100 Simon Says Game Ideas
If you’re looking for a fun game to keep your kids entertained, Simon Says is always a hit. But why not put a new spin on the classic game? These ideas will make things more interesting for everyone involved. Keep reading for some great Simon Says game variations!
HOW TO PLAY SIMON SAYS
A classic game, Simon Says is a simple concept that can be used to play games with friends at school or at home. All you have to do is follow the commands of the person saying “Simon says…”!
The basic rules are as follows:
The player designated as ‘Simon’ will say ‘Simon says…’. This indicates that this time it isn’t just a normal action but an instruction from Simon himself. If he/she doesn’t include these words, none of the other players should perform the action.
The following actions must only be performed if Simon specifically instructs them by saying “Simon says”. Therefore, any word not prefaced with “Simon says” must not be acted upon. For example, if Simon ever tells someone to “jump”, that someone must not do anything, but if he tells them to “Simon says jump in the air”, they should jump.
The game continues in this way until someone misses an action. They are eliminated and play continues with the leader calling out more “Simon Says…” actions. The last person left wins!
Simon Says
WHAT SKILLS ARE KIDS WORKING ON WHEN PLAYING THIS GAME
When kids play this awesome game they are working on:
- gross motor skills
- body awareness
- spatial awareness
- right and left awareness
- endurance
- coordination
- balance
- muscle strengthening
- following directions
- motor planning
- motor memory
100 COMMANDS FOR SIMON SAYS GAME
Here are 100 different playful activities you can try with friends when playing Simon Says. Start at the easiest categories for younger kids and then add in more challenging skills. Mix up the suggestions below for a super fun game!
Need a zero prep idea? Use the SIMON SAYS GAME and show the pictures on the screen. It makes a great activity for indoor recess, birthday parties or a fun brain break!
SIMPLE BODY PART RECOGNITION – SIMON SAYS …
- Touch your nose.
- Touch your feet.
- Wiggle your fingers.
- Reach your hands to the sky.
- Touch the floor.
- Tap your shoulders.
- Touch your ears.
- Reach around to your back.
- Touch your knees.
- Point to your mouth.
MORE COMPLEX BODY PART RECOGNITION
- Put your hands on your hips.
- Grab your wrist.
- Touch your ankles.
- Squeeze your elbow.
- Tap your stomach.
- Touch your heels.
- Tap your forehead.
- Wiggle your pinky finger.
- Tickle your ribs.
- Tap your thighs.
ANIMAL ACTION SIMON SAYS…
- Gallop like a horse.
- Bark like a dog.
- Tip toe like a quiet mouse.
- Stomp like an elephant.
- Hop like a kangaroo.
- Leap like a frog.
- Jump like a rabbit.
- Fly like a bird.
- Move like a bear.
- Buzz like a bee.
Action Alphabet Animal Interactive Game
RIGHT LEFT BODY AWARENESS SIMON SAYS …
- Touch your right hand.
- Wave your left hand.
- Hop on your right foot.
- Jump to the left.
- Raise your left arm.
- Bend your right arm.
- Kick your left foot.
- Wiggle your right leg.
- Touch your left ear.
- Turn your head to the right.
Right or Left Games – Practice Right Left Discrimination
LOCOMOTOR SKILLS SIMON SAYS …
- March in place.
- Jump up high.
- Gallop around the room.
- Leap forward.
- Skip in a circle.
- Jump sideways.
- Hop on one foot.
- Jump backwards.
- Leap forward one time on one foot.
- Run in place.
NONLOCOMOTOR SKILLS
- Sway back and forth.
- Twist your body.
- Stretch your arms.
- Balance on one foot.
- Wiggle your body.
- Bend and touch the floor.
- Straighten your back and stand up tall.
- Curl your arms.
- Spin to the right.
- Stand perfectly still for 5 seconds.
Superhero Action Verbs
CROSSING THE MIDLINE SIMON SAYS …
- Touch your right hand to your left shoulder.
- Do windmills.
- Cross your right foot over your left foot.
- Touch your left hand to your right foot.
- Tap your right knee with your left hand.
- Touch your left elbow to your right knee.
- Reach behind you and touch your left foot with your right hand.
- Grab your right ankle with your left hand.
- Touch your left ear with your right hand.
- Cross your left foot over your right foot.
STRENGTHENING SIMON SAYS DO…
- Ten squats.
- Five push ups.
- Five sit ups.
- Three lunges.
- Ten arm circles.
- Ten toe raises.
- Ten mini squats.
- Plank for 5 seconds.
- Five wall push ups.
- Ten high knee lifts.
CARDIOAEROBIC SIMON SAYS…
- Jumping jacks.
- Mountain climbers.
- Run in place.
- March in place.
- Jump in place.
- Squat thrusts.
- Slow motion running in place.
- Jump sideways back and forth (ski jumps).
- Squat jumps (squat down low and then jump up).
- High knees running in place.
Cardio Aerobic Exercises for Small Spaces
FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS AND MEMORY SIMON SAYS
When you put a few directions together within your verbal commands, you are focusing even more on following directions and working memory for kids.
- Touch your ear and then touch your nose.
- Put your arms overhead and then spin around three times.
- Touch the floor then jump up two times.
- Spin in a circle then balance on one foot shouting woo-hoo!
- Touch your right foot, touch your left ear, then do 2 jumping jacks.
- Wave your left hand, stomp your right foot and then MOO like a cow.
- Sit on the floor, close your eyes, and then wiggle your fingers.
- Do 5 jumping jacks and then spin in a circle.
- Touch your toes, touch your hips, and then tap your head three times.
- Put your hands in the shape of a heart and then give yourself a BIG hug!
Move Like Me – Motor Planning, Coordination and Body Awareness
WHEN IS A GOOD TIME TO PLAY THIS GAME?
Ready to put your new Simon Says skills to the test? Use these games for:
- brain breaks
- indoor recess
- birthday party game
- physical education class
- occupational therapy or phyiscal therapy session
- anytime you need to occupy the kids for a few minutes!
Check out our complete SIMON SAYS GAME and get started. You’ll be able to put your new-found knowledge of commands to good use, and have a blast doing it.
