Bunny Bunny

Bunny Bunny is a fast reaction game for a circle. Whoever’s turn it is plays the bunny: they hold both hands in front of their mouth as if nibbling, chant “bunny, bunny” and point at someone else. That person’s two neighbours have to shout “carrot, carrot” straight away, while the person pointed at becomes the new bunny and passes it on. React too late, say the wrong thing or make the wrong gesture, and you drink.

In Korea the game is called Bani Bani (바니바니), and the neighbours shout “danggeun, danggeun” – Korean for carrot. Use the original or just say “carrot”, as long as everyone knows beforehand.

Before you start, agree on two gestures: the nibble for the bunny and a carrot move for the neighbours, such as pumping both arms up and down to the beat as if you were digging up carrots. Then everything runs to a steady rhythm.

• The bunny: chants “bunny” four times and points at the next bunny on the second pair. The nibbling hands stay up the whole time.
• The carrots: the new bunny’s two direct neighbours chant “carrot, carrot” on the same beat and do the carrot move. Everyone else stays quiet.
• Passing it on: the new bunny carries on without a pause and points at the next person.
• Mistakes: missing your cue, nibbling instead of digging as a neighbour, freezing as the bunny or falling off the beat means a sip.

Variations

• With a real carrot: the bunny holds an object as the carrot and can only pass it to one of their two neighbours. Slower and good for beginners.
• Reverse: the person pointed at shouts “carrot, carrot” and their two neighbours shout “bunny, bunny”. Even experienced groups get tangled up.
• Two players: two people bat “bunny, bunny” and “carrot, carrot” back and forth faster and faster until one trips up.

Tips

Start slowly and only pick up the pace once everyone has the gestures down. Most mistakes happen with the neighbours rather than the bunny, so keep an eye on who’s sitting next to whom. The sillier the bunny voice, the better the mood.