess game, a food item that combines surprise and cuteness is konpeitō (Japanese sugar candy).
It’s tiny and light, yet has a uniquely rough, bumpy texture that leaves everyone baffled: “What is this?” Every wrong guess sparks laughter and instantly warms up the room.
After the reveal, people often say, “So nostalgic!”—a delightful bonus that can lead right into snack time.
If you place it in a bag, it’s hygienic and safe to handle.
Despite its appearance, it’s surprisingly hard to identify by touch, which can help stimulate the brain.
These little candies create big excitement—a perfect food idea for older adults.
carrot
Carrots are easy to prepare and, thanks to their distinctive texture, are well-suited as items for a mystery box.
Their long, slender shape when gripped, their firm hardness, and the smooth feel of their skin are unique, creating a brief moment of hesitation when touched for the first time.
Tossing several in casually can further obscure their identity.
Because they come in various sizes, you can choose them to suit the flow of the game.
It’s an easy-to-handle idea that generates laughs from the back-and-forth leading up to the reveal and the sense of satisfaction when the correct answer is guessed.
pumpkin
Among vegetables, pumpkin stands out as an ingredient with both heft and size, combining surprise and presence.
The moment you touch it, its rugged hardness, weight, and bumpy surface make a strong impression, offering a tactile feedback unlike other ingredients.
Its distinctive shape and firmness make it hard to arrive at the “right answer,” guaranteeing excitement.
Whether used whole or cut, the difficulty level rises, allowing you to adapt it to different uses.
By boiling or chilling it, you can enjoy a variety of preparations—an idea with outstanding presence and versatility.