The classical Hide-and-seek game is probably the most popular game and one of the children’s most favorite activities in the world. It works perfectly as an icebreaker, since the kids will have to start interacting with each other.
No doubt that there’s just something exciting about trying not to be found or trying to find all your friends and family.
Features of Hide-and-seek Game
| ★ Game Name | Hide-and-seek |
| ★ Group size | any |
| ★ Age | kids (5+) and teens |
| ★ Type | active |
| ★ Skill | running and hiding |
| ★ Place | indoor and outdoor |
| ★ Time | up to 10 – 15 min |
| ★ Preparation | no |
| ★ Materials | no |
Aim of the game
The aim of the Hide-and-seek is for the kids to hide in the environment they are in, while one kid counts — this kid counting is called the “it”. Then, the “it” needs to find the kids hiding before the others do. The last one out loses and has to be the next “it”.
Group size and age
The Hide-and-seek game has to be played by children older than 5 and with more than 2 children. The bigger the group the better, since the game will then last longer. So there’s no playing or group limit.
Preparation and Materials
The kids need to make sure that the environment they are in will have enough space for everyone to hide and run. The intention is to be inventive and hide where no one can easily find them.
The skills required are running, counting, hiding, and staying silent and the game can be played in the street, parks, at home with the lights out, or anywhere else their imagination allows.
How to play Hide-and-seek Game
- As the first “it” counts with his eyes closed — normally the counting should go up to 60 — the other hiders need to hide in silence and alone.
- After reaching the 60 seconds, or the designated number depending on how many players are playing, the “it” has to call “Ready or not, here I come!” And then look for all the players hiding in the environment.
- If the “it” locates all the children hiding, the first one to be found will be the next “it”, so he’ll be the loser, and the last player to be found by the “it” will be that round’s winner.
Another way to end the Sardines Game is by a player living his hiding spot and count base. This way, all the other players can leave their hiding spots, touch the home base, and be safe. So the “it” also needs to guard the counting spot.
In some places, a hider is only safe after the yells “free” while touching the base or the “it” will still get him. If a player doesn’t yell free and the “it” caught him, he will be the next “it”.
Alternative versions
The Hide-and-seek is popular worldwide and can have variations according to the culture. This game is passed from one generation to another and that’s how those alternative versions are created.
One of the popular variations is that the players found need to help the “it” locate the remaining players that are still hiding, but the first person found still becomes the next “it”.
In Brazil and Russia, for example, when the “it” spots a hider they both need to run as fast as they can to the base where the “it” was counting, and whoever touches first will win.
Similar games:
How to play Touch Base Hide and Seek
How to Play Camouflage (A classic group game with a twist)