Ways to use this list
- Plan the term: draw one theme a week with Remove the winner on, and send it home on Friday so families have the weekend to find something.
- Preschool and kindergarten: give children three things to say: what it is, where it came from and why they like it. Each talk then has a beginning, a middle and an end.
- Letter of the week: press Letter A for ideas, or spin the letter generator and ask for something that starts with that letter.
- Nothing to bring? Let the child show a drawing or choose an object from the classroom shelf, so nobody misses a turn.
- Team meetings and adult classes: press Adults & teams and give each person two minutes. It is an icebreaker people actually remember.
- Decide who presents each day with the classroom picker, so every child has a turn across the week.
Press Draw a name, tap the game or press the Space bar. Change the list in the box as you
like: add your own, delete what doesn't suit you, or write *2 after an entry to give it double the
chance. The game buttons switch the same list to a wheel, duck race, claw machine and more.
The full list (42 entries)
- Your favourite book – show one page you love
- A toy you have had since you were little – where did it come from?
- Something from nature – a leaf, shell, pinecone or smooth stone
- Something in your favourite colour
- A picture you drew or painted – tell how you made it
- Something that makes a sound – a bell, a shaker or a small drum
- Something soft – a blanket, scarf or feather
- Something that starts with the letter of the week
- A photo of a pet or an animal you love
- Something you built – from blocks, card or boxes
- Something very small – smaller than your thumb
- Something round – a ball, a button or an orange
- Something from a place you visited – a ticket, a shell or a photo
- A baby photo of you – the class guesses who it is
- Something you grew – a plant, a seedling or a photo of it
- Something you are proud of – a medal, certificate or piece of work
- A favourite hat – where do you wear it?
- Your favourite cuddly toy – what is its name?
- Something older than you – ask a grown-up how old it is
- A photo of a food your family makes
- Something that shows your hobby
- Something with wheels
- A card or craft you made
- Something that floats – test it in a tub of water at school
- Something with your name on it
- A kitchen tool and what it does – a whisk, ladle or wooden spoon
- A picture of your favourite place
- Something in your favourite shape
- Something that tells a story about you
- Recycling turned into art – a box robot or a bottle-top picture
- Something that moves – a spinning top or a wind-up toy
- Something shiny
- Adults: an object from your desk with a story
- Adults: a photo of a place that matters to you
- Adults: something you made by hand
- Adults: a skill you can show in two minutes
- Adults: a book that changed your mind
- Adults: something you have kept since childhood
- Adults: a tool you use every day
- Adults: your favourite mug and its story
- Adults: something you learned to do this year
- Adults: something from your hometown
📖 Related guide: How to pick students at random, fairly
Questions people ask
What can I bring for show and tell that starts with A?
An apple, an acorn, a toy airplane or ambulance, an alarm clock, a toy alligator, an apron, an animal book or a piece of art you made. Press Letter A above the picker to draw from these.
How long should each show and tell turn be?
For preschool and kindergarten, about one to two minutes, plus one or two questions from the class. Spreading turns across the week keeps each session short enough for young children to sit through.
What should children leave at home?
Anything valuable, fragile, sharp or alive (unless the teacher agrees first), and toys likely to start arguments over sharing. A photo or drawing of the object works well when the real thing can't come to school.
How can I help a shy child with show and tell?
Let them present with a friend, show a drawing, or answer three questions you ask them. Starters like "This is my…" and "I like it because…" make the first few turns much easier.
What are good show and tell ideas for adults?
Something with a story works best: an object from your desk, a photo of a place that matters, something you made, or a skill you can demonstrate. Keep each turn to two minutes so the meeting stays on time.