Sardines

Name and Purpose

• Sardines flips the classic hide-and-seek format: one person hides while everyone else searches.
• Players practise patience, spatial awareness, and quiet cooperation as the group gradually disappears.

a.k.a.

• Seek and Hide, Reverse Hide-and-Seek

Age / Group / Time / Space

• Ages 8-16 | 8-30 players | 15-30 minutes | Large outdoor area or building with defined, known boundaries

Materials

• No equipment required
• Optional: cones or flags to mark search boundaries

Quick-Run Card

1. Set clear boundaries. Everyone closes eyes while one player hides.
2. Seekers spread out individually and search quietly.
3. When a seeker finds the hider, they squeeze in and hide alongside them.
4. The group keeps shrinking until one seeker is left looking for everyone.
5. The last seeker becomes the hider in the next round.

Setup and Boundaries

• Walk the boundary with the group before play begins so everyone knows the search zone
• Signal: 1 whistle = pause everyone in place; 2 whistles = gather at the start point
• Check for hazards: trip risks, dark areas, or off-limits zones
• Identify any hiding spots that are off-limits (e.g., rooftops, locked rooms, dense bush)

How to Play

1. One volunteer hides while everyone else stands at the start point with eyes closed. Count aloud together to 60.
2. Seekers spread out individually. Going in groups is not the goal.
3. When a seeker finds the hider, they quietly squeeze in and hide with them. No loud signals.
4. Play continues until only one seeker remains searching.
5. The last seeker to find the group becomes the hider in the next round.
6. If anyone feels uncomfortable in the hiding space, they may quietly step out and tell a staff member. They rejoin as a seeker for the next round with no impact on the game.

I-OPt Options

• A (Active): Search independently across the full boundary area
• S (Support): Help a newer player understand the search zone boundaries
• Q (Quiet): Search slowly and methodically; enjoy the calm
• O (Observer): Stay near the start zone; join when the group is found

Inclusion Adaptations

• Players with mobility differences can focus on an agreed section of the search area
• Players who prefer not to hide in confined spaces can take the role of last-round hider in an open but agreed spot (e.g., behind a tree rather than inside a bush)

Stewardship Moment

• After the round, check the hiding spots for any litter or disturbance and tidy as a group
• Remind players to leave hiding spots as they found them

Consent

• Pre-brief: “This game involves hiding in close spaces with others. For those not comfortable with tight or dark spots, choosing a more open hiding location is another option. You can also let a staff member know before play starts.”
• Mid-game check: If a player steps out early, staff check in quietly without drawing attention.
• Opt-out/re-entry: Any player can step out at any time. They rejoin as a seeker at the next round.

Risks and Mitigation

• Player gets lost or wanders out of bounds: walk boundaries clearly before play; use whistle signal to recall everyone
• Hiding spot is uncomfortable or cramped: remind players before play that they can change spots quietly
• Player hidden alone for too long: set a maximum search time (8-10 minutes); blow whistle and ask hider to call out if not found

Warm-Up Suggestions

• “Statues”: players freeze in a pose on signal; good practice for staying still and quiet
• “Boundary Walk”: the whole group walks the search area together before play starts

Debrief Questions

• What? “What did you notice when you found the group and had to stay quiet?”
• So What? “What made it harder or easier to find the hiding spot?”
• Now What? “When in everyday life do you have to stay calm and patient while waiting?”

Cleanup and Reset

• Collect any boundary markers
• Check hiding spots for any leftover items