Mini Minds Hub · Free printable

Simon Says Cards: Free Printable Card Set for Ages 2 to 4

  • ForAges 2 to 4
  • StageEarly Years
  • CostFree
  • FormatPrintable PDF
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Simon Says Cards is a free printable card set for Ages 2 to 4, in Early Years. Cut out the cards, pick one and do the action. Children listen carefully, move in different ways and learn to notice when Simon did not say it. It takes about 10 minutes and needs three or more players.

It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages. Page 1 is the activity for children. Page 2 is for the grown-up, with notes, help and a stretch idea. Black and white printing works well.

What is on the sheet

Children take turns to be Simon. Simon picks a card and says the action, and everyone else does it. The actions are simple and familiar, such as touch your nose, clap your hands, hop, jump, wave, spin around, stamp your feet, touch your toes, stretch up, sit down, nod your head and wiggle. Little ones listen, watch and move, and they can try being Simon too.

  • Touch your nose
  • Clap your hands
  • Hop
  • Jump
  • Wave
  • Spin around
  • Stamp your feet
  • Touch your toes
  • Stretch up
  • Sit down
  • Nod your head
  • Wiggle

How to play Simon Says

Get ready

An adult cuts out the cards. Shuffle them and put them in a pile, face down. Clear a space so everyone can move safely.

Take turns as Simon

Simon picks a card and says, "Simon says," then the action. Everyone does it. Simon can join in too.

Try it without the magic words

Once children know the game, Simon sometimes gives the action without saying "Simon says." Then everyone stays still. With two year olds, you may want to leave this out at first.

Swap and stop

Give a new child a turn as Simon after a few cards. Stop while it is still fun. You can play again another day.

Why Simon Says suits young children

Simon Says is a well known game for groups. One player gives instructions, and the others follow them only when the instruction begins with the words "Simon says." Many families already know it, so it is easy to start with no long explanation. The actions on these cards are ones young children can already do, which helps them feel confident from the first go.

Young children learn a great deal through movement. In this game they have to listen first, then act. That is a useful habit for nursery, Reception and everyday life. Taking a turn as Simon also gives them a chance to speak clearly, choose an action and lead. Short rounds with plenty of laughing keep it light.

Clear a safe space before you start. Move furniture and anything sharp out of the way, and play on a floor that is not slippery. Keep hopping, jumping and spinning gentle, and stop if anyone feels dizzy. Adults should do the cutting out with scissors.

Skills and curriculum link

  • Listening
  • Following instructions
  • Moving in different ways
  • Body awareness
  • Taking turns

This sheet supports the area below. It is matched to the published England framework. Please check it against your own school plan.

Framework Subject or area Strand Year
Early Years Foundation Stage Communication and Language Listening, Attention and Understanding Reception

What children will be able to do

  • I can listen carefully to an instruction.
  • I can move my body in different ways.
  • I can tell when Simon did not say it.

Ideas for helping little movers

  • Show as well as sayYoung children often copy what they see before they understand every word. Do the action with them, then say it again slowly.
  • Keep turns shortTwo to four year olds tire quickly. A few cards, a big laugh and a break work better than a long game.
  • Praise tryingCheer for having a go, even if the action looks different. Children enjoy moving in their own way.
  • Let them leadTaking a turn as Simon builds confidence and speaking skills. Accept their choices, and repeat the action back so everyone knows what to do.

Key words

  • SimonThe person who gives the instructions in the game.
  • ActionSomething you do with your body, like clapping or hopping.
  • ListenUse your ears and stay quiet so you can hear what is said.
  • HopJump on one foot.
  • StretchReach out or up as far as you can.
  • TurnYour go. Then it is someone else's go.

How to use it

  1. Print both pages. Page 1 is for the children. Keep page 2 for the grown-up. Cut out the cards, and an adult should do the cutting for young children.
  2. Clear a safe space and choose who is Simon first. Put the cards face down in a pile.
  3. Simon picks a card and says, "Simon says," then the action. Everyone does it together. Show the action as well as saying it.
  4. Take turns to be Simon. Talk about each action and let children suggest a new way to do it. Check the notes on page 2 if you want help or a stretch idea.
  5. Stop while it is still fun, and come back another day. Repeating a familiar game builds confidence.

Help, stretch and game ideas

If it feels too hard

Show the action as well as saying it. Stand in front of your child and do it together. Start with the simplest actions, like clap your hands or wave. Leave out the tricky "Simon did not say it" rule until the game feels easy and familiar.

To stretch confident children

Do two actions in a row, such as clap your hands then touch your toes. Children listen to both before they move. When that feels easy, try three. Let confident children be Simon and choose the actions themselves.

Make it a game

Make up your own cards. Draw or write new actions, such as tiptoe, roll your arms or make a funny face. Add them to the pile and play again. Children enjoy seeing their own ideas become part of the game.

Talk about it

  • What did you need to listen for?
  • Can you show me a new way to move?
  • What happens if Simon does not say Simon says?
  • Which action was your favourite, and why?
  • Can you be Simon and choose an action for us?
  • How does your body feel after hopping and stretching?

Take it off the page

Copy the leader

Take turns to make a movement while everyone else copies it. Try slow, fast, big and small versions.

Animal moves

Ask children to move like a frog, a bird or a snake. Make the sounds as well. Make sure there is plenty of space.

Action story

Tell a short story and let children do an action each time they hear a special word, such as jump or clap.

Who it is for

Parents

Sit and play with your child. Do each action alongside them the first few times, then let them lead. Ten minutes is plenty, and you can stop whenever the fun fades.

Teachers

Use it as a warm up, a brain break or a short circle time game. It needs nothing beyond printing and cutting. It links to listening, attention and understanding in the Early Years Foundation Stage, so check it against your own plans.

Home educators

Print it once and use it again for brothers, sisters or visiting friends. It fits well alongside outdoor play, songs and stories. Children can help make new cards for next time.

Where this fits in

Before this, children practise copying simple actions, joining in with action songs and following one step instructions from an adult. Games like this let them use those skills in a group, and take turns.

After this, children can move on to listening for two or three instructions in a row, playing freeze and movement games, and later following rules in simple team games in PE.

Check it worked

Ask these when the sheet is finished. Listen for the reasoning, not just the answer.

  1. What did you need to listen for?
  2. Can you show me a new way to move?
  3. What happens if Simon does not say Simon says?

Questions parents and teachers ask

What age is Simon Says Cards for?

It is written for Ages 2 to 4, in Early Years. Younger children can join in by copying the grown-up. Older children can try being Simon or take on the stretch idea of doing two actions in a row.

What will children practise?

They practise listening carefully and moving in different ways. They also learn to wait for the right instruction, take turns and notice when Simon did not say it. All of this happens through play.

How many people do I need?

You need three or more players, with one taking a turn as Simon. It works at home with family, in a nursery group or in a classroom. Everyone can have a go at being Simon.

How long does it take?

It takes about 10 minutes. You can stop sooner if the children lose interest, or play again later. Short rounds that end while everyone is still enjoying it usually work best for this age.

What if it feels too hard?

Show the action as well as saying it, so children can copy you. Start with the easiest actions and leave out the rule about Simon not saying it until they feel confident. Keep it light and playful.

Is it free, and do I need colour?

Yes, it is free to print for home and classroom use. You do not need colour. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper, so it is cheap and easy to repeat.

Can teachers and home educators use it?

Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, a brain break or a circle time game. Home educators can use it alone or as part of a wider plan. It needs no preparation beyond printing and cutting.

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Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.

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