Age guide: 3 to 9 years. Works with two players or a whole class of cousins.
At home, children are often following instructions. These games turn that around for a few minutes, letting your child decide where everyone goes and what they do. They also give you an excuse to see what happens when you copy your child instead of correcting them.
1. Follow the leader
Time: 5 to 10 minutes. You need: space to move around.
Everyone lines up behind the leader. The leader walks around the room or garden moving in a way of their choice: skipping, hopping, tiptoeing, waving their arms. Everyone else copies. Every minute or so, call “switch!” and the leader goes to the back so the next person can take over.
If your child is stuck on one idea, step in as leader for a round and show a few more, such as slow motion, giant steps or moving like a robot. Then hand the lead back.
2. Do as I do
Time: 5 to 10 minutes. You need: a circle of players, with the leader in the middle.
The leader says “Do as I do” and performs a short action, such as standing on one foot or patting their head. Everyone copies. If the leader does an action without saying those words, nobody should copy it. Anyone who does just laughs and tries again. After two to four turns, someone else becomes the leader.
Younger children can play without the trick, copying every time. Older children enjoy trying to catch each other out.
Making room for every child
- A child who does not want to lead can choose a partner to lead together, pass and try later, or lead sitting down.
- If someone feels left out, give out a simple role such as “the one who says switch”.
- If a child feels shy or is anxious about being watched, play at home first, with just the family.
What the leader learns
Being in charge, even for a minute, can feel good and a bit scary. You might notice a quiet child blossom, or a bossy one finding it hard to follow next. Either way, name what you see kindly: “You gave us lots of different moves.” For more on how to support a child’s confidence, see specific, honest praise.
