Simon Says | Playworks

To increase listening skills

Skills Practiced: Running, skipping, hopping and balancing

Play a practice round to make sure everyone understands.
Be sure players are clear on the consequences when they do not follow directions.
Check that everyone knows how to maintain safe distances between themselves.

Explain that you are going to give directions to perform a specific movement or sound
Everyone should only follow your direction if you first say “Simon Says”
If someone follows your direction when you don’t say “Simon Says” they receive a consequence, such as:
- 10 jumping jacks
- Touching the ground for a round
- Getting a high five from a leader
The leader can call all types of directions, i.e. touch your nose, toes, etc., stretch to the sky, run in place, jump 5 times, skip high, make silly animal noises, etc.

A basketball version of this is called Shaq Says which might be more appropriate for older children and basketball practice. In this game all of the commands are obviously basketball related. For example: Defense- all the players should go into a defensive position, Slide- all of the players would shuffle their feet once in the direction you move. Other commands are pass, shoot, dribble in front, around your back, between your legs, with your left hand, spin on your finger, dunk, etc.
You can be really sneaky and say, “Great job, you can relax and stand up now” and get them all out!
Allow others to take on the leader role and be “Simon”.
Pre-K: Instead of saying “Simon says”, say “touch your nose” while touching your nose at the same time. Students should mirror the action and touch their nose. Continue the game, saying touch your ears, touch your knees, etc. When students get the hang of that, say touch your _____, but touch a different body part. Most of the students will copy the movement and laugh when they realize the mistake.