Mystery Box Game Template – Keep or Give the Box

Create your own Mystery Box Game with this editable PowerPoint game template. After adding your own questions, images, or prompts, start the presentation to play. This game works best when there are two teams. Each team will take turns choosing a letter and then answering a question. After this, the team must decide to keep the box or give the box to the other team. Inside the box could be good points (e.g., +1000) or bad points (e.g., -1000). This has always been one of my students’ favorite games, and I’m sure your students will love it too.

Mystery Box PPT Game Template

Tips for Playing the Mystery Box Game in Class

While this game is super fun and easy to set up, it helps to plan a few things ahead of time. Here are some tips on how to run the game in class so it’s as effective (and fun) as possible:

• Make equal teams – Although this game is all down to luck and the number of players on each team doesn’t affect the outcome, students, especially young learners, will get upset if things don’t feel fair. So, it’s best to make even teams. I find that splitting the class straight down the middle is the easiest and most efficient way to do this.
• Establish Rules – To keep the game running smoothly, it’s a good idea to set some ground rules before you start. Let students know not to laugh at or tease the other team if they lose a lot of points. This can easily happen in a game like this, and setting expectations early helps keep things fun and fair for everyone.
• No Wrong Answer – If a student can’t answer the question correctly, help guide them to the right answer. Use it as a teaching moment. This game isn’t a test. The goal is to have fun. So, support them, give a quick explanation if needed, and then move on to the fun part: deciding whether to keep or give the box.
• Play Against the Teacher – If you know your students get easily upset when losing in games like this, a fun alternative is to play against the teacher. Have one team made up of students and the other as the teacher. Then, let the students decide each round whether to keep the box or give it away for both teams. This keeps the energy up while taking the pressure off.