Hot Potato and Simon Says — Classic Games With Modern Twists

The Classics That Defined Childhood Game Nights

Ask anyone to name a game from their childhood and Hot Potato and Simon Says will appear on almost every list. These games have defined the play experience of generations precisely because they deliver something essential and irreplaceable — the combination of suspense, movement, and shared laughter in its purest form.

What makes these games worth revisiting as adults is that with the right variations and the right group they become genuinely hilarious entertainment that works for everyone from toddlers to grandparents.

Hot Potato — The Complete Guide

What you need: Any small object that can be passed safely (a ball, a rolled sock, a small stuffed animal, or an actual potato), music source, and a group of willing players.

Setup: Players stand or sit in a circle. The object is given to one player. The person controlling the music should not be visible to players or should face away from the group.

Step-by-step gameplay:

Step 1: The music starts. Players immediately begin passing the object as quickly as possible around the circle. The rule is simple — you must pass it as soon as you receive it. Do not hold it. Do not throw it across the circle. Pass it to the next person.

Step 2: The music controller stops the music at a random moment. The key to good Hot Potato is truly random stopping — vary the intervals significantly so no one can predict when the music will stop.

Step 3: Whoever is holding the object (or has just received it) when the music stops is eliminated.

Step 4: That player leaves the circle. The circle tightens. The game continues with the same remaining players now closer together.

Step 5: Continue until two players remain. The final round with two players and one object creates maximum suspense. The winner is the player NOT holding the object when the music stops.

What to Use as the Potato

The actual potato: Using a real potato adds delightful absurdity to the game. The slightly awkward shape makes it harder to pass cleanly and creates better fumble moments.

Themed objects: Match the object to your occasion. A wrapped gift at Christmas. An egg (plastic) at Easter. A pumpkin (small) at Halloween. Themed objects add atmosphere.

Increasingly challenging objects: Start with a ball. Progress to a balloon. Then a water balloon for outdoor play. The increasing challenge level across rounds creates a natural difficulty progression.

The mystery box: Use a small gift box that has been wrapped. The suspense of what is inside adds an extra dimension. Reveal the contents to the ultimate loser as their prize/penalty.

Hot Potato Variations That Elevate the Game

Truth Potato: When the music stops the player holding the potato must answer a Truth question before leaving the circle. This hybrid of Hot Potato and Truth or Dare creates a game where elimination is not dreaded but eagerly anticipated for the story it will generate.

Dare Potato: Same concept but with Dares instead of Truths. The dare must be completed before the eliminated player leaves the game. Watching players perform dares in the middle of the Hot Potato circle adds incredible entertainment.

Multiple potatoes: Use two or three objects simultaneously. Players now have to manage receiving and passing multiple objects at once. This version is delightfully chaotic and creates much more laughter than the single object version.

Reverse Hot Potato: The person who catches the object when the music stops wins that round rather than being eliminated. They choose the next category, pick the next song, or give the next dare. This positive reinforcement version works beautifully for younger children who find elimination discouraging.

Cooperative Hot Potato: Set a goal — pass the potato around the circle a specific number of times before the music stops. If the group succeeds everyone wins a small prize. If the potato is being held when the music stops that player must complete a challenge before the group can try again. This version builds team identity rather than competition.

Simon Says — The Complete Guide

What you need: Just players and a designated Simon. No other equipment required.

Setup: One player is designated Simon and stands at the front of the group. All other players stand where they can see Simon clearly and have enough space to move.

Step-by-step gameplay:

Step 1: Simon gives instructions. Each instruction either starts with Simon says or does not. Simon says touch your nose. Simon says jump three times. Clap your hands. Wave your arms.

Step 2: Players must follow ONLY instructions that begin with Simon says. If Simon says touch your nose everyone must immediately touch their nose. If Simon simply says clap your hands players should NOT clap.

Step 3: Any player who follows an instruction that did not start with Simon says is eliminated. Any player who does NOT follow an instruction that started with Simon says is also eliminated.

Step 4: The game continues with increasingly tricky instructions until only one player remains. That player wins and becomes the next Simon.

Simon Says Strategies for Being a Great Simon

Build momentum then break it: Give a series of 5 or 6 quick Simon says instructions to establish a rhythm. Then deliver one without Simon says in the same rhythm and watch players follow out of habit.

Use your body as a misdirect: Perform the action yourself while giving the instruction without Simon says. When you say clap your hands without the Simon says prefix and also clap your own hands simultaneously a remarkable number of players will follow.

Speed variation: Start slowly and build speed with each instruction. The faster you go the more players rely on muscle memory rather than listening carefully for Simon says.

Pause and stare: After saying Simon says stand completely still and stare at the group. The silence makes players uncertain whether they are supposed to be doing something. Those who move unnecessarily are eliminated.

Simon Says Variations for Advanced Play

Simon Says for adults: Adult instructions create hilarious moments. Simon says pretend your phone battery just died. Simon says act like you are in a meeting you really do not want to be in. Simon says demonstrate exactly how you dance when no one is watching. Simon says show everyone your thinking face when you cannot remember something.

Themed Simon Says: Choose a character and all instructions fit that character. Robot Simon only gives mechanical instructions. Chef Simon gives cooking-related instructions. Fitness instructor Simon gives exercise instructions. The character theme adds a performance element that makes the game more entertaining.

Relay Simon Says: Two teams compete simultaneously with different Simons. Teams score points for each player who survives each round. The team with more surviving players after 5 rounds wins. Having two games running simultaneously creates cross-team laughter as both groups watch each other fail.

Combining Hot Potato and Simon Says

Simon Says Hot Potato is a gloriously chaotic combination game. Simon controls both the music for Hot Potato and gives Simon Says instructions while the music plays. Players must pass the potato AND follow Simon Says instructions simultaneously. The cognitive overload creates spectacular failures and genuine laughter.

This combination works best with groups who know both games well and are ready to embrace the wonderful chaos of trying to do two things at once.