✳ Bug Garden8-BIT / PLAYGROUND
FLYING FREE
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FREE · NO SIGNUP

Random Name Picker That Plays Like a Game

Play now with the names provided, or add your own list.

⚑ BUG RACE
↖ Move your mouse to play with the swarm

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TEAM CONFIGURATION

SETTINGS.

SAVED LISTS 0

No saved lists yet. Saved lists stay in this browser.

    Bug Hunt options
     How it works ↓

    A SMALL GAME. A RANDOM PICK.

    Random name picking, made interactive

    Bug Garden turns a list of names into a pixel bug-catching game. Use it to choose someone for a question, kick off a group activity or add a playful moment to a meeting. You supply the names; the browser selects a name at random for each catch.

    Choose Quick Pick when you need one person. Choose Bug Hunt when you want several picks and a live leaderboard. The points count random selections, not a participant’s skill or performance.

    Bug Garden with a sample name list and pixel bugs to catch
    A real Bug Garden session with fictional names. Catching a bug reveals a random pick.

    How Bug Garden works

    1. Play right away. Use the names provided, or choose Add your names to enter your own list. Your saved list is ready when you return.
    2. Choose a format. Quick Pick creates one bug. Choose Bug Hunt for a longer round, or Bug Race to let every name race for the pick.
    3. Catch a bug. Click or tap in the garden, or press Space during a round. Each successful catch records one random selection.
    4. Review the result. See the selected name or the round’s leaderboard. Pick again, replay or share the configuration.

    Built for groups

    Classrooms

    Choose a volunteer activity participant, a discussion starter or a classroom helper. Explore the random student picker for teachers, including a short review activity.

    Teams

    Choose who starts an icebreaker or shares a retrospective prompt. See the meeting icebreaker picker for standup and retro examples.

    Workshops and events

    Bring a list of willing participants and make the selection visible to the room. For prize draws, see the giveaway winner picker.

    A different way to reveal a name

    A wheel is a familiar way to pick someone. Bug Garden gives the host something to play: catch pixel bugs and watch the results build up. See how this interactive alternative to a name wheel compares, including where a traditional wheel may suit you better.

    Understand the random selection

    Every entry has an equal chance on each independent draw. Clicking a different bug does not let you choose a particular participant. By default names can repeat, and a short round does not guarantee equal turns. Turn on No Repeats in Settings to pick everyone once before anyone is picked again. Read how Bug Garden selects names for the algorithm and tie rules.

    Your list stays in your browser unless you share it

    The game stores the current names, settings and scores locally. It does not send participant names in its analytics events. Sharing deliberately puts the configuration in a link, so share only names you intend recipients to see. See the privacy policy.

    Frequently asked questions

    Is Bug Garden free?

    Yes. You can enter names, use Quick Pick and play Bug Hunt for free. No account or installation is required.

    Can the same name appear twice?

    By default, yes: each pick is independent, so a name can appear again immediately. Turn on No Repeats in Settings and everyone is picked once before any name comes up again. The rotation is remembered in this browser.

    Can I reuse my list?

    Your current list and settings are saved in this browser when local storage is available. Return on the same browser to reuse them. There is not yet a library of separately named lists.

    What happens when I share a game?

    The shared link contains your list and game configuration. Anyone who receives it can read the names. Use nicknames or fictional names for public demos.