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!
- Get the party started! Fun 100-yen store party goods
- [Elementary School] Quick and Easy! Indoor Recreational Activities Perfect for Lower Grades
- [Simple Games] Recommended Indoor Recreational Activities for Adults
- [Children’s Club] Easy and fun indoor games. Exciting party games
- Recommended for upper elementary grades! Exciting indoor recreation and games
- [For Kids] Popular party games. Fun games that get everyone excited
- Christmas party booster! A collection of game ideas that large groups can enjoy
- A fun, everyone-joins-in game that gets everyone excited!
- [Play Right Away!] Exciting Recreation Games Recommended for Elementary School Students
- Items that liven up a house party, including games and fun gadgets.
- [Elementary School Rec] Recommended Games and Performances for a Fun Party
- Team-based recreational activities for adults that are fun even with large groups
- Get the Fun Going! Easy Classroom Games You Can Play at School: Recreational Activities for the Whole Class
Ideas for what’s inside the box using ingredients (11–20)
Apple
Apples are a classic ingredient that’s perfect for “What’s in the Box?” When you touch one, it feels round and firm, with a smooth surface that gives a comforting sense of familiarity.
However, because apples are so well-known, there’s a good chance they’ll be guessed right away.
Combining them with a different material of a similar shape is an effective way to throw people off.
Chilling the apple changes the impression and adds a twist to the tactile experience.
The sensation of a slick surface and a weighty body filling the hand creates a gap from what people imagine, so it’ll be fun even if they guess correctly.
It’s an idea that’s easy for both beginners and experienced players to enjoy.
cup noodles
@yoninochanne_fan1 [What's in the Box?] Find the Werewolf Who's Not Eating Butamen! Shorts
♬ original sound – yoninochanne_FAn1 – yoninochanne_FAn1
Because it’s so familiar, it’s actually tricky—that unexpected twist is what makes “cup noodles” exciting.
When you gently slip your hand into the box, it’s round and light, the lid is soft and crinkly, and you can feel something shifting inside.
Even though you’ve surely touched one before, it’s full of elements that make you hesitate and wonder what it is.
You can enjoy the process of deducing from hints like the cup’s shape and weight, and the faint sounds it makes.
After the game, conversations flow with questions like, “What flavors do you all like?” If someone says, “I’ve never had that—Is it good?” it can even turn into a tasting session, which is great fun.
It’s an easy, lively food theme that teases your senses, taste, and memory.
stick bread
A great food item to hype up a “What’s in the Box?” game is the unmistakable stick bread.
Its long, soft, distinctive shape is perfect for making people wonder, “What could this be?” the moment they reach in.
The touch is fluffy and slightly moist, making it hard to identify by feel alone—that’s the key.
Since it’s food, you can go straight into snack time after the big reveal, killing two birds with one stone.
Wrap it in plastic for hygiene so you can play safely.
This game of probing memory using only touch also stimulates the brain and is sure to spark laughter and conversation.
It’s an easy-to-prepare, crowd-pleasing food prop.
hamburger
In our daily meals, we often use utensils, so it’s common not to know how food feels to the touch.
With that in mind, we’ve chosen “hamburgers” as the theme: if it’s something you grab and eat with your hands, it should be easier to recognize.
Since you can probably identify it quickly from the soft feel of the bun, to make it more engaging, try discerning the specific product name.
It’s important to carefully check the details—what the main filling is and what toppings are included, among other finer points.
lemon
A great ingredient to stump participants with its unexpected feel is the lemon.
Its smooth peel has a faint bumpiness, so people can tell it’s some kind of fruit, but it often gets mixed up with oranges or mandarins.
Changing the shape—halving it or slicing it into rounds—raises the difficulty even more.
That said, doing so also adds a refreshing aroma, turning it into a game that leans even more on the senses.
Wrapping it in plastic wrap or a bag keeps things hygienic, and when someone guesses correctly, the satisfying “aha” moment and pleasant scent even brighten the atmosphere of the venue.
It’s a simple yet deep choice that stimulates touch, smell, and memory all at once.
In conclusion
What’s in the Box? has long been a beloved staple game at events and parties.
Because the rules are simple—guessing objects using senses other than sight—there are endless ways to enjoy it with a bit of creativity.
Use the ideas introduced here as inspiration, come up with your own original items to put in the box, and have a great time getting everyone excited together!