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Fun Hide and Seek Games

for Parties and Play!

Hide and Seek is an old, tried and true game that has been played for centuries!

What you need to have a Great Game of Hide and Seek!

Most of all, Hide and Seek Games need active, inquisitive children and space for them to run and hide That's it!

Many versions of the game exist. It dates back to the 2nd century Greece and was described in ancient writings by the Greek writer, Julius Pollux. It is so simple and spread around the world, that it may date back much further.

Hide and Seek is a game that is found throughout the world including Spain, France, Israel, South and Central America (Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile, Honduras and El Salvador) and Nigeria.

Hide and Seek is best played by four or more players. It can still be fun playing with fewer children. It can be played indoors or outdoors–just make sure there are enough space and hiding places. Preschool children should be paired 2 together and shown how to play the game.

Traditional Hide and Seek

The person who is “IT” must find the other players who are hiding.

Choose who will be “IT“.
“IT” closes or covers their eyes and counts to 50, or 100 or any designated number.
While “IT” is counting, the other players quickly find places to hide.
“IT” then goes looking for the other players.
When he finds a hidden player, that person is then out.
The last player to be found becomes the new “IT“
And it starts over and continues until time runs out or children run out of energy or focus.

It shows that Simple is Often Best.

Kick the Can

(My favorite! Friday nights on Mt. Stone, which borders Missoula, Mt, on the south side of town, is where the kids on “the hill” as we called it, played Kick the Can and it was so much fun!)

Here the players “Kick the Can” to avoid being caught.

Place an empty can in a large open area.
Choose who will be “IT.” Designate a spot near the can to be the “jail.”
While “IT” counts to 50 or another designated number, the other players hide.
After “IT” reaches the designated number, “IT” tries to find the hidden players.
When “IT” sees another player, “IT” calls the player’s name and location.
Then both “IT” and that player race to where the can is, and try to be the first to Kick the Can.
If the “IT” kicks the can first, then that player goes to jail.
If the player kicks the can first, then all the prisoners (players who are already in the “jail”) are set free, and “IT” must count again.
If “IT” catches all the players, the game begins again with a new “IT.”

Another variation has “IT” start counting while facing a wall. The other players run and hide. “IT” starts the mission of finding the other players. Once “IT” finds a player, both race to the sport where “IT” originally counted. Whoever touches that spot first winds the game.

Flashlight Hide and Seek

For this version, you will need flashlights and darkness.

“IT” counts to 50 or anther designated number while the other players hide.
“IT” looks for the other players with the flashlight off. Once found, “IT” turns on the flashlight and puts the found person in the “spotlight.”
The child who had the light shine on them then takes the flashlight (turned-off) and tries to find another player to whom the flashlight will be turned over to.
This game can go on for a long time. It would be appropriate to put a time limit on this activity.

This is a common game theme and varieties can be found around the world. Maybe you can find more and share them.

For games for Pre-Schoolers see:

We have a reference library that includes Hide and Seek Variations.

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