Hide-and-seek
Hide-and-seek (sometimes known as hide-and-go-seek) is a children's game where some players hide, and one or more players try to find them.[1] One person is chosen to be "it" and covers their eyes while counting to a set number. While "it" counts, everyone else finds a place to hide. When "it" finishes counting, they shout "Ready or not, here I come!" or "Coming, ready or not!" and starts looking for the hidden players. Once someone hiding is found, they are out of that round. The last person found is the winner, and the first person found usually becomes "it" for the next round.[2]
 A 19th-century painting of three children playing hide-and-seek in a forest (Friedrich Eduard Meyerheim) | |
| Players | 2+ |
|---|---|
| Setup time | c. 90 seconds |
| Playing time | No limit |
| Random chance | Very low |
| Random chance | Very low |
| Skill(s) required | Running, tracking, hiding, observation, ability to stay silent, patience |
In another version of the game, the seeker stays at a spot called "home base" and counts there. After hiding, players try to run back to home base without being tagged. If a hider reaches home base safely, they cannot be caught and are safe for that round.
Hide-and-seek Media
Children playing hide-and-seek
Hide and Seek (painting 1881)
Nascondino World Championship 2016, in Consonno, Italy
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References
- ↑ Williams, Jenny (20 August 2009). "30 Classic Outdoor Games for Kids". Wired: Hide and Seek. https://www.wired.com/2009/08/simpleoutdoorplay/. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
- ↑ Trafton, J. Gregory; Schultz, Alan; Perznowski, Dennis; Bugajska, Magdalena; Adams, William; Cassimatis, Nicholas; Brock, Derek (August 2003). "Children and robots learning to play hide and seek" (PDF). Naval Research Laboratory. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 October 2022. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
