Pick a leader, line everyone up behind them, and copy whatever silly movement they come up with next, a hop, a crawl, tip-toeing across the room. Follow the Leader is a simple imitation game that genuinely tests memory, attention, and self-control all at once.
Why this game matters
Copying a leader’s movements in real time, especially when the leader can change the action at any moment, asks a child to pay close, sustained attention, hold the current movement in working memory, and inhibit the urge to just do their own thing instead. That combination makes this a genuinely good, if simple, workout for the same executive function skills that matter for following instructions and staying focused later in a classroom setting.
What you need
Nothing but a bit of open space and at least two people.
How to play
Choose a leader, an adult is a good place to start, with everyone else lining up behind them. The leader moves around in any way they like, running, jumping, crawling, walking on tiptoe, and everyone following must copy exactly what they do. The leader can switch movements at any time, without warning, and the followers need to keep up and adjust.
After a while, let players take turns being the leader. This works with as few as two people or as many as you can fit comfortably in the space.
Variations
Once children are confident with simple movements, add sound effects or facial expressions to copy alongside the physical movement, which raises the challenge and adds to the silliness.
Try a slow-motion round, where every movement has to be performed as slowly as possible, which is a genuinely different and surprisingly difficult kind of self-control practice.
Safety notes
Make sure the play space is clear of obstacles and hazards before starting, since players are watching the leader rather than the ground in front of them.
Why taking turns as leader matters
Letting a child be the leader, not just a follower, is worth building in regularly rather than treating it as an occasional bonus. Inventing a movement for others to copy exercises a different, equally valuable skill: creativity and the confidence to direct a group, which complements the attention and self-control practised while following.
A simple line, an open bit of floor, and a willingness to hop, crawl, or tiptoe around the living room is all this game needs. The genuine mental workout it gives a two or three year old, tracking, remembering, and adjusting on the fly, is considerably more than the silliness of the game would suggest.
