How it works
These Simon Says ideas are 140 commands to read out as printed. One card in four is a trap: it leaves out “Simon says”, so anyone who moves is out. Start with Simon says touch your toes.
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Easy, tricky, silly and calm down
Easy is one plain move: Simon says reach for the sky. Tricky takes two things at once, or a left and a right: Simon says touch your left ear with your right hand. Silly is for laughs: Simon says wiggle like cooked spaghetti. Calm down ends the game quietly: Simon says sit like a sleepy cat.
The trap cards
A plain trap is a bare order, such as Stand up. The sneaky ones sound almost right: Simon wants you to jump, Salmon says swim like a fish, Simon's mom says take a bow. Only the exact words “Simon says” count.
- Speed up as the game goes on. A quick run of easy commands, then a trap, catches the most players.
- House rule for young players: whoever is caught does one silly command alone, then rejoins. Nobody sits out.
Questions and answers
What are the best Simon Says commands?
Ones the whole room can do at once without leaving its spot, mixed with traps: Simon says pat your head and rub your tummy, Simon says freeze like a statue, and then the trap, Unfreeze.
What are funny Simon Says commands?
The Silly cards: Simon says roar like a tiny dinosaur, Simon says be a teapot and pour yourself out, Simon says walk like you are on the moon, Simon says say hello in a squeaky mouse voice.
What are some Simon Says questions?
The caller gives commands, not questions, but a few make players think before they move: Simon says point to something blue, Simon says hold up seven fingers, Simon says whisper your favorite color.
What are good Simon Says ideas for ending the game?
The Calm down cards: Simon says take one slow, deep breath, Simon says tiptoe back to your seat, Simon says line up at the door without a sound. Even these hide a trap, such as Get up and run.
How do you play Simon Says?
Three or more play. One is Simon and calls commands; the rest follow only those that begin “Simon says”. A player who obeys a bare command, or ignores a real one, is out. The last player left usually wins.