Games
Backwards Simon Says
Backwards Simon Says is a silly movement game where your child only does the action when the phrase does not include “Simon says.” Reach for it when you want a quick, screen-free way to practice listening, flexible thinking, and impulse control with lots of laughs.
Ready right now 15 min Ages 5–10 years 1–4 players Indoor
Impulse controlListening for detailsWorking memoryFlexible thinkingBody awareness
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Learning benefits
- 💡 This game gives your child a playful way to practice executive function because they must pause, remember the reversed rule, and choose the right response. Listening for whether “Simon says” is present builds attention to small language details. Freezing instead of moving supports impulse control, while switching between leader and player strengthens flexible thinking. When you laugh off mistakes and reset together, you also model co-regulation and resilience.
Safety notes
- ⚠️ Keep all actions in one spot and avoid running, spinning with eyes closed, leaping off furniture, or fast direction changes. For 5- and 6-year-olds, use slower commands and skip elimination rules, since being “out” can turn a useful challenge into tears. If kids are close together, choose small movements like tapping shoulders or knees so elbows and feet do not hit another player. Stop the round if silliness turns into roughhousing, and restart with seated commands.
Cleanup
- 🧹 Have everyone return the room to its starting shape, such as sliding the coffee table back or picking up any pillows moved for space. Close with one sentence of praise tied to effort: “You caught yourself stopping even when your body wanted to move.” If the game made the room lively, do three quiet breaths before moving to the next activity.