Body & movement
Simon says
- Builds: Moving only on cue
- 10 min
- Ages 4–6
- Calm
- No mess
From the house
- Nothing
How to play
- Explain the one rule: only do it if you hear “Simon says” first.
- Start easy: “Simon says touch your nose. Simon says stand on one foot. Simon says wiggle your fingers.”
- Sneak in a move without “Simon says” (“Sit down”) and see if they stay still; nobody is ever out, just laugh and keep going.
- Swap so they’re Simon and you follow.
Fit it to your child
- Easier: Use only “Simon says” moves for the first few turns, then add one trick now and then.
- Harder: Go faster, use left and right, and chain two moves: “Simon says touch your knee, then your ear.”
Words to use
- Simon says
- touch
- still
- wait
- oops
Why it helps
Staying still when the magic words are missing trains them to control their body on cue, and the moves build body awareness and balance.