Hide-and-seek

Hide-and-seek (pronunciation: /ˈhaɪd ən ˈsiːk/) is a popular children's game involving two or more players. The game originates from an unknown source, although it has been played for centuries across different cultures.

Etymology

The term "hide-and-seek" is derived from the English words "hide", meaning to conceal oneself, and "seek", meaning to look for something. The game is known by various names in different languages and cultures.

Gameplay

In hide-and-seek, one player, known as the "it", closes their eyes for a predetermined number of seconds while the other players hide. The "it" then tries to locate and tag each of the hiding players. The game continues until all players have been found. The first player found often becomes the "it" for the next round.

Variations

There are many variations of hide-and-seek, including versions where the "it" has to guess the hiding spots of the other players, and versions where the hiding players can change locations during the game.

Related Terms

Tag: Another popular children's game, often combined with hide-and-seek.
Sardines: A variation of hide-and-seek where one person hides and the rest of the players seek. When a seeker finds the hider, they join them in their hiding spot.
Kick the can: A game related to hide-and-seek where the "it" can free captured players by kicking a can.