The Best Simon Says List of Commands (200 Ideas)

Simon Says is a timeless game played by kids of all ages. It’s fun, it’s educational, and it’s a great way to engage children.

This Simon Says list of commands (there are 200) will keep you busy and includes different types of commands – simple, funny, silly, active, etc.

What are the Benefits of Playing Simon Says?

Why is Simon Says a good game for preschoolers and older kids?

Here are just a few reasons:

It teaches kids listening skills.
It improves concentration and memory.
It’s an active game that can build gross motor skills.
It teaches kids to follow instructions.
It builds vocabulary.
It’s good for cognitive development.

What are the Rules of Simon Says?

How do you play Simon Says in class or with a group of children at home?

The Simon Says rules are simple:

One child is chosen to be Simon.
Simon faces the group of children and must give action commands for them to follow.
If Simon gives a command beginning with the words “Simon Says,” as in “Simon Says clap your hands,” the children must follow the instruction.
To trick someone on Simon Says, Simon must give a command that doesn’t begin with the words “Simon Says.” As an example, if Simon just says “Clap your hands,” the children must stand still and not follow the command.
Anyone who moves when the command does not include “Simon Says” is out and must sit down.
The winner is the last child standing.
The winner can then be Simon in the next round.
If playing with very young children, an adult can think of the commands and play the role of Simon.

Can you play Simon Says with one child?

Yes, you can still play Simon Says if you don’t have a group of children. You and your child can take turns being Simon and thinking of commands for the other to act out.

Playing one-on-one is a great way to introduce this game to a toddler.

List of Simon Says Game Commands

Simon Says tasks or commands are the actions that Simon instructs the children to perform (or pretend to perform in some cases). Here is a list of 200 to choose from.

Child hopping on one leg. Text reads "The best simon says ideas for kids (200 ideas)."

Many of these will have kids giggling away as they pretend to perform some ridiculous actions.

Either give these commands as they are, or leave off the words “Simon Says” to see if children are paying attention.

Simon says brush your teeth
Simon says run on the spot
Simon says blink your eyes
Simon says tell someone your name
Simon says put your hands behind your back
Simon says swim in the ocean
Simon says stretch as high up as you can
Simon says bend over and look through your legs at the people behind you
Simon says turn the spaghetti on your fork
Simon says purr like a cat
Simon says stick out your tongue
Simon says turn your body into a banana shape
Simon says kick your knees high up
Simon says run to the wall and run back
Simon says read your book
Simon says wink at someone next to you
Simon says shout as loud as you can
Simon says feel your heartbeat
Simon says make a sandwich
Simon says rub your tummy
Simon says crawl like a baby
Simon says bark like an excited dog
Simon says do a handstand
Simon says balance on your surfboard
Simon says give a thumbs up
Simon says clap your hands
Simon says be an octopus
Simon says tickle yourself under your arms
Simon says smell your feet
Simon says close your eyes and make a wish
Simon says hop on one foot
Simon says sing your favourite song
Simon says balance on the tips of your toes
Simon says smile at someone near you
Simon says touch something blue
Simon says go to sleep
Simon says fly your dragon
Simon says jump as high as you can

Little girl jumping with one foot on a hopscotch court

Simon says cry like a baby
Simon says sit down and cross your legs
Simon says spin like a propellor
Simon says put your glasses on
Simon says bite into your apple
Simon says push your baby in a pram
Simon says draw a star in the air
Simon says high five the person next to you
Simon says count your fingers
Simon says lie on your back and pedal your bicycle
Simon says have a chat on your phone
Simon says throw your fishing line in the lake
Simon says make a big yawn
Simon says tell a knock-knock joke
Simon says climb up a mountain
Simon says wash your hair in the shower
Simon says everyone make a big circle
Simon says everyone stand in a line
Simon says hide behind someone else
Simon says milk the cow
Simon says brush your hair
Simon says laugh like you have heard the funniest joke
Simon says draw a shape in the air
Simon says give someone near you a hair cut
Simon says balance a dish of plates in your hand
Simon says hiss like a snake
Simon says move along the ground like a snail
Simon says catch a flying bug with your tongue
Simon says flap your wings and fly like a butterfly
Simon says trumpet like an elephant as loudly as you can
Simon says snap like a crocodile
Simon says leap like a frog
Simon says yawn like a hippo
Simon says run faster than a leopard
Simon says walk like a crab
Simon says roar as loud as you can
Simon says hoot like an owl
Simon says wobble like a jellyfish
Simon says jump around like a monkey, saying “oo-oo-ee-ee”
Simon says tweet like a bird
Simon says ride a horse
Simon says be an angry elephant
Simon says congratulate someone by shaking their hand
Simon says look angry

