Seven Up (game) facts for kids

Heads Up, Seven Up is a fun game often played in classrooms. It's also known as "Seven Up" or "Thumbs Up, Seven Up". In this game, players try to guess who secretly pressed their thumb or tapped their head. It's a game of mystery and memory!

How to Play Heads Up, Seven Up

To begin, seven players are chosen. They stand at the front of the room. The teacher or a chosen player then calls out, "Heads down, thumbs up!"

Players Put Heads Down

All other players put their heads down. They also close their eyes tightly. Each player holds one thumb up. This makes it easy for the chosen players to press a thumb.

Secret Thumb Pressing

The seven chosen players walk around the room. Each of them secretly presses down one person's thumb. They do this quietly and quickly. After pressing a thumb, they return to the front. Sometimes, instead of pressing a thumb, they gently tap a player's head. This part usually takes about one minute.

Guessing Who Pressed Your Thumb

Next, the teacher or player calls out, "Heads up, seven up!" All players then lift their heads. The players whose thumbs were pressed stand up. Each standing player takes a turn. They try to guess which of the seven players pressed their thumb.

Winning and Continuing the Game

If a player guesses correctly, they get to sit down. The player they guessed then takes their place at the front. This new player becomes one of the seven. The game then starts all over again.

Making the Game Fair

Sometimes, players who guess later have an advantage. They might see who others have already guessed. To make it fair, the teacher can change the order. They might call players from front to back. Or they could go from left to right. This keeps the game exciting for everyone!

History of the Game

This popular elementary school game has been played for a long time. It has been a classroom favorite in America since at least the 1950s. It might even be older than that!