Section 5: Rules of Play
Basic Gameplay
- One player is designated as the "seeker" (often through a selection method like drawing straws, counting out, or volunteering)
- The seeker closes their eyes or faces a wall at the designated home base and counts aloud to a predetermined number (typically 20-100, depending on the size of the playing area)
- While counting, other players hide within the established boundaries
- After counting, the seeker calls out "Ready or not, here I come!" and begins searching for hidden players
- When the seeker finds a hidden player, that player is "caught" and joins the seeker at home base
- The game continues until all players are found or a time limit is reached
Variations
Traditional Hide and Seek
- First player found becomes the seeker in the next round
- Last player found wins the round and earns the right to hide in the next round
Sardines
- One player hides while all others count
- Seekers search individually
- When a seeker finds the hidden player, they quietly join them in the hiding spot
- Game continues until all players are hiding together in the same spot
- Last player to find the group becomes the hider in the next round
Home Base Hide and Seek
- Hidden players can "free" themselves by running to home base without being tagged by the seeker
- Seeker must tag players before they reach home base
- First player caught becomes the next seeker