How to Play "Mother May I": 9 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow Gather a group of three or more people, choose your "mother," and have the mother stand about 10-20 feet away from everyone else. The children will take turns asking questions beginning with "mother may I" with the goal of reaching the mother. Or, play as a team by having questions, movements, and penalties apply to a group of kids, or a team.