Classrooms
Use a short round to introduce a review activity. See the student picker guide for teacher-specific examples and privacy notes.
PLAY THE PICK
A Wheel of Names Alternative You Can Play
Add your names. Catch a bug. Reveal a random pick. Bug Garden is a free, interactive name picker for moments when you want the selection itself to become a small game.
Why try something other than a wheel?
A spinner is familiar and easy to follow. If your group wants a change of pace, Bug Garden lets the host catch bugs while names appear. Quick Pick selects one person; Bug Hunt builds a leaderboard over several interactions.
Use it for an icebreaker, a classroom activity or a workshop break. Need everyone to get exactly one turn? Turn on No Repeats and each name is picked once before any name repeats.
Wheel of Names and Bug Garden
| Feature | Wheel of Names | Bug Garden |
|---|---|---|
| Reveal format | Spin a wheel to reveal an entry. | Catch a pixel bug to reveal a name. |
| Custom entries | Enter your own list. | Paste names on separate lines. |
| Avoiding repeats | Remove a selected entry after a spin. | Optional No Repeats mode picks everyone once per rotation; otherwise draws are independent. |
| Group experience | A shared wheel and result. | Quick Pick or a multi-pick round with a leaderboard. |
| Getting started | Browser-based picker. | Browser-based picker; no account required. |
Comparison checked on September 24, 2026 against the Wheel of Names tool and its official FAQ. Features can change. Bug Garden is an independent product and is not affiliated with Wheel of Names.
From your list to a result
- Open Bug Garden and add one name per line.
- Choose Save & Pick One for one person, or save your list and choose Bug Hunt for a scored round.
- Catch bugs, then review the name or leaderboard.
The score measures random picks, not skill. Read how the random selection works.
Use it with your group
Teams
Choose who shares an icebreaker answer or starts a discussion without making a full scored round mandatory. See the meeting picker for standup examples.
Workshops
Project a sample round, explain how it works, then add your willing participants.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bug Garden a wheel spinner?
No. It uses a pixel bug-catching game to reveal random selections.
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?
Only if you want it to. By default each pick is independent, so a name can appear again immediately. With No Repeats on, every name is picked once before the list starts over.
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.