Party Games
How to play Simon Says
Follow the leader's instruction only when it begins with 'Simon says.'
What you need
Open space appropriate to the movements players will be asked to make
Set up the game
- Pick one leader, Simon, and have the others face that person with enough space for safe movements.
- Choose whether a mistaken move eliminates a player or merely costs a point. This guide uses elimination until one follower remains.
Listen for the cue before acting
- Simon announces an action. Followers perform it only if the instruction begins with the exact phrase 'Simon says.'
- A follower who performs a command lacking that phrase, or ignores a valid 'Simon says' command, leaves this round.
- Continue with varied commands until one follower remains; that follower wins and may lead the next round. Rotate sooner if the group prefers shorter games.
One command counts, one does not
Simon says 'Touch your shoulders,' and everyone does it. Next the leader says 'Clap twice' without the prefix. Talia claps and leaves the round; Amir stays still and remains. The apparent action is not enough to decide correctness—whether Simon used the prefix is the key.
Be fair about completed moves
Say an action that can be done safely in the available room, then allow a beat for everyone to respond. If Simon says 'raise one hand,' a follower who begins to raise one hand should not be ruled out because Simon immediately shouted another command. A clear pace keeps the challenge about listening.
Beginner decisions
- Listen to the beginning of the whole instruction before moving; copying someone else can lead you to follow a trap command.
- A leader can alternate easy valid commands and simple traps without making movements unsafe.
Common rule mix-ups
- Calling a movement wrong when Simon's wording was inaudible or ambiguous; replay that command instead.
- Using dangerous actions or shaming eliminated children.
Questions about this game
Does 'Simon asks' count?
No in this format. The command must begin 'Simon says.'
Can we avoid elimination?
Yes. Award a point for each correct response over a fixed number of commands; announce that optional version beforehand.
Sources and edition notes
Traditional Simon Says has no single official rules. This guide uses exact-prefix instructions and elimination; a point-based classroom variant is optional.