How to Play Heads Down Thumbs Up

Author Info

Last Updated: December 17, 2024

"Heads down, Thumbs Up" is a traditional children's game that is played primarily in schools. Also known as "Heads Up, Seven Up", the game is often used by teachers when students cannot go outside for recess due to inclement weather. In addition, the game also provides opportunities for children to practice listening and to interact with one another.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Playing the Standard Rules

Download Article

This game is best played in a classroom with desks.^{[1]
X
Research source}
The volunteers should come to the front of the room.^{[2]
X
Research source}

Advertisement
Tell everyone who is not one of the selected volunteers to rest their heads on the table. They should also be told to close their eyes tightly and raise one thumb up.
4
Have the chosen volunteers circulate throughout the room. They are to choose one person and press down on that person's thumb (turn that person's thumbs up to a thumbs down). They then return to the front of the room.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- One volunteer can only press one person's thumb down. This means that in total there should now be seven individuals with thumbs down, while the rest of the room still has their thumbs up.
- Volunteers should be as quiet as possible so as to confuse those with their heads down.
5
Call "heads up, seven up". Ask those whose thumbs have been turned down to guess which volunteer touched them.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- Children who go guess after others who have guessed generally have an advantage, especially if one or more volunteers have been correctly eliminated. To make the game fair, the teacher can change up how the seven selected individuals are called upon to guess the person who touched their thumbs (e.g., call students front-to-back, left-to right, or in alphabetical order, etc.).
Students who guess wrong remain seated. Students who correctly guess who pressed their thumbs swap places with those volunteers and go to the front.
The game can last as long as you like. Because it's short, you can repeat it as many times as you want!

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Playing Variations

Download Article

You can play the game with two or more selected volunteers who circulate around the classroom. Depending on the size of the group, you may want to have more volunteers. However, keep in mind that having just one volunteer doesn't work!^{[5]
X
Research source}
Instead of saying "heads down, thumbs up," the teacher can signal the beginning of the came with the call "heads down all around."
The teacher can say "heads up, stand up," once the seven volunteers have returned to the front of the classroom. In this version, everyone then stands up from their desks.
Instead of having the volunteers turn down the thumb of their selected person, they can tap or gently press on their thumbs.^{[6]
X
Research source}

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

Could I make it a rule to break the players' thumbs?

Community Answer

No, you shouldn't do anything like that. Someone could get seriously hurt.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 190 Helpful 145
Question

If my student starts having a heart attack, should I still tap their thumb?

Community Answer

No. Call for medical assistance.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 23 Helpful 20
Question

How old do you have to be to play this game?

Community Answer

There's not really a specific age, but it's probably around six.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 7 Helpful 6

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

Try changing the number of volunteers for smaller group sizes: 2 volunteers for a group of 4, 3 volunteers for a group of 6, etc.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0