🔁 Do the Opposite
The world has turned upside down: whatever the leader says, players do the opposite. Say "Sit!" and everyone stands. It looks easy until the leader speeds up, and then the giggles start. It is a great focus game for classrooms, kindergartens and after-school groups.
What you need
Equipment: Nothing. Players stand in a circle or a line facing the leader, with space to move. Explain that the world has flipped and every command must be done the other way around.
How to play Do the Opposite
- Demonstrate: "If I say sit, you stand. If I say run, you stay still."
- Play a slow warm-up round of 4 commands with nobody out.
- Now play for real: give quick commands such as "Sit!", "Shout!", "Jump!", "Hands up!"
- Each player does the exact opposite.
- Anyone who follows the command as said goes to the side and helps judge.
- The leader tries to trick players with speed, tone of voice and repeats.
- Every minute, add a new pair whose opposite is less obvious, such as "Be quiet!" (everyone talks loudly).
- When three players are left, give a command every 2 seconds.
Scoring and wrapping up
Scoring: Each minute you survive: 1 point. Last player standing: 5 points.
To finish: The last player is the Opposite Champion and gets to lead the next round.
By age
- Ages 4-6: no elimination. Use five simple pairs (up and down, sit and stand, loud and quiet) and let mistakes slide.
- Ages 7-10: elimination rounds with faster commands.
- Ages 11+: combine two commands at once, such as "Sit down and whisper!"
Variations
- Big group: instead of going out, players who slip up lose a life (three lives each), so nobody sits out for long.
- Capy twist: Capy's normal day. When the leader says "Capy says", the command must be done normally, not reversed.
- Opposite faces: the leader names a feeling and players pull the opposite face.
Tips for the adult in charge
- Start slowly and speed up. Everyone gets muddled and falls about laughing.
- Agree on the opposites of tricky commands before the real round so it stays fair.
🖨️ Printable 'Do the opposite' command list
Read the command on the left. Players must do the opposite on the right.
- ☐ Sit down | Stand up
- ☐ Hands up | Hands down
- ☐ Jump | Stand still
- ☐ Be quiet | Talk loudly
- ☐ Close your eyes | Open your eyes
- ☐ Smile | Frown
- ☐ Walk forward | Walk backward
- ☐ Go fast | Go slow
- ☐ Make yourself tall | Make yourself small
- ☐ Laugh | Look serious
- ☐ Hands on your head | Hands on your feet
- ☐ Look up | Look down
- ☐ Step left | Step right
- ☐ Freeze | Wiggle
- ☐ Whisper | Shout
- ☐ Open your arms wide | Hug yourself
- ☐ Stand on one leg | Stand on two legs
- ☐ Clap | Hide your hands
Questions and answers
How is 'Do the opposite' different from Simon Says?
In Simon Says you follow commands only when Simon says. In Do the Opposite you always do the reverse, which tests a different kind of self-control.
What are good opposite commands for kids?
Sit and stand, hands up and hands down, loud and quiet, fast and slow, open and close your eyes, smile and frown.