Retro Games: How to Play “Mother May I?”

Mother May I is basically another form of Simon Says. It is a great game to play at the end of a meeting or class time because the players do have to concentrate, which keeps the noise down. It also is one of those lovely games that helps children practice listening skills.

Not that they need that, for goodness sakes.

It is a fun game, one that has been around for a very long time. It is believed to have been played in the 1700s and was quite popular during Victorian times.

How to Play

You’ll need a group.

1. Designate one player as “Mother” (or “Father”) and place her at one end of the room.
2. The remaining players line up at the opposite end of the room. If you happen to be playing outside, keep “Mother” and the players about 20 feet apart.
3. The first player asks, “Mother may I (hop five hops, take seven giant steps, or whatever movement the player can think of)?”
4. Mother will give one of several answers. “Yes, you may” or “No, you may not but you can (suggest action)”. No matter what Mother says the player must do it.
5. Play ends when a player tags Mother. That player then becomes Mother.

photo credit: Visit Greenwich

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Tagged as: children's games, group games, mother may I, Parenting, play