Recreation for