What is the Heads Up Seven Up Game?
Heads Up Seven Up is a skill-based classroom activity for kids. Traditionally, it is played in classrooms, usually organized by a teacher or leader to observe students’ behavior. Students have to find out who secretly selected them while keeping their heads down. They have to use listening skills, reasoning, and intuition to do so.
The game has been popular in the USA since at least the 1950s. It is also known as “Thumbs Up,” “Heads Down,” “Heads Down,” or “Seven Up.” Let us tell you how to play Heads Up 7 Up so you can play it in your classroom.
Heads Up 7 Up Rules
Heads Up Seven Up game is a great classroom activity to cheer all the students. The basic rules are as follows:
- Choose seven students as pickers and have them stand at the front.
- The rest of the players put their heads down and close their eyes with thumbs up.
- The pickers silently tap one thumb each and return to the front.
- Once all picks are made, pickers say, “Heads up, seven up!”
- All the students that got tapped stand up and guess which of the seven people picked them.
- Those who guess correctly switch places with the picker; wrong guessers stay seated.
- A new round starts to repeat the process.
Read More: All You Need to Know About the Egg Drop Challenge
How to Play Heads Up 7 Up: Step-by-Step
Requirements
- A classroom of kids (Minimum 14 kids is the standard.)
- A teacher/leader to oversee.
- Tables or desks (or countertops at home)
- Duration: 15-30 Minutes (5 Minutes/round)
- Age Group: Apt for upper elementary school-age children. Those between 3rd and 8th standard.
- Skills: Social skills, Critical thinking, body awareness, mindfulness, and alertness.
- Objective: Players must guess correctly which “picker” secretly selected them by relying on subtle cues.
Step 1: Choose the Pickers
You need to pick at least 15 players (1 Leader) to play the Heads Up 7 Up game. Seven kids will be the “pickers”, who are also called “7 Up”. The rest will be at their desks. The leader or teacher chooses 7 pickers at random and have them stand at the front of the room*.
Meanwhile, the rest of the players will put their heads down on their desks and close their eyes. They should also either stick one thumb up or place a closed fist on the table. Do not allow any peeking!
*In a variation, the teacher/leader chooses the first picker. The first picker chooses another picker, and so on, until there are seven kids in total.
Step 2: Pickers Tap Thumbs
A picker goes round to touch six other people. The pickers will walk quietly around the room and each tap one person’s thumb. Quiet means real quiet! It should not leave any clues to the students.
If a player’s thumb is tapped, that student sticks their thumb up– it means they have been picked. Each picker must choose only one player. No one can be picked twice in a round.
If you are sitting with your head down, listen carefully to footsteps or small clues to help you guess later.
Step 3: Call “Heads Up, Seven Up!”
Once all seven kids (pickers) have made their choices, these students stand and return to the front of the room. Together, they say “Heads up, seven up!” in unison. Now, everyone who got pressed stands up.
Step 4: Guess Who Picked You
The seven chosen players now take turns guessing which of the seven people tapped them. Each person gets one guess. If you guess correctly, you switch places with the picker who tapped you and become a picker in the next round. If you guess wrong, the original picker keeps their role for the next round.
It is possible to guess correctly if a student sticks to observing details like footsteps or the way the tap felt. Pickers should try to keep a straight face and not give themselves away!
Step 5: Start the Next Round
Once all seven picked players have guessed, the game resets, and the new round begins. Play several rounds to give different players a chance to be pickers. The classic game is played in 3-6 rounds, with each round spanning approximately 5 minutes.
If there are fewer people, modify the Heads Up 7 Up game rules by playing with one picker instead of seven.
Playing with One Picker
To start the classic game with one picker, everyone must close their eyes and rest their fists on their desks. The teacher then quietly taps one student to be “it,” making them the sole picker for the round.
In the next step, the picker moves around the room and taps six more students on the hand. These six who had thumbs tapped joined the picker at the front of the room, creating a group of seven. Once all seven are chosen, they call out, “Heads up, seven up!” signaling everyone to lift their heads and open their eyes. The anticipation builds as the players at their desks prepare to guess who the original picker was.
Finally, the guessing begins! Students raise their hands one by one. The tension rises with each incorrect guess until someone correctly identifies the picker.
To make the classic game even more incentivizing, introduce a small prize to the winner!
Tips to Win Heads Up Seven
- Listen for Footsteps: A smart player pays close attention to the sound of footsteps. Lighter steps might belong to a smaller player, while heavier steps could hint at someone taller or older. The direction of movement can also provide clues about who tapped them.
- Notice Tapping Styles: Every player taps differently. Some tap quickly, while others do it gently. A firm tap might belong to a confident player, while a soft tap could mean someone is trying to avoid being noticed. Pay attention to these small details for guessing.
- Observe Shoes Before the Game: Before putting their heads down, a player should quickly check what shoes others are wearing. When someone walks by, the sound of their footsteps or the way their shoes hit the floor can help identify them.
