Make it easier:

• Allow 2 or 3 word clues
• Create lists for each team and include their code words, their opponent’s code words, the neutral code words, and the assassin
• Before starting play, have Spymasters create a list of ideas (at least one for each code name) for clues to give their teammates
• Have two Spymasters per team and pair those of different abilities

Make it harder:

• Add a timer for both Spymaster and player turns
• Blindfold the clue-giver to prevent any non-verbal communication (table talk)

Target executive functioning:

• (working memory) On each turn, the clue giver gets 30 – 120 seconds (depending on age / ability) to view the board before they must be blindfolded (this also makes the game harder, above)

Target visual-spatial skills:

• (visual-perceptual skills, motor coordination skills) The clue giver draws their clue (in the style of Pictionary) on a horizontal (easier) or vertical (harder) surface

Target motor skills:

• Play the game on a swing, therapy ball, or scooter. Have players take their turns while swinging, scooting, or laying prone on the ball
• Play the game in a gym and put each code name card at a different station. Before the card can be viewed, the players must perform the exercise or activity at the station (example gross motor: jumping jacks, jump rope, etc. ; example fine motor: puzzle, block tower, etc.)
• For children working on handwriting, have them write out the word from the clue on lined paper. Clue cards are written in all capitals, so this can be a good way to challenge children working on their lower-case letters without a visual model for reference (but who need help with spelling).

Target social-emotional skills:

• For each turn, players share or answer a social question (check out my Social Emotional Question Prompts Bundle with questions for all ages!)
• Have players act out the clue instead of saying the word

Target sensory processing:

• (tactile sensitivity)  Lay the cards on a cookie sheet and cover them with a dry good (rice, beans, etc.). Players will have to gently move the dry food in order to see the cards hidden underneath
• (vestibular-proprioceptive-ocular) Put the cards on a vertical surface about 3-6 feet away from players. Have the players lay supine (on their backs) across a yoga ball with their feet wide to maintain balance. In-between selection of each card, have them lean back and then roll forward (sort of like a crunch on a ball) to challenge three sensory systems at once.

Target math skills:

• On each turn, have players answer an appropriate math problem which matches their ability level before providing a clue