Name and Purpose
- Heads Down Thumbs Up is a calm, suspenseful guessing game that builds observation, deduction, and self-control.
- Players practise sitting quietly, reading social cues, and making considered guesses.
a.k.a.
- Thumbs Up, 7-Up
Age / Group / Time / Space
- Ages 8-16 | 10-35 players | 10-15 minutes | Indoor space with chairs; classroom, cabin meeting room, or large indoor space
Materials
- Chairs, one per player
- Optional: table or firm surface to rest heads on comfortably
- Whistle or hand signal for transitions
Quick-Run Card
- All players sit, heads down, eyes closed, one thumb raised.
- 2-4 Tappers walk quietly around and each tap one player’s thumb.
- Tappers return to the front. Leader signals everyone to look up.
- Tapped players stand and guess who tapped them.
- Correct guessers swap roles with their Tapper; incorrect guessers try again next round.
Setup and Boundaries
- Arrange chairs so all players can reach a surface to rest their heads
- Signal: 1 soft clap = Tappers begin; 2 soft claps = heads up
- Remind players: eyes stay closed and fully covered during the tapping phase
- Check that the room is calm and low-distraction before starting
How to Play
- All players sit with their heads down on their arms and eyes closed. One thumb is raised.
- The leader chooses 2-4 Tappers (those at the front know who they are; others do not).
- Tappers walk quietly around the room and each tap one player’s thumb gently. The tapped player puts their thumb down.
- Tappers return to the front of the room.
- The leader gives the signal: everyone lifts their heads and opens their eyes.
- Each tapped player stands. One at a time, they guess which Tapper touched them.
- Correct guesses: the Guesser and Tapper swap roles. Incorrect guesses: the Tapper stays in their role for the next round.
- A new round begins. Play continues for the agreed time or until everyone has had a turn as Tapper.
I-OPt Options
- A (Active): Play as a Tapper, moving quietly around the room
- S (Support): Help younger players understand the rules by sitting beside them and modelling the thumb position
- Q (Quiet): Sit with head down and focus on listening; use sound cues to try to identify Tappers before guessing
- O (Observer): Help the leader choose Tappers or track whose turn it is
Inclusion Adaptations
- Players who are not comfortable putting their heads fully down may close their eyes and cover them with their hands instead
- Players with hearing sensitivities may find this game especially well-suited, as it rewards careful listening
Stewardship Moment
- No materials used in core game; no waste
- Reflection: “This game asked you to trust that others would follow the rules. How did that feel?”
Consent
- Pre-brief: “This game involves someone coming close and touching your thumb. For those not comfortable with touch, a gentle tap on the table in front of you is another option instead of a thumb tap.”
- Mid-game check: After the first round, check in: “Thumbs up, sideways, or down for how this is going.”
- Re-entry: Any player who steps out of a round may rejoin as a guesser or observer at the next round.
Risks and Mitigation
- Peeking: remind players that peeking makes the guessing round less fun for everyone; frame heads-down as a shared agreement
- Touch discomfort: table-tap alternative offered in consent section; no player is required to accept a thumb touch
- Incorrect guesses causing embarrassment: frame incorrect guesses as keeping the Tapper in a fun role, not a failure
Warm-Up Suggestions
- “Quiet Minute”: group sits in silence for 60 seconds; leader rings a soft signal at the end to reset energy before play
- “Who Moved?”: one player changes their position slightly while others close their eyes; group identifies the change
Debrief Questions
- What? “What clues did you use to figure out who tapped you?”
- So What? “What does it feel like to sit quietly and trust the process?”
- Now What? “When do you need to focus and wait patiently in everyday life?”
Cleanup and Reset
- Return chairs to original positions
- No other cleanup needed
