Simon Says

Your little one has endless energy, and sometimes the simplest games offer the biggest opportunities for movement and fun. Simon Says is a timeless activity that gets kids moving, builds listening skills, and creates giggles along the way—all without leaving your living room. What makes this game so powerful is that it combines physical activity with cognitive challenge in a way that feels entirely playful to your child. They're not thinking "I'm practicing impulse control"—they're thinking "Mom's being silly and I get to copy her!" That's the magic of Simon Says: the learning happens invisibly while the fun happens loudly.

What You'll Need

• Your voice and genuine enthusiasm — Your energy sets the tone. Kids feed off your excitement, so don't be shy about hamming it up!
• An open, clear space — A living room with some furniture pushed back, a hallway, a bedroom, or backyard works perfectly. Aim for at least a 6-by-6-foot area where your child can move freely without crashing into sharp corners or knocking over fragile items.
• Comfortable clothing — Make sure your child is wearing clothes that allow full range of motion—no stiff jackets or tight outfits that restrict movement.
• Optional: stuffed animals or dolls — These can be wonderful "extra players" who join in, especially helpful if your child is shy or if you have multiple children playing together.
• Optional: music — An upbeat playlist in the background adds energy and helps set a playful mood, though it's completely optional.
• Optional: a mirror — If you have a safe, child-accessible mirror in your home, letting your child watch themselves while copying movements can deepen body awareness.

How to Do It

1. Gather everyone together in your play space. Sit or stand facing your child in a clear space where they can move freely without bumping into furniture, toys, or pets. You want to be close enough that they can see your movements clearly, but far enough apart that you both have room to move. If playing with multiple children, stand in the center so everyone can see you. A living room rug, hallway, or backyard patch of grass all work wonderfully for this.

2. Explain the rule in simple, concrete terms. Tell your child: "I'm going to do movements and say 'Simon Says' before them. You copy me! But if I do a movement WITHOUT saying 'Simon Says' first, you freeze and don't copy." For younger children, keep it even simpler: "When I say 'Simon Says,' we do it together. You watch me and do what I do!" Demonstrate with one or two examples so they understand—maybe do a simple clap with "Simon Says clap!" and then a gentle wave without saying Simon Says, then exaggerate your surprise that they didn't copy.

3. Start with easy, obvious movements that build confidence. Begin with actions that feel natural and fun, like touching your toes, jumping up and down, clapping your hands, waving your arms in the air, spinning slowly, or patting your head. Always say "Simon Says" at first—this is the confidence-building phase where your child gets to feel successful with every move. Repeat each movement a few times so they can really nail it and feel proud.

4. Add variety and increase the complexity gradually. Progress to movements that require a bit more balance or body awareness, like standing on one foot, reaching high up to the ceiling, bending side to side, marching in place with big exaggerated steps, shaking your whole body like a silly jelly, or making animal movements like a bear's walk or a bird's flap. Keep saying "Simon Says" consistently during this phase. The goal is to build your child's confidence and expand their movement vocabulary.

5. Introduce the playful "trick" once they're comfortable. After several rounds of successful "Simon Says" movements, try doing a movement WITHOUT saying "Simon Says" first. Make it exaggerated and silly—a big funny dance move or a goofy pose—so they notice it's different. When your child freezes or catches themselves and doesn't copy, celebrate enthusiastically: "You got me! You're such a great listener!" Keep your tone light and playful, never punitive. This is about noticing, not about being "wrong."

6. Keep the rhythm playful and pace it just right. Mix in more "Simon Says" movements with occasional trick movements, keeping a balance so your child stays engaged and successful. Keep the pace upbeat and maintain high energy—do movements quickly and move on to the next one. Remember, this isn't about perfect responses or following rules strictly; it's about having fun together and moving your body. If your child gets confused or copies a trick movement, simply say "Oops! Let's try again!" and keep moving forward.

🎓 Skills Your Child Will Develop

Listening Skills — Your child practices hearing and following verbal directions in a playful context where mistakes are celebrated rather than scolded. This builds auditory processing abilities and the confidence to listen and respond in a low-pressure environment.

Body Awareness and Spatial Awareness — Copying movements helps kids understand how their bodies work, where their limbs are in space, and how to control them with intention. This foundational physical literacy supports everything from writing to sports to everyday coordination.

Impulse Control and Self-Regulation — Resisting the urge to copy movements without "Simon Says" builds the executive function skill of impulse control—the ability to pause before acting. This is one of the most important skills for classroom readiness and emotional development in the preschool years.

Gross Motor Development — All that jumping, spinning, stretching, and moving strengthens large muscle groups, improves balance and coordination, and builds the physical strength and confidence your child needs for running, climbing, and active play.

Social Connection and Emotional Bonding — This interactive, playful game builds shared joy and connection between you and your child. The back-and-forth nature and the giggles create warm memories and reinforce your relationship as a safe, fun place to play and learn together.

Following Multi-Step Directions — As the game progresses, your child learns to listen for a specific condition ("Simon Says") before responding, which mirrors real-world listening tasks like "Wait for the green light" or "Line up after you hear the bell."

Tips & Variations

• For younger 2- and 3-year-olds: Skip the "trick" part entirely and focus only on "Simon Says" movements. The goal at this age is joyful participation, movement, and building listening skills—not rule-following or impulse control. Just do silly movements and let them copy at their own pace.

• Make it sillier with exaggeration: Use over-the-top facial expressions, funny sounds, or animal movements to keep energy sky-high. Try "Simon Says hop like a bunny!" "Simon Says waddle like a penguin!" or "Simon Says stretch like a tall giraffe!" Animal movements especially resonate with preschoolers and add imaginative play to the physical activity.

• Take turns being Simon: Once your child understands the game, let them be Simon and call out movements for you to follow. This reversal builds confidence, gives them leadership experience, and often results in hilarious, creative movements you never would have thought of. Celebrate their ideas enthusiastically.

• Play with themes: Try "Simon Says like a dinosaur" (stomp and roar), "Simon Says like you're in slow motion" (very slow movements), "Simon Says like you're made of jelly" (wiggly movements), or "Simon Says like you're sleepy" (slow, stretching movements). Themed rounds add novelty and keep older preschoolers engaged.

• Incorporate favorite songs: Use a familiar song as background music and do "Simon Says" movements that match the beat, or take a movement break between song verses. This combines music and movement in a way that appeals to the musical learners in your house.

My Two Cents

Simon Says never gets old because it taps into something kids naturally love—copying, play, and your full attention focused on them. I adore how this simple game sneaks in real physical activity and mental focus while your child thinks they're just goofing around with you, and I've watched it transform even the most fidgety afternoons into connected, joyful time. The beautiful part is that you're already equipped to play it right now—no screen time, no setup, just you and your child and the silliness that comes naturally when you give yourself permission to be a little ridiculous together. Trust me, those are the moments they'll remember.