Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Simon Says Listening Game: Free Printable Game for Reception
- ForReception
- StageEarly Years
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Simon Says Listening Game is a free printable game for Reception (ages 4 to 5). Children listen carefully and only move when the leader says "Simon says". It takes about 10 minutes, needs two or more players, and page 2 gives the grown-up notes, help for children who find it hard and a stretch idea.
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, cut out the cards from page 1 and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Page 1 has cards to cut out and use. The leader reads a card aloud and everyone else listens. Some cards begin with "Simon says" and some do not. Children copy the move only when they hear those two words. The cards ask for simple actions such as touching, clapping, turning and hopping, so the whole game is quick, active and easy to start.
- Simon says touch your nose
- Simon says clap twice
- Jump up high
- Simon says turn around
- Simon says wave
- Touch your toes
- Simon says sit down
- Simon says hop
- Stand on one leg
- Simon says smile
Why listening games work for four and five year olds
Simon Says is a well known party and playground game, and many families will remember playing it. It looks simple, but it asks children to do something hard. They must hold back a move until they hear the right words. That pause is a real skill for young children, because their first instinct is to copy whatever they see or hear.
In the Early Years Foundation Stage, listening and attention sit at the heart of Communication and Language. Children are still learning to tune in to one voice, take in what is said and then act on it. A short game with movement gives them a good reason to concentrate, and a laugh when they get caught out keeps them wanting to play again.
Clear a safe space before you start. Move chairs and sharp edges out of the way. Cards that ask children to hop or stand on one leg need room, so keep players a little apart. Adults should do the cutting out for younger children.
Skills and curriculum link
- Careful listening
- Following spoken instructions
- Self control
- Taking turns
- Body movement
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 follow instructions with more than one step.
- I can wait until I hear the right words.
Ideas to help your child play well
- Show, then tellThe first time through, do the move yourself as you read the card. Later, read the card without showing it, so your child has to rely on listening alone.
- Use a calm, clear voiceRead each card at an even pace. Pause briefly after each one so children have time to think before they move.
- Keep mistakes lightEveryone moves by accident sometimes, including grown-ups. Laugh together and play on. Children learn more when the game feels safe.
- Swap roles oftenTake turns as the leader. Reading the cards aloud and watching the players is a different kind of listening, and children enjoy being in charge.
Key words
- ListenUse your ears and your attention to take in what someone says.
- InstructionWords that tell you what to do.
- LeaderThe person who reads the cards and says what to do.
- WaitStay still until it is the right time to move.
- RoundOne go at the game, from the first card to the last.
- TurnA chance to do something, or to move your body round to face another way.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for the children. Keep page 2 for the grown-up. Cut out the cards from page 1.
- Read the rules out loud together before you start, so everyone plays the same game.
- Choose a leader. The leader reads the cards in any order. Players move only when the card starts with "Simon says".
- If someone moves on a card with no "Simon says", they sit down for one round. Then they join in again.
- Keep rounds short and take turns as leader. Come back another day, because repeating a familiar game builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Start with only the 'Simon says' cards, so every card means move. Say each one slowly and do the action yourself at first. When your child feels confident, add one card without 'Simon says' and see if they can wait.
To stretch confident children
The child becomes the leader and reads out the cards. Ask them to watch the other players and spot anyone who moves by mistake. For an extra challenge, the leader can try saying two actions in a row.
Make it a game
Play in a circle with a small group. If you move on a card with no 'Simon says', sit down for one round, then rejoin. Try a quiet round where the leader whispers the cards and everyone must listen closely.
Talk about it
- What did you need to listen for?
- What was the hardest card to follow?
- How did your body feel when you wanted to move but had to wait?
- Can you give a friend an instruction to follow?
- Which move was your favourite, and why?
- What could the leader do to make it easier for everyone to hear?
Take it off the page
Listening walk
Walk round the garden, park or house and stop every few steps. Ask your child to say one sound they can hear. Then play a quick round of the game outside.
Instruction treasure hunt
Give your child two or three spoken instructions in a row, such as go to the door, then touch the table. See if they can remember and do them in order.
Statue game
Play some music and let children dance. When the music stops, everyone freezes like a statue. It practises listening for a signal and stopping the body.
Who it is for
Parents
Play the first round with your child and let them lead the second. Ten minutes is plenty. Stay cheerful if they move too soon, because the aim is listening, not winning.
Teachers
Use it as a starter, a plenary, a carpet time game or a brain break between lessons. It needs no preparation beyond printing and cutting. It also suits small groups, with a child as leader.
Home educators
Print it as part of a wider communication and language plan. It works well beside stories, songs and outdoor play. Brothers and sisters can join in, and older children can act as leader.
Where this fits in learning
Before this game, children listen to stories, songs and simple requests in everyday life. They learn to look at the speaker and pay attention for a short time. Games like this build on that, by asking them to listen for particular words and not just the general sense.
After this, children can move on to listening for longer instructions with more than one part, and to games that need them to remember and repeat what they have heard. These skills support early reading, as children learn to focus on sounds and spoken words.
Check it worked
Ask these when the sheet is finished. Listen for the reasoning, not just the answer.
- What did you need to listen for?
- What was the hardest instruction to follow?
- Can you give a friend an instruction to follow?
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Simon Says Listening Game for?
It is written for Reception, which is ages 4 to 5, in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Younger children may enjoy it with extra help, and older children can try the stretch idea of being the leader.
- What will children practise?
Children practise careful listening and following spoken instructions. They also practise waiting, taking turns and controlling their bodies. These skills all support Communication and Language in the Early Years Foundation Stage.
- How many people can play?
You need two or more players. One person is the leader and reads the cards in any order. Everyone else listens and moves. It works at home with a parent and child, or in class with a small group.
- How long does the game take?
It takes about 10 minutes. Keep rounds short and play again if everyone is keen. Two quick games usually work better than one long one for children of this age.
- What if my child finds it too hard?
Start with only the 'Simon says' cards, so every card means move. Show each action as you read it. Once your child feels confident, add cards without 'Simon says' one at a time.
- Is it free, and do I need colour printing?
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. You will need scissors to cut out the cards.
- Can teachers and home educators use it?
Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, plenary, brain break or small group activity with no preparation beyond printing. Home educators and tutors can use it on its own or as part of a wider plan.
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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.