🐒 Copy Me
A leader stands at the front making moves, funny faces and sounds, and the whole group copies them exactly and at the same time. It is the classic follow-the-leader for little ones, with a few twists that keep older kids on their toes too.
What you need
Equipment: Nothing. Arrange players in a half circle so they can all see the leader, with room to move. Pick a confident first leader.
How to play Copy Me
- The leader stands at the front and starts making movements, faces and sounds, one at a time.
- The whole group copies at the same moment, exactly, sound included.
- The leader changes the move every 5 to 10 seconds and slowly speeds up.
- Anyone who gets it wrong, lags behind or does something different steps aside and becomes a judge.
- The leader may not do dangerous or embarrassing moves.
- After a minute, the host calls "New leader!" and picks someone else.
- Advanced round: the leader does two moves in a row, and the group must copy both in order.
- Secret leader round: the host secretly picks a leader in the circle, and a guesser in the middle has to work out who is leading.
Scoring and wrapping up
Scoring: Survive a whole round without a mistake: 2 points. Leader who catches out the most players: 3 points.
To finish: Play until everyone has led at least once, then crown the Copycat Champion.
By age
- Ages 4-5: no one goes out. The adult leads first, using big, slow moves and animal sounds.
- Ages 6-9: elimination rounds and faster changes.
- Ages 10+: the secret leader round and two-move sequences.
Variations
- Big group: play the secret leader round, where the whole circle copies and one guesser tries to find the leader.
- Capy twist: Capy's echo. The group copies the move two steps late, so you must remember the previous move while watching the new one.
- Follow the leader walk: the leader walks around the room and everyone follows in a line, copying.
Tips for the adult in charge
- With little ones, skip the elimination and just play for fun.
- Suggest moves to a leader who gets stuck: flap like a bird, row a boat, brush your teeth.
Questions and answers
How do you play follow the leader with toddlers?
An adult leads with big, slow moves and fun sounds, and nobody goes out. Change moves every 10 seconds or so.
What is the secret leader version?
Players stand in a circle and one guesser waits outside. A secret leader starts the moves, everyone copies, and the guesser has three tries to find who is leading.