Mini Minds Hub · Free printable

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

  • ForAges 2 to 4
  • StageKey Stage 3
  • CostFree
  • FormatPrintable PDF
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Simon Says Cards is a free printable card set for ages 2 to 4, in Early Years. A grown up is Simon and picks a card. Children listen carefully and do the action only when they hear "Simon says". It takes about 10 minutes, any number can play, and it needs no screen.

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 and page 2 is for the grown up. Black and white printing works well.

What is on the sheet

The sheet is a set of cards to cut out and use. Each card gives one simple action, such as touch your toes, clap your hands, hop on one foot, wave hello or spin around. The grown up picks a card and says the action, with or without "Simon says". Children copy the action when Simon says it, and stay still when Simon does not. Older children can take a turn as Simon.

  • Touch your toes
  • Clap your hands
  • Hop on one foot
  • Wave hello
  • Stretch up high
  • Wiggle your fingers
  • Stamp your feet
  • Spin around
  • Nod your head
  • Tap your knees
  • Pat your tummy
  • Sit down

How the game works

Choose a card

The grown up is Simon. Pick a card and read the action to yourself first so you can say it clearly and show it.

Say Simon says

Say "Simon says" and then the action, for example "Simon says wave hello". Children copy you straight away.

Leave it out sometimes

Once children know the game, give an action without "Simon says". They should stay still. Go slowly and smile so it feels fun, not like a test.

Swap roles

Let each child take a turn as Simon. Hold the card for them and help them read or remember the action.

Why a listening game works at this age

Simon Says is a traditional playground game that families have played for a very long time. One person gives instructions and everyone else follows. At ages 2 to 4 the rules can be very simple. Children hear a short instruction, think about it and move. That makes it a gentle way to practise listening, and it needs no equipment beyond the cards.

Young children learn through play, movement and copying. When you say an action and do it too, they hear the words and see what they mean. Short instructions, a steady pace and lots of praise keep the game happy. The stay still rule adds a small challenge, because children have to wait and listen before they move.

Clear a space before you start so children can hop, stamp and spin without bumping into furniture or each other. Spinning can make little ones dizzy, so keep it short. A grown up should cut out the cards.

Skills and curriculum link

  • Listening
  • Following instructions
  • Moving the body
  • Waiting and stopping
  • 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.
  • I can follow an instruction.
  • I can move my body in different ways.

Tips for playing well

  • Keep instructions shortTwo or three words are easiest to hold in mind. Say the action once, clearly, and show it as you say it.
  • Show as well as tellChildren often copy what they see before they understand every word. Do the action with them at first.
  • Go at their pacePause between cards. Some children need a moment to listen, think and then move.
  • Stop while it is funTen minutes is plenty. Finish before children lose interest and they will ask to play again.

Key words

  • ListenUse your ears and pay attention to what someone says.
  • InstructionWords that tell you what to do.
  • CopyDo the same thing that someone else does.
  • StillNot moving at all.
  • SimonThe leader of the game. Simon says what to do.
  • ActionSomething you do with your body, like clapping or hopping.

How to use it

  1. Print both pages. Page 1 is for the children. Keep page 2 for yourself. A grown up cuts out the cards.
  2. Play together the first time. Do every action with the children and say "Simon says" each time, with no tricks.
  3. Pick a card and say "Simon says" before the action. Children copy you.
  4. When children are ready, give an action without "Simon says". They should stay still. Praise anyone who waits.
  5. Come back to it another day. Repeating a familiar game builds confidence. Let each child take a turn to be Simon.

Help, stretch and game ideas

If it feels too hard

Do the action together every time, with no tricks at first. Say "Simon says" before every card until the game feels easy. Show each action as you say it. Start with actions your child knows well, like clap your hands or wave hello.

To stretch confident children

Mix two cards together, such as clap and then spin. Say both actions in one go and see if children can do them in order. Then leave out "Simon says" now and then to check that they are listening carefully.

Make it a game

Let each child take a turn to be Simon. Give them a card and help them say the action. Play in a circle, or try slow and fast rounds. Say the actions quietly and see if everyone still listens.

Talk about it

  • What do you do when Simon says?
  • What happens when Simon does not say?
  • Which action was your favourite? Can you show me?
  • Can you give a Simon says instruction?
  • Which action was the hardest to do? Why?
  • What other actions could Simon say?

Take it off the page

Animal moves

Take turns to be Simon and say animal actions, such as hop like a rabbit or stamp like an elephant. Children copy only when you say Simon says.

Garden or park game

Play outdoors with a bit more space. Add actions that suit the place, like stretch up high to the sky or tap your knees.

Action songs

Sing songs that have actions, like head, shoulders, knees and toes. Children practise listening and moving in time with the words.

Who it is for

Parents

Sit with your child for the first go and join in with every action. Keep it light and silly. About 10 minutes is plenty. Praise listening and trying, not only getting it right.

Teachers

Use it as a starter, a plenary, a carpet time game or a calm break between activities. It needs no preparation beyond printing and cutting out the cards. It links to the EYFS strand Listening, Attention and Understanding.

Home educators

Print the cards once and use them again for brothers and sisters. Mix the game in with outdoor play, books and everyday talk. Older children can be Simon and help the younger ones play.

Where this fits

Before this game, children enjoy copying actions in songs and rhymes, and following one simple instruction such as sit down or wave hello. Playing along with a grown up who shows each action gives them the confidence to try the game on their own.

After this, children can try two step instructions, faster rounds and games where they have to stop and start. Dance Freeze Game Cards and Musical Statues Cards build on listening and stopping. Egg and Spoon Race is a good next step for movement with a little more control.

Check it worked

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

  1. What do you do when Simon says?
  2. What happens when Simon does not say?
  3. Can you give a Simon says instruction?

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 do best when a grown up joins in with every action. Older children can take a turn as Simon and give instructions themselves.

What will children practise?

Children practise listening, following instructions and moving their bodies. They also practise waiting and staying still when Simon does not say the magic words, and they can practise taking turns if they lead.

How do I play?

A grown up is Simon and picks a card. Say "Simon says" before the action for children to copy. If you do not say it, they should stay still. Any number can play and it takes about 10 minutes.

What if it feels too hard?

Do the action together every time, with no tricks at first. Always say "Simon says" and show the action as you speak. Add the stay still rule once children are happy and confident with the actions.

Is it free?

Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it again for brothers, sisters or another group, and black and white printing works well on plain A4 paper.

Can teachers use it in class?

Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, a plenary or a carpet time game. It needs no preparation beyond printing and cutting out the cards. It supports the EYFS strand Listening, Attention and Understanding.

Is this a screen free activity?

Yes. It is a screen free printable game that needs only the printed cards and a clear space to move. It suits quiet time, rainy days, school holidays and family gatherings.

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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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