The Opposite Game
logic game for kids 5+
Your child always does the exact opposite of what you say.
In short
In The Opposite Game, your child always does the exact opposite of what you say. First you agree together on a few opposite pairs, like sit and stand or loud and quiet. You don't need any materials. The game suits kindergartners who enjoy a good mental twist, and it practices switching their thinking and braking an impulse.
What you need
- Nothingjust the two of you
How to play
- Agree on four to six opposite pairs first: sit and stand, loud and quiet, head and toes.
The full instructions are in the printable pack
3 more steps and 3 ideas to make it harder in the printable pack
All further steps and the ideas to make it harder are in the printable pack, together with all sheets to print.
See the printable packWhen it fits
- When your child is going through a phase of contradicting everything anyway, and you would rather turn it into a game.
- While waiting for the bus or standing in line at the checkout, since nothing is needed.
- After dinner, as a short, funny game before things calm down.
What your child practices
- Mental flexibility
- Braking the impulse
- Holding rules
Kids often have to switch gears: when a new task at school works differently from the last one, or when a different rule suddenly applies at home. Part of this is pausing the first reaction for a moment and checking whether it fits right now. The Opposite Game makes this moment visible, and mix-ups usually lead to laughter instead of frustration.
Works well before or after
Before, Simon Says works well because its rule is simpler. Afterward, Wrong Color practices the same contradiction with colors.