7 fun ways to play with a question box among friends

A question box can also be a toy

When people think of a question box, many may picture a tool influencers use to answer questions from their followers. But used among friends, it can be fun in a different way.

Because it's anonymous, you can ask things you can't ask face to face. Because it's anonymous, people share honest feelings they normally keep to themselves. Ways to play that make use of this should bring new discoveries and laughs to your friendships.

Below are 7 ways to play that tend to get friend groups going. Try them as entertainment at a drinking party, as something to post in your group chat on LINE (a messaging app widely used in Japan), or as a way to pass a slow day off.

Ways to play 1-3: guessing games

Way to play 1: "Guess who sent it." Everyone in the group sends one question each, and the owner reads each question, guesses "This one's from X," and answers. If the guess is right, the sender owns up. If it's wrong, they reveal the right answer. Seeing an unexpected side of a friend is the kind of thing that gets everyone excited. The trick is to send a question that doesn't match your usual personality. When a friend who's always cool sends a sweet question, or a quiet friend sends a bold one, the guessing gets harder and the game gets more fun.

Way to play 2: "Spot the lie." Send the question box "3 facts about yourself." But 1 of the 3 is a lie. The owner spots the lie and answers. "I have 3 dogs." "I was student council president in high school." "I can't eat natto (fermented soybeans)." Which one is the lie? It's a game full of discoveries, as facts you never knew about your friends come out.

Way to play 3: "Compliment someone anonymously." Send a question that anonymously compliments someone in the group. "I love this thing about X." "I'm really glad X is around." Thanks and affection that are too embarrassing to say face to face are easier to express honestly precisely because it's anonymous. The person who gets it will likely feel shy but happy. It's a way to play that tends to warm up the group.

Ways to play 4-5: honest talk

Way to play 4: "Anonymous honest poll." For topics that divide opinion in the group, hold an anonymous vote with the question box. "For our next trip, beach or mountains?" "How often should we hang out over drinks, once a month or twice?" Opinions that tend to get swept along with the majority face to face can be voted honestly when it's anonymous. When you count the results and announce them, you might discover things like, "Wait, we were this split?"

Way to play 5: "Anonymous advice session." Everyone in the group makes a question box, and you send each other your worries anonymously. Worries about love, work, and relationships. Because it's anonymous, it's easier to open up: "Actually, I've been worried about this." The person answering also finds it easier to give objective advice precisely because they don't know who it is. When someone later reveals, "That advice question was actually from me," your friendship may grow deeper.

Ways to play 6-7: party games

Way to play 6: "The drinking party question box." At a drinking party, open up the question box and have everyone send anonymous questions from their smartphones. "Who here is most likely to be popular?" "Rate the organizer's cooking out of 10." "Did anyone here actually not want to come today? (lol)" When drinks and anonymity come together, honest feelings that normally stay hidden can pop out. Try putting the questions up on a projector or TV and thinking up the answers together.

Way to play 7: "Birthday surprise question box." On a friend's birthday, the group members send birthday wishes and memories to their question box anonymously. "My first impression when we met was X." "Thank you so much for helping me back then." "Let's keep hanging out next year too." When the birthday person opens their dashboard, there's a long row of anonymous messages. They don't know who wrote each one, but they know every message is from a friend. This warmth is a special experience, different from a group message on LINE.

Every one of these ways to play only works when there's trust between friends. Don't send aggressive questions or hurtful content, even as a joke. The fun of anonymity is built on a sense of safety.

Tips for keeping the fun going

Even a fun game tends to get old if you do the same one every time. The trick to enjoying it for a long time is to rotate several games depending on your mood. A guessing game day, an honest talk day, a party game day. Switching day by day should help keep things from getting stale.

We also recommend deciding in advance when the game ends. If you set a limit like "just one hour tonight," the excitement is packed into that time, and you can wrap up before it drags on and everyone gets bored.

And say a quick "Thanks, that was fun!" to the friends who joined. It makes it easier to invite them again next time. When you think of a new game, go ahead and try it. That playful spirit turns your question box into an endless playground with your friends.