No.49
Opposite Actions
Japanese name: あべこべゲーム
Materials
- Up/down/left/right picture cards if needed
How to play
- Face the facilitator and agree on just two pairs of opposites, such as raise/lower and open/close.
- Lower your hands when told “Raise your hands,” and raise them when told “Lower your hands.” Practice slowly.
- Follow the opposite of the spoken instruction for 5–10 calls. The facilitator may move too, but players decide from the words.
- A mistake does not eliminate anyone; continue on the next call. Rest briefly, change callers and finish after about three rounds.
Ways to adapt
Preschool children: begin by copying the same action. Younger primary school children: use two opposite pairs. Older primary school children: say the caller’s words while making the opposite body action.