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This article was co-authored by Chelsea Fisher and by wikiHow staff writer, Raven Minyard, BA. Chelsea Fisher is a parenting and play specialist based in Colorado. Chelsea is a mom of 3 with nearly 10 years of experience creating fun and unique ways to play with her children. She is on a mission to show other parents that playing with your kids doesn’t have to feel like a nagging chore you’ve been putting off all day; something you know you should do, but don’t always have the energy for. Chelsea creates content showing how to make play feel easier, lighter, and more natural for parents everywhere. Known as @chels.fishyy on social media, Chelsea has a community of over 238k followers across TikTok and Instagram.
This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.
This article has been viewed 303,918 times.
Want to put a unique twist on the classic Hide-and-Seek game? Try Sardines! In this game, one player hides, while all the others try to find them. When they do, they hide with them, packing together like sardines. We interviewed a parenting and play expert to teach you how to play Sardines, from setting up to finding the “sardine.” Let’s dive in!
Sardines Game Rules
Parenting and play expert Chelsea Fisher says Sardines is like reverse Hide-and-Seek. Choose 1 player to hide, then after counting to a certain number, everyone else will look for that person. If you find them, you hide with them. The game continues until only 1 person is still seeking.
Steps
Starting the Game
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Set up boundaries for the game. Since you can play this game either indoors or outdoors, it’s important for every player to know where they can and can’t go. For example, if you are playing outside, make sure that everyone understands they have to stay in the yard and not wander over to the neighbor’s two doors down. Of course, the size of the area depends on the number of players and how much space you want to use.[1]- All that matters is that there are enough places to hide.
- How many players do you need? You need at least 3 people to play Sardines, but it’s more fun with a large group. If possible, aim to have 10-20 players.
- How old do you have to be to play Sardines? Anyone can play Sardines as long as they’re old enough to understand the rules, stay quiet, and sit still in dark places. Younger children may struggle with this, so many recommend playing with people who are 8 years old or older.
Meet the wikiHow Expert
Chelsea Fisher is a parenting and play specialist and a mom of 3, who has nearly 10 years of experience creating fun and unique ways to play with her children.
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Make the house as dark as possible. If you are going to play indoors, make the area you’re using as dim as you can so it’s easier for people to hide.[2] Turn out the lights, close the blinds/curtains, and turn off TVs, computer monitors, and any other sources of light. Once you do this, your group can either go outside or start in a neutral area like a foyer.- If there are other people in the house while you’re playing, either restrict your group to one area or do your best to work around them.
- If you're afraid of getting hurt in a dark house, everybody could have flashlights. When you find the person hiding, remember to turn your flashlight off and don't make a sound.
- Or, play another version where all lights are on, and the hunted hides in plain sight, but in a tiny space.
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Choose one person to be “it.” “One person goes to hide,” explains Fisher. “Then everyone’s looking for that one person.”[3] If no one volunteers, try playing rock, paper, scissors or pulling names from a hat. Once a person is chosen, have them go into the house and hide somewhere in the dark. This person is the hider/hunted, and everyone else is a seeker/hunter. -
Find a good place to hide if you’re “it.” The place you choose may depend on how many people you're playing with. For example, if you are playing with 4 other people, you only have to fit 3 other people in with you. On the other hand, if you're playing with 15 other people, then that's 14 people you need to fit in your hiding place beside yourself.- Try hiding under a table or a bed, in a closet under piles of clothes, in a pantry, a spacious cupboard, or even in a doghouse if you find one. Just keep in mind the other people who will be forced to hide with you.
- If you're the hider/hunted and don't like your hiding place, you are free to move. However, be aware that you have to be very fast and sneaky if you hear footsteps.
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Count to 50 or 100 if you’re a seeker. While the chosen person hides inside, the people left outside count to 50 or 100.[4] Do this slowly to give the person hiding some time to find and get into a spot. If you have a larger playing area, like a big house or yard, give the person hiding more time.
Finding the “Sardine”
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Go find the person hiding. When the people outside, or the hunters, are done counting, they shout, "Ready or not, here I come!" and can split up and start looking for the person who is hiding.[5] When you’re playing in a house, the darkness should make finding the player more difficult. However, if you’re playing outside during the day, you will probably have to rely on playing in a large area to make it more difficult.- Make sure that everyone looking works as individuals; there are no teams in this game.
- When trying to find the hiding person, feel your way through the house with your hands since you can't see. Or, if you are worried about breakable objects or bones, give each participant a small flashlight to help them find their way. The flashlight should be used only if necessary and turned off again after overcoming any obstacles.
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Ask, "Are you the sardine?” to the person hiding. If that person is “it,” they must answer, "Yes, I am the sardine." At this point, you become a sardine, too. That is to say, you must hide in the same spot and stay quiet, according to Fisher.[6] You don't want anyone else to find you, so make sure to look around before you hide. -
Continue hiding until one person is left. As everyone discovers the original hider, they have to hide with them. This continues until there is only one person left. Whoever is last becomes the next hider or sardine. Depending on the number of people playing, packing everyone into one space can be both difficult and amusing.[7]- If you're the last person to find the original hider and everyone else, you become it for the next game.
Community Q&A
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QuestionIf there is one seeker left, does everyone come out of the hiding spot, or does the seeker have to find everyone?
GlitterGirl01Community AnswerThe seeker must find everyone; he/she then becomes 'It' for the next round. -
QuestionHow many players are needed?
Community AnswerYou can play with however many you want. If you have a lot of players, you can play in groups of two or three. -
QuestionWhat if the people can't find me and give up?
Community AnswerYou can set up an exact amount of time for the game. Plan a spot where you'll all meet up if the time runs out and no one has found you.
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Tips
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If you find the hiding person and another hunter is nearby, you might want to pretend like you haven't found anything and lead the other hunter into believing the hunted is somewhere else. Leave the room/area and come back shortly when no one is around.Thanks
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This game can easily be played outside or in a house that isn't dark, which can make it safer both for the participants and the household.Thanks
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If you are playing with younger kids, don't play in the dark. This may frighten them.Thanks
Warnings
- Don’t hide in ovens, refrigerators, or any other place that could close behind you! Oxygen is in short supply in these places, and you could quickly suffocate!Thanks
- Be careful if you're playing outside. Make sure to move anything that people could get hurt on before you start.Thanks
References
- ↑ https://www.thegamegal.com/2014/06/30/sardines/
- ↑ https://www.activityvillage.co.uk/sardines
- ↑ Chelsea Fisher. Parenting & Play Expert. Expert Interview
- ↑ https://www.activityvillage.co.uk/sardines
- ↑ https://www.activityvillage.co.uk/sardines
- ↑ Chelsea Fisher. Parenting & Play Expert. Expert Interview
- ↑ https://www.kidspot.com.au/parenting/things-to-do/sardines/news-story/6b77afffcafe97e6769b39e29900ea8f
About This Article
To play Sardines, turn out the lights, close the curtains, and power down all electronics to make the area as dark as possible. Next, choose one player to be "it," give that person time to hide, then feel your way through the dark with your hands looking for that person. If you touch another player, ask "Are you the sardine?" If that person is “it,” they will say, "Yes, I am the sardine." At this point, you also become a sardine and hide in the same spot. Continue hiding until only one person is left! For tips on finding good hiding spots, read on!
Reader Success Stories
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"I was reading a book and the main character was talking about playing Sardines as a child. I had never heard of the game. This article was great. It detailed how to play, along with helpful tips, like using small flashlights. It sounds fun."..." more
