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Nicofiends activity

VIP Room

A group guessing game about fitting in, hidden rules and what can feel accepted in a group.

What it explores

This activity helps young people think about how groups can create hidden rules about what seems normal, popular or accepted. It opens up discussion about how people may change their behaviour when they want to fit in.
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Time
10 to 15 mins
Age
Ages 11 to 16
Setting
Classroom, Youth group, Community setting
Group size
Whole group or small groups

Activity at a glance

Best for

Fitting in, hidden rules and social pressure.

You’ll need

VIP Room rule cards, paper, pens and optional chairs or space markers.

Key message

Fitting in should not mean ignoring your own choice.

How to run it

  • Choose one young person to be the guesser. Ask them to step away or turn around for a moment.
  • Give the rest of the group a secret VIP Room rule. For example, only people who say please can enter, only people who choose the same answer as the group can enter, or only people who copy a simple action can enter.
  • Invite the guesser back. Their challenge is to work out the hidden rule by asking people to enter the VIP Room.
  • The group responds with “you’re in” or “not this time” depending on whether the person follows the hidden rule.
  • Run two or three quick rounds with different rules.
  • After each round, ask what made the rule easy or hard to spot, and how it felt when some people were included and others were not.

Discussion prompts

  • How did it feel when there was a hidden rule?
  • Did anyone change what they did to try to fit in?
  • Was the pressure obvious or quiet?
  • Where might young people feel pressure to act a certain way in real life?
  • What could someone do if fitting in means doing something they do not want to do?

Reflection

This activity helps young people notice that pressure can come from wanting to belong. It encourages them to think about how hidden group rules can shape choices, and how people can pause before copying what others do.

Download printable materials

Link To Smoking, Vaping or Nicotine

VIP Room links to the way smoking, vaping or nicotine can sometimes feel tied to fitting in, being accepted or seeming older.

The activity helps young people notice that pressure does not always come as a direct dare. It can come from wanting to be included, copying what others do or feeling like there are unspoken rules in a group.

Adapting the activity

Make it Easier

Use simple rules, such as “say please” or “copy the clap”, and give one practice round before starting.

 

Make it Harder

Use quieter rules, such as “agree with the group” or “copy the first person”, then ask the group how hard it was to spot the pressure.

Safety Note

Keep the discussion general and scenario based. Do not ask young people to share personal or family experiences of smoking, vaping or nicotine. Follow your setting’s safeguarding process if a young person raises a concern.

Ready to Run The Acitvity

Download the activity PDF or go back to the resource hub to find another activity.

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