Simon says look excited
Simon says ask someone a question
Simon says plant a flower
Simon says point to your ears
Simon says touch your ankles
Simon says touch your left shoulder
Simon says twist yourself into a pretzel
Simon says stand back to back with someone
Simon says touch your knees together
Simon says give yourself a big hug
Simon says fold your arms
Simon says do a dance
Simon says wave your hands in the air
Simon says be a tree in the wind
Simon says look left and look right
Simon says drive your racing car
Simon says turn around 3 times
Simon says climb up the stairs
Simon says cross the river without falling in
Simon says fly like a plane
Simon says bend over and touch your shins
Simon says do three jumping jacks
Simon says pat yourself on the back
Simon says count to 10
Simon says wiggle your nose
Simon says tickle your toes
Simon says tap your head
Simon says play the flute

Children playing toy musical instruments

Simon says play the guitar
Simon says play a tune on the piano
Simon says pull your ears
Simon says do a yoga pose
Simon says turn your body into a circle
Simon says sweep the floors
Simon says hammer a nail into the ground
Simon says rub the magic lamp
Simon says tell the genie your three wishes
Simon says have a sword fight
Simon says be a hissing cobra
Simon says cast a magic spell
Simon says take a ride on a witches broom
Simon says stir the soup
Simon says balance on a tightrope
Simon says build a house
Simon says look through your telescope
Simon says act like a pirate
Simon says open a treasure chest and see what’s inside
Simon says tell a story
Simon says sing the Happy Birthday song
Simon says blow up a balloon
Simon says make a cup of tea

Little child playing with tea set and pouring a cup of tea.

Simon says fly a kite
Simon says be an annoying mosquito
Simon says eat a carrot like a bunny
Simon says chase leaves flying in the wind
Simon says open your umbrella
Simon says build a tower with blocks and bash it down
Simon says holds hands with someone
Simon says put your socks and shoes on
Simon says skate on ice
Simon says row your boat
Simon says wash your hands
Simon says hit the tennis ball over the net
Simon says push your baby in a pram
Simon says sit on your chair
Simon says vacuum the floor
Simon says pick a flower and give it to someone
Simon says lift up a heavy weight
Simon says catch a butterfly with your net
Simon says rock your baby to sleep
Simon says walk in really high shoes
Simon says be a scary zombie
Simon says make fish lips
Simon says slam the door closed
Simon says crawl under someone’s legs
Simon says rake the garden leaves
Simon says blow out your candles and make a wish
Simon says juggle your balls in the air
Simon says take a bow
Simon says link arms and make a train
Simon says walk backwards
Simon says link arms with each other
Simon says whisper a word to someone
Simon says make up a silly word
Simon says wag your tail
Simon says groom yourself like a cat
Simon says throw a tantrum on the floor
Simon says put on some earrings
Simon says be a scary monster
Simon says put on your crown and be a princess

Simon says turn into a frog
Simon says make up a new name for yourself and tell someone
Simon says be a scarecrow
Simon says cluck like a chicken
Simon says bleat like a goat
Simon says quack like a duck
Simon says neigh like a horse
Simon says grunt like a pig
Simon says be a wriggly worm
Simon says have a nap
Simon says water the flowers
Simon says be a dinosaur breaking out of an egg
Simon says be an adult dinosaur
Simon says be a peacock and show off your feathers
Simon says run as fast as the gingerbread man
Simon says knit a scarf with your needles
Simon says put your hat on
Simon says stir some sugar into your tea
Simon says be a cheeky monkey
Simon says be a melting snowman
Simon says pretend to kick a ball on your knees
Simon says do a magic trick
Simon says crack an egg on someone’s head
Simon says lick your ice-cream
Simon says count your chickens
Simon says hide in your turtle shell
Simon says pick apples from a tree
Simon says ride your tractor on the farm

How Can I Make Simon Says Easier for Young Kids?

Make these commands easier for younger children by:

Giving only one command at a time (no multi-step commands)
Calling them out slowly and clearly
Starting with the simpler commands (usually those that involve simple body movements such as “put your hands on your head”)

Are you a preschool teacher or working in Early Childhood Education? Would you like to receive regular emails with useful tips and play-based activity ideas to try with your children? Sign up for the newsletter!

Here are more Simon Says ideas and some games similar to Simon Says.