🔀 Switch Places If...

What you need

Equipment: Chairs in a circle (or spots on the floor). Arrange chairs in a circle, one fewer than the number of players. Everyone sits, and one player stands in the middle. The host prepares about 15 'Switch places if...' statements.

How to play Switch Places If...

1. The player in the middle says 'Switch places if...' and adds something that is also true for them: 'you love chocolate.'
2. Everyone it applies to stands up straight away and looks for a new chair.
3. The player in the middle also rushes to grab a chair.
4. No going back to the chair you just left, and no pushing.
5. Whoever is left without a chair goes to the middle and calls the next statement.
6. The host makes sure every statement stays positive and kind.
7. Every few rounds, the host calls a 'super' statement: 'Switch places if you are breathing!' Everyone moves.
8. You can also play without chairs: stand in a circle with marks on the floor.

Scoring and wrapping up

Scoring: Not ending up in the middle for 5 rounds = 3 points. The statement that moves the most people = 2 points to whoever called it.

To finish: Last round: 'Switch places if you had fun!' Everyone stands up and the whole group gives a round of applause. Finish on a high.

By age

• Ages 5-6: the adult calls all the statements and kids just switch.
• Ages 7+: kids in the middle invent their own statements.

Variations

• Big group: use two circles or play standing with floor markers to keep it safe.
• Capy twist: on 'Capy switch!', everyone must change places and move like an animal the caller names.

Tips for the adult in charge

• Start with statements that fit lots of people so everyone gets moving.
• Keep a list of prompts handy for kids who freeze in the middle.

Safety

Use sturdy chairs, and no rough running or pushing.

🖨️ Printable Switch Places If prompts

Read one aloud when the player in the middle gets stuck.

1. ☐ Switch places if you love chocolate
2. ☐ Switch places if you have a pet
3. ☐ Switch places if you are wearing something blue
4. ☐ Switch places if you have a brother
5. ☐ Switch places if you have a sister
6. ☐ Switch places if you like pizza
7. ☐ Switch places if you have been to the beach
8. ☐ Switch places if you can swim
9. ☐ Switch places if you like to draw
10. ☐ Switch places if you were born in summer
11. ☐ Switch places if you play a sport
12. ☐ Switch places if you like rainy days
13. ☐ Switch places if you have ever been on a plane
14. ☐ Switch places if you ate breakfast today
15. ☐ Switch places if you like to sing
16. ☐ Switch places if you have curly hair
17. ☐ Switch places if you love ice cream
18. ☐ Switch places if you read a book this week
19. ☐ Switch places if you are wearing socks
20. ☐ Switch places if you are breathing (everyone!)