One to Ten

Name and Purpose

• One to Ten is a lively memory-and-movement game where the action sequence grows one step at a time until the group has completed a chain of ten.
• Players practise listening, memory, sequencing, and cooperative silliness.

a.k.a.

• Simon Says Stacking, Action Accumulator, Add-On Madness

Age / Group / Time / Space

• Ages 7-12 | 8-40 players | 10-20 minutes | Open indoor or outdoor area with enough room for everyone to move freely

Materials

• No materials required.
• Optional: a printed list of 10 actions on a card for staff reference.

Quick-Run Card

1. Everyone spreads out in the open area.
2. Leader calls action 1. On Go, everyone does it, then sits or returns to their spot.
3. Leader calls action 1, then action 2. Everyone does both in order, then sits.
4. Continue adding one new action each round until the sequence reaches 10.
5. Celebrate together when the group completes all 10 actions.

Setup and Boundaries

• Mark or identify the boundaries of the play area.
• Signal: one raised hand from staff means pause; two claps means stop and gather attention.
• Remind players to be aware of others around them when doing movement-based actions.
• Check the space for wet patches, uneven ground, or trip hazards.

How to Play

1. Players spread out across the open area so they each have personal space.
2. The leader introduces action 1 and demonstrates it. On Go, everyone does the action. Players then return to their spot or sit.
3. The leader introduces the same action 1 again, followed by action 2. Everyone does actions 1 and 2 in order.
4. Each round, one new action is added to the sequence. Players perform the full sequence from the beginning each time.
5. Continue until the group has completed a sequence of 10 actions.
6. If the group gets confused or loses track, that is part of the fun. Laugh and try again from the most recent point.
7. Round ends with a group cheer when all 10 are done.

Suggested Action List (staff can swap any)

• Shake hands with someone nearby
• Lie on your back and put your feet in the air
• Run around the leader
• Do a forward roll or touch the ground three times
• Clap your hands five times
• Yawn once, as big as you can
• Hop over four people who are crouching low
• Do a cartwheel or spin around three times
• Jump up and down 10 times
• Shout Hooray as loud as you can

I-OPt Options

Start:

• A (Active): Dive into every action with full energy.
• S (Support): Help players near you remember the sequence.
• Q (Quiet): Do the actions at a smaller, calmer scale.
• O (Observer): Watch the first two rounds to learn the sequence, then join in.

Mid:

• A (Active): Perform each action with dramatic flair.
• S (Support): Quietly count the sequence steps aloud for players around you.
• Q (Quiet): Focus on seated or small-movement actions and join the active ones when comfortable.
• O (Observer): Continue watching; join when the sequence reaches a length that feels right.

Late:

• A (Active): Lead a round by calling the next action for the group.
• S (Support): Celebrate when players remember a tricky part of the sequence.
• Q (Quiet): Sit for the big physical actions and stand for the quieter ones.
• O (Observer): Help keep track of which number the group is up to.

End:

• A (Active): Lead the group Hooray at action 10.
• S (Support): Help count down to the final action with the leader.
• Q (Quiet): Clap along with the celebration.
• O (Observer): Share one action that was your favourite to watch.

Inclusion Adaptations

• Every action in the suggested list can be adapted for seated players. Lying down becomes leaning back in a chair; cartwheels become spinning in place or waving both arms.
• For players with sensory sensitivities, the loud Hooray at the end can be replaced with a silent cheer (hands waving in the air).

Stewardship Moment

• No materials needed means no waste. This game runs entirely on memory and movement.
• Reflection: You just did 10 things as a group without anything except yourselves. What does that tell you about what you are capable of?

Consent

• Pre-brief: This game involves doing a growing list of physical actions together. For those who prefer a lower-intensity version, doing each action smaller or seated is a great option throughout.
• Mid-game check: After round 5, pause and check in. Thumbs up, sideways, or down. How is everyone feeling?
• Opt-out and re-entry: Any player may sit out a round and rejoin at any point. No explanation needed.

Risks and Mitigation

• Collision during running or leaping actions: remind players to be aware of personal space before each active action.
• A forward roll or cartwheel causes injury: offer an alternative (touch the ground three times or spin in place) before the game starts.
• Players with different ability levels feel left behind: reinforce that the group succeeds together; no one is scored individually.

Warm-Up Suggestions

• Body Shake: shake hands, then arms, then your whole body for 10 seconds.
• Group Count: the group counts to 20 together with no one saying two numbers in a row. A gentle way to build listening.

Debrief Questions

• What? Which action was the hardest to remember?
• So What? What helped you keep track of the sequence?
• Now What? When in daily life do you need to remember a series of steps in order?

Cleanup and Reset

• No materials to collect.
• Check the play space for any litter or hazards before the next activity.