Hound and Hunter

Name and Purpose

Hound and Hunter builds listening skills, communication, and partnership through an active search game.
Pairs develop a personal signal and then rely entirely on that signal to work together.

a.k.a.

Age / Group / Time / Space

Ages 8-16 | 10-40 players in pairs | 15-25 minutes | Outdoor field or large indoor space with places to hide objects

Materials

Pre-hidden objects: wrapped items, small beanbags, laminated cards, or other non-food alternatives (see Stewardship note)
Optional: a whistle or horn for the start signal
Cones or markers to define the play boundary (recommended for outdoor use)

Quick-Run Card

Hide objects around the space before play begins.
Players pair up. Hound shares their unique bark with their Hunter.
On the signal, Hounds spread out and search. Hunters wait in place.
Hound finds an object and barks. Hunter follows the bark and picks up the object.
Round ends when all objects are found or time is called.

Setup and Boundaries

Define the search area clearly with cones or natural markers before hiding objects
Signal: one short whistle blast = start; two blasts = stop and gather
Staff should know where all objects are hidden in case the round needs to end early
Check the space for hazards: holes, sharp objects, bee nests, or traffic

How to Play

Before the activity, staff hides objects around the defined space (roughly one object per pair plus a few extras).
Players pair up. Each Hound decides on their unique bark sound (or other animal noise) and shares it with their Hunter only.
Hunters stay in their starting zone when the signal is given.
Hounds spread out and search the space for hidden objects.
When a Hound finds an object, they do not touch it. They bark their signal sound repeatedly.
Only the matching Hunter may retrieve that object. Other Hunters may head toward the same object if their Hound also barks at it (creating a race).
Hunters collect objects; Hounds continue searching.
Play ends when all objects are found or the facilitator calls time.
Count total objects collected per pair. Celebrate all participants.

I-OPt Options

Start: A (Active): Choose to be the Hound and start searching at full energy
Start: S (Support): Choose the Hunter role and focus on listening closely to your partner
Start: Q (Quiet): Choose the Hunter role and listen from a calm standing position
Start: O (Observer): Watch the first round and jump in as a Hound or Hunter in round two
Mid: A (Active): Search energetically across the whole space as a Hound
Mid: S (Support): As a Hunter, help your Hound by listening carefully and moving quickly
Mid: Q (Quiet): As a Hunter, wait and listen patiently rather than guessing where to go
Mid: O (Observer): Watch from the boundary and help track which objects have been found
Late: A (Active): Swap roles with your partner for a second round
Late: S (Support): Help collect and count objects at the end
Late: Q (Quiet): Return to the boundary and prepare for the debrief
Late: O (Observer): Join the group for the count and debrief
End: A (Active): Help reset the space for a second round if desired
End: S (Support): Help collect any un-found objects and report their locations
End: Q (Quiet): Listen during the debrief
End: O (Observer): Share one word about what it was like to rely on a single sound

Inclusion Adaptations

Players who cannot run or move quickly can take the Hunter role and direct their Hound using verbal cues rather than following the bark; the Hound brings the object to them
Players who are not comfortable making loud sounds may use a different personal signal (a clap pattern, a wave, or a whistle) that their Hunter agrees to watch for

Stewardship Moment

Original version used wrapped candy; this rewrite substitutes non-food reusable objects (beanbags, laminated cards). This avoids food-related issues and means objects can be used again
Cleanup is built into the game: finding all objects is the goal, so the space is naturally cleared
Reflection: “We hid things and then searched together to bring them back. How does caring for a shared space feel different when it’s a game?”

Consent

Pre-brief: “In this activity, Hounds make a sound to call their Hunter. For those not comfortable making animal sounds, a clap pattern or hand signal works just as well. You and your partner decide together.”
Mid-game check: After the first round, pause briefly. “How did the communication go? Ready to swap roles or try again?”
Opt-out/re-entry: Any player may step to the boundary at any time. Re-entry is open; they can rejoin as a Hunter watching from the boundary.

Risks and Mitigation

Hounds running in a large open space and colliding: remind Hounds to watch where they are going; walk near other players
Objects hidden too well and not found: staff keeps a list of hiding spots and can drop hints to extend play
Multiple Hunters converging on the same object: clarify in the pre-brief that only the matching Hunter picks it up; other Hunters wait for their own Hound to bark

Warm-Up Suggestions

“Partner Listen”: pairs stand back-to-back; one whispers a number, the other holds up that many fingers in front of them and guesses
“Follow the Sound”: one partner closes their eyes; the other claps softly to guide them across the space

Debrief Questions

What? “How well did your signal work? Did your Hunter find you every time?”
So What? “What made the communication between you and your partner work or not work?”
Now What? “When else do we rely on one clear signal to get help or find our team?”

Cleanup and Reset