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Who's the Leader?: A no-prep energizer for kids, teens and adults

One detective steps outside. The class picks a secret leader, who starts an action, and everyone copies it and says it: "We're swimming!" The detective comes back, watches, and has three guesses to find the leader.

Free, no sign-in. A4 and US Letter. Answer keys included.

The how-to-teach video comes out on Tue 3 Nov.

• Ages 5 to adult: Kids, teens, adults
• Beginner +: About pre-A1 to B1
• 5 to 10 minutes: Three or four rounds
• Nothing to prep: Works seated, up to 50
• We're …ing!: Action verbs, present continuous

Free printables

Everything you need for the game, ready to print in black and white.

• Teacher guide and action cards (2 pages, PDF): How to play, tips and the language on one page, then 24 action cards in four sets to cut out for the leader or the board. A4 · US Letter
• Worksheet: Support, Core, Challenge (4 pages, PDF): -ing words, the detective's notes puzzle, and a present simple or continuous report, with a QR code for home practice and an answer key. A4 · US Letter

Who's the Leader? in four steps

1. Choose a detective. One student is the detective. They step outside the door, or turn around and close their eyes.
2. Pick a secret leader. The class quietly points to one student. The leader starts an action, like swimming. Everyone copies and says it: "We're swimming!"
3. Change the action. Call the detective back. Every few seconds the leader changes the action ("We're typing!", "We're eating noodles!") and the class follows.
4. Three guesses. The detective asks "Is it Leo?". Three guesses to find the leader. Then the leader is the next detective.

Tip: Tell the class to copy someone near them, not the leader, or everyone stares at the leader and gives them away. Use one freeze signal (hand up, count down from three) when it gets loud.

Easier: Write the actions on the board first, or hand the leader a few action cards. Harder: The detective says every new action out loud: "Now they're dancing!" Teens and adults explain their guess: "It's Mia. She always moves first."

Actions you can call out right now

Four sets of actions

Whisper a set to the leader, or write it on the board for the Easier version. Everyone copies and says it: "We're writing!"

In class: writing, reading, typing, drawing, sleeping, cutting paper

Sports: swimming, running, jumping, skiing, playing tennis, riding a bike

At home: eating noodles, brushing our teeth, washing our faces, cooking, sweeping, singing

Silly: dancing, flying like birds, driving a bus, playing the guitar, walking like robots, lifting weights

All 24 are on the action cards, ready to cut out.

Language

Action verbs and the present continuous for the class, "Is it…?" for the detective, and a reason for older students.

We're swimming!, Now they're typing., Is it Leo?, It's Mia. She always moves first.

Why it works

The class says what it is doing while it does it, so every sentence matches a real action, and the detective asks "Is it…?" and "What are they doing now?" because they really need the answer to win.

What you need

Nothing at all: students stay in their seats. About 5 to 10 minutes for three or four rounds. The free printables above cover everything else.

Practise at home

The worksheet QR code opens the Sports word search, free, no sign-in.

Make a Sports Spin the Wheel

Spin, then the whole class acts it out and says it: "We're skiing!" Free, no AI needed. Make it free

More classroom games

• Human Bingo: The ice breaker for any class, seminar or training day
• Yes, No, Stand Up: A no-prep energizer before class starts, for kids, teens and adults
• Find the Spy: A hidden-role speaking game for kids, teens and adults
• Running Dictation: A reading, speaking, listening and writing race
• Who Stole the Pumpkin?: A Halloween mystery speaking game for teens
• Ghost Story Chain: A Halloween speaking game for teens
• Draw My Monster: A Halloween listening game for kids and teens

Who's the Leader? FAQ

Do I need anything for Who's the Leader?

No. It needs no prep and works with students in their seats. The free action cards help with younger classes and the Easier version.

Does it work with a big class?

Yes. Everyone stays seated and copies with their arms. With 40 or more, use two detectives who guess together, and the freeze signal to get quiet.

What language does it practise?

Action verbs and the present continuous ("We're swimming!", "Now they're typing"), plus "Is it…?" questions. Older students give reasons: "She always moves first."

How do I stop students giving the leader away?

Tell them to copy someone near them, not the leader. Then the action spreads across the room and the detective has to watch closely.

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