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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.Choose one person to begin as the VIP Door Keeper. Give them a rule card without showing the group. Explain that the hidden rule applies only to objects, never to people.
printable materials

Key message

Groups can develop hidden rules about what appears accepted, popular or normal. Spotting those rules can help us question group pressure rather than copying it automatically.

How to run it

  • Explain that the fictional VIP Room accepts some objects and rejects others according to a hidden rule.
  • The Door Keeper secretly selects one rule card.
  • Players name an object and ask whether it can enter.
  • The Door Keeper uses only these responses:
    • “Yes, that object can come in.”
    • “No, that object cannot come in.”
    • “Try another object.”
  • The group watches the answers and tries to identify the hidden rule.
  • Once the rule is found, discuss how people began adapting or copying successful answers.
  • Rotate the Door Keeper role and use a new rule.

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.

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 a simple rule such as “Only yellow things can come in” or “Only things you can wear can come in.” Give the group a practice round first.

Make it Harder

Use a less obvious rule such as “Only things ending in E can come in” or “Only things with double letters can come in.”

Safety Note

Rules must apply to objects, words or colours, never people, bodies, identities, abilities, clothing, culture or personal characteristics. Rotate the Door Keeper role and let anyone decline it.

Ready to Run The Acitvity

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

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