Telephone with Gestures
Like the Telephone game, but without words: in lines of five, a gesture travels from child to child by copying, and at the end it's compared with the original. It builds observation, memory for movement and waiting for a turn.
How to play
- We sit in lines of five, each facing the back of the child in front; the teacher explains that the gesture is a secret and travels forward (2 min).
- The last child in each line watches the teacher do a gesture (combing hair, licking an ice cream cone, being a monkey), taps the shoulder of the child ahead, who turns, watches and passes it on the same way (3 min).
- The first child in the line stands up and does the gesture they received; the teacher shows the original and we laugh at how it changed (2 min).
- We rotate places in the line, and now a child makes up the gesture (2 min).
- To finish, all the lines do the last original gesture together (1 min).
Rules
- I wait for a shoulder tap before I turn around.
- I copy the gesture as best I can, without talking.
- If the gesture changes, that's okay: that's the fun part!
- Everyone gets a turn in every spot in the line.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, lines of three and very simple one-part gestures (wave, clap, touch your nose).
Standard
For 4-year-olds, lines of five and one-action gestures.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, two actions in a row (“I put on my hat and sneeze”).
Adaptations
- Visual impairment: the gesture is passed by touch, gently guiding the classmate's hands, or the child starts the line next to the teacher.
- Limited mobility: play seated with arm and face gestures.
- Autism: place them at the start or end of the line to cut down waiting, and let them know when their turn is coming.
Learning goals
- Watch and remember a gesture to repeat it.
- Wait for a turn while staying focused.
- Express actions using only the body.
Teacher tip
Choose short, very visual gestures; long ones get lost by the second child. Kids usually all turn around to peek, so play one demo line in front of the class first.
PatioLab has "Telephone with Gestures" and 8714 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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