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Nicofiends activity

Copy or Choose?

A playful movement game helping younger children notice the difference between copying someone and making their own choice.

What it explores

Copying others, choosing independently and noticing how each choice feels.
Time
5 to 10 mins
Age
Ages 4 to 7
Setting
Classroom, Youth group, Community setting
Group size
Any group size

Activity at a glance

Best for

Younger children exploring copying, confidence and independent choices through movement.

You’ll need

A clear space where everyone can move safely.

Key message

Sometimes copying is fun. You can still pause and choose what feels right for you.

How to run it

  • Ask the young people to stand where they have enough room to move safely.
  • Explain that you will perform an action and they should copy you.
  • Begin with simple actions such as clapping, waving, jumping, spinning, touching your toes or making a funny face.
  • After several rounds, explain the new choice: they can copy your action, choose a different safe action or watch until they feel ready to join in.
  • Continue for several more rounds, allowing everyone time to copy, choose or watch.
  • Bring the group back together and discuss how the different options felt

Discussion prompts

  • Was it fun to copy?
  • Was it easy to choose your own action?
  • Did you watch what other people chose?
  • How did it feel when your choice was different?
  • Can you think of a time when making your own choice might help?
  • Did you copy, make your own choice or watch?
  • Did your choice change during the game?
  • Can copying sometimes be a safe and sensible choice

Reflection

Remind children that copying is not good or bad by itself. What matters is noticing what is happening and making a choice that feels safe.

Download printable materials

Link To Smoking, Vaping or Nicotine

Leave this field blank. For children aged 4–7, the activity should remain focused on copying, confidence and choice without introducing smoking, vaping, nicotine products or health harms.

Adapting the activity

Make it Easier

Keep the movements simple and practise copying as a whole group before introducing the choice.

Make it Harder

Let participants take turns leading an action. Ask the rest of the group to decide whether to copy the leader or perform an action of their own.

Safety Note

Children can copy, choose their own safe movement or watch. Do not pressure anyone to join in or praise one type of choice more than another. Keep movements suitable for the space and the children taking part.

Ready to Run The Acitvity

Download the activity PDF or go back to the resource hub to find another activity.

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