What Are You Doing?

Age: 7 to adult
Players: Whole Group, Pairs
Time: 10-15 minutes
Tags: #Concentration #Language-Learning #Mime

Quick thinking and action is essential in this funny mime and language game.

Stand in a circle. The first person (A) starts miming an activity, such as eating an apple. The person to their left (B) says “What are you doing?”. A keeps miming and at the same time calls out a different activity. For example, if A is “eating an apple”, they can say “playing the piano”. Then B plays the piano. A stops their action. Now the next person (C) asks B , “What are you doing?”. B keeps playing the piano, but names a different activity, which C must mime. And so it goes on.

There should be no repetition or similar activities. For example if you’re “climbing a ladder” don’t say “climbing the stairs”. Equally, don’t name an activity which looks like the one you’re doing. For example, if you’re cleaning a window, don’t say “waving good-bye” – because it looks similar! Watch the video for more tips.

Director’s Tip

• Play the fast version with a partner: One partner mimes an activity and the other asks, “What are you doing?”. Then it’s the same as above, but just swopping between the two players.