Young kids
Stick to simple, everyday things like a spoon, a shoe or a chair. Ask them to name three things it can do.
Make it yours
Random Object Generator
Stuck for something to draw, write or act out? Press spin and get an object. This random object generator gives every item on the wheel the same chance. Your browser's secure random tool picks before the wheel moves. Spin again as often as you like.
How to Use the Random Object Generator
- Press spin.
- Look at the object. Do not skip it, even if it seems boring. Boring is where the fun starts.
- Use it. Draw it, write about it, build a story around it or act it out.
The wheel starts with 40 everyday objects. You can type your own list too, such as the things in your classroom.
Random Things for Drawing, Writing and Games
A prompt with a limit is easier than a blank page. A random object generator gives you one in a second. Here is what to do with your object.
Sketch warm-up. Set a timer for five minutes. Draw it three ways: realistic, as a cartoon, and as a tiny city.
One sentence story. Write one sentence where the object solves a problem it was never made for.
Three object story. Spin three times and tie all three into one short story. The odd mix is the fun part.
Pictionary and charades. Spin, then draw or act out the object while the room guesses.
Show and tell for kids. Spin an object and ask what it is used for, and what else it could be used for.
Invention game. Spin two objects and combine them into one new invention. Name it and sell it to the group.
Random Item Generator for Brainstorming
A random item generator helps with ideas too. Stuck on a design or a plan? Spin an object and ask how it could make the problem simpler, funnier or cheaper. It pushes your thinking in a new direction.
For a name that starts with a certain letter, use the random letter generator too.
Odds, Repeats and "I Got It Twice"
On a wheel with 40 objects, each spin has a 1 in 40 chance for any item. That is 2.5%. The chance that the next spin repeats the last one is also 2.5%.
Over a run of spins, repeats show up sooner than people expect. In 10 spins on a 40 object wheel, there is about a 71% chance that at least one object appears twice. This is the birthday paradox, and it is normal.
If you want a fresh object every time, turn on elimination mode. Each winner is removed from the wheel.
Random Objects for Different Groups
Classroom
Use objects as writing prompts, or play "describe it without saying its name".
Teens and adults
Add a challenge. Draw it from memory, or explain it to someone who has never seen one.
Artists and writers
Use it as a daily warm-up. One object a day builds a habit faster than waiting for inspiration.
Random Thing Generator: When You Need More Than One
Spin once for a focused prompt, three times for a story and five for a chaos round. If you need a number to decide how many objects to use, spin the random number wheel. You can find more tools on all wheels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a random object generator?
It is a tool that picks an object at random. You can use it as a prompt for drawing, writing, games or brainstorming.
Is it really random?
Yes. Your browser's secure random tool picks the object first, and then the wheel lands on it.
Are the objects safe for kids?
The wheel is meant to hold everyday, family friendly objects only.
Can I add my own items?
Yes. Type your own list. Add anything you like, such as the things in your classroom.
Can I get several random items at once?
Spin once for each. Spin three times for a story prompt and five for a longer challenge.
Is it free? Does it work on a phone?
Yes to both. It is free, with no account, and it fits phone screens.