Overview
Signals is a social observation and stealth game where participants secretly pass a “signal” around the circle using unique hand motions while one player in the middle tries to catch who currently has it. The game encourages focus, quick thinking, and subtle communication.
How It’s Played
- Have the group stand in a circle.
- Choose one participant to be “It.”
- The person who is “It” stands in the middle of the circle.
- Each participant creates their own unique hand signal or gesture.
- Go around the circle so everyone shares and practices their signal with the group.
- The person who is “It” should also learn everyone’s signals.
- The person who is “It” closes their eyes while the group quietly selects a starting player to begin with the signal.
- Once the game starts, the goal is to secretly pass the signal around the circle without being caught.
- To send the signal:
- A player performs another participant’s unique signal.
- To receive the signal:
- The receiving participant performs their own signal to show they now have it.
- Players continue passing the signal from person to person around the circle.
- The person who is “It” watches carefully and tries to identify who currently has the signal.
- If “It” correctly catches the signal-holder:
- That participant becomes the new “It,” and
- A new round begins.
Variations
- Encourage players to use subtle or quick movements to make the game more challenging.
- For younger groups, allow simpler signals that are easier to remember.
- Increase difficulty by speeding up how quickly the signal must be passed.
- In larger groups, allow participants to pass signals across the circle instead of only to nearby players.