How to Play Simon Says – Tips, Rules & Benefits
Complete guide to Simon Says: step-by-step rules, pro tips, and the cognitive benefits of this free memory game. No download needed.
How to Play
- A sequence of colors flashes on screen.
- Watch the full sequence carefully.
- Now repeat the sequence by tapping the colors in the same order.
- Each successful round adds one more color to the sequence.
- One wrong tap ends the round.
Pro Tips
- Verbalize the sequence as you watch it — "red, blue, green, yellow" spoken mentally creates a second memory trace.
- Group the colors into chunks of 3: treat a 9-color sequence as three groups of three.
- Stay calm — anxiety is the main cause of forgetting the sequence under pressure.
- Practice building longer sequences deliberately rather than hoping to get lucky.
Cognitive Benefits of Simon Says
- Working Memory Capacity: Simon Says directly and measurably increases working memory — the ability to hold and manipulate information in real time.
- Auditory-Visual Memory: Watching a visual sequence while internally rehearsing it verbally trains both visual and verbal memory simultaneously.
- Sequential Processing: Reproducing multi-step sequences trains the brain's ability to follow complex multi-part instructions.
- Anxiety Regulation: Performing under the pressure of a growing sequence trains composure — staying clear-headed when stakes are high.
FAQ
What is the average Simon Says sequence length?
Most adults can reliably reproduce sequences of 7±2 items (Miller's Law). Consistent training can push this to 10–12+ items.
Is Simon Says good for ADHD?
Yes — Simon Says is one of the most recommended cognitive games for ADHD because it directly trains working memory and sustained attention, the two most impaired functions in ADHD.