- Watch for Nervous Behavior: Once the pickers return to the front, some may look guilty or avoid eye contact. A player can scan their expressions– someone trying too hard to act casual might just be the one who tapped them.
- Eliminate Players Based on Position: If a player hears movement near them, they can rule out pickers who were students standing far away when the game started.
- Be an Unpredictable Picker: When a player becomes a picker, they should mix up their tapping strategy. Tapping someone on the opposite side of the room or varying their speed can make it harder for others to guess them. Moving at different paces or even pausing between taps can throw players off.
- Stay Alert Even with Eyes Closed: A player should stay fully focused when their head is down. The smallest details, like a slight breeze when someone walks by or a familiar scent, can provide a clue.
Variations of Heads Up Seven
| Variation | Description | How It Works |
| Spelling Challenge | Players spell a word instead of guessing their picker. | If they spell correctly, they become a picker; if not, they remain a picker. The same word is used until someone spells it correctly. The word is then reviewed and written on the board. |
| Grammar Practice | Players must use proper grammar when guessing. | Instead of just saying a name, they must ask, “Was it [name]?” The chosen person responds in a full sentence. Players can also write their guesses on the board for grammar practice. |
| Math Problems | Players solve math problems before guessing. | The teacher asks a math question related to the lesson. If correct, the player becomes a picker; if incorrect, the same question is asked to the next student. Answers are reviewed for learning. |
| Science Quiz | Players answer science questions before guessing. | The teacher asks a science-related question, such as an element symbol or a biology fact. If correct, the player becomes a picker for the next round. Questions can be drawn from a hat. |
| Fewer Players | Adjusts the game for smaller groups. | Minimum 7 players (3 pickers, 3 guessers, 1 facilitator). The number of pickers should always be fewer than the guessers. |
| More Players | Adapts the game for larger groups. | For more than 25 players, split into two groups or allow pickers to choose up to 3 guessers per turn. |
Heads Down 7 Up
Another popular classroom game similar to Heads Up 7 Up is Heads Down 7 Up. It follows a slightly different format but still relies on observation and social interaction. The main objective remains the same; players must identify who secretly selected them. However, the way selections are made and how players respond vary.
Here are the key differences between Heads Down 7 Up and Heads Up 7 Up:
- Starting Call – In Heads Down 7 Up, the teacher begins by saying “Heads down, thumbs up,” while Heads Up 7 Up starts with “Heads down, seven up!”
- Guessing Process – In Heads Down 7 Up, players are often called in a specific order to guess who picked them. In Heads Up 7 Up, all chosen players guess freely.
- Winning & Rotation – Both games allow correct guessers to swap places with pickers. But Heads Down 7 Up sometimes includes variations like making all chosen students stand up.
Why Heads Up Seven Up is Appealing to Kids?
- Heads Up 7 Up rules are easy to learn.
- Encourages deductive reasoning, listening, and observation skills.
- Provides a fun break when played inside a classroom, while still being structured.
- It can be adapted with educational variations.
- Heads Up 7 Up is a large-group game.
- Creates friendly competition and social interaction.
- Works well in classrooms, parties, or any group settings.
Wrapping Up
Traditionally, Heads Up 7 Up is a classroom game. But you can also organize the game at home and become a part of it. You can play the game with seven people, if not 15. Explain the game rules to everyone before joining the game. Remember, you need at least 15 players for the maximum experience. The more, the better. Heads up Seven Up is often a prelude to the other classroom activities.
As mentioned, teachers use the game to find potential miscreants! Advise your friends so they don’t become one of them. Of course, the game invokes your listening skills and mindfulness. It is educational in that way.
FAQs
How do you play Heads Up 7-Up?
To play Heads Up 7 Up, seven players secretly tap one person each while others keep their heads down and thumbs up. Chosen players guess who tapped them. Correct guesses swap places with pickers for the next round. You have to adjust pickers based on group size to keep the game balanced and engaging.
Why do teachers use the Heads Up 7 Up game in class?
Teachers use Heads Up 7 Up to observe students’ behavior. It helps them identify potential cheaters early and address dishonesty before it affects other games or activities.
Why is it called the Heads Up 7 Up game?
The name “Heads Up 7 Up” refers to the seven students (“pickers”) who stand up (“7 Up”) at the front. They secretly choose players, while others keep their heads down until the guessing begins.
How do I make Heads Up 7 Up rules more fun?
To make Heads Up 7 Up more fun, you can start by setting a lively atmosphere. Let kids make a playful sound when tapped or have multiple pickers per round. Introduce a time limit for guessing. You can also use signals instead of taps or reward correct guesses with small privileges.
How many players are needed for the Heads Up 7 Up game?
Heads Up Seven Up requires at least 14 players: seven pickers and seven guessers. More players make it engaging. However, a minimum of 10 can work if you can adjust the number of pickers.
