8.4 Understand - The Paper Bin Game, and registering young people to vote

Young people are statistically less likely to be registered to vote than older age groups. This activity visually and physically demonstrates the additional barriers young people face, using a simple but powerful game to simulate the inequality in access to registration and voting.
This sits within the Understand phase of the Explore – Understand – Prepare – Engage model.

How it works:
Show the graph - Present the graph showing the percentage of registered voters by age group (see image).
Explain that registration rates increase sharply with age – only 16% of 16–17 year olds and 60% of 18–19 year olds are registered, compared with 96% of 64+ year olds.

Assign age groups
Give each young person (or small group) an age group from the chart:

• 16–17
• 18–19
• 20–24
• 25–34
• 35–44
• 45–54
• 55–64
• 64+

Play the Paper Bin Game
Place an empty bin at one end of the room. Give each participant a scrap of paper (their “vote”).
The aim is to throw their paper into the bin.

• The 64+ group stands closest to the bin
• Each step down the age groups means one extra step away from the bin
• The youngest groups will be furthest away and will have the hardest shot

Reflect and discuss
Once the game ends, reflect as a group:
“What made it easier or harder for some people to succeed?”
“What real-life factors create these barriers for young people?”
“What can we do to help level the playing field?”
Use this as a starting point to explain barriers: moving house, not understanding the process, lack of encouragement, etc.

Follow-up: Register to Vote
After the discussion, guide young people (if eligible) to register to vote then and there or talk them through the process. This is crucial part of helping them to prepare to vote.
Explain that while the system creates barriers, knowledge and preparation can help overcome them.
Visit: gov.uk/register-to-vote

Why It Works
The Paper Bin Game transforms abstract statistics into a practical, relatable experience. It helps young people understand that low registration rates are not about lack of interest, but about structural and practical barriers – and gives them the knowledge to take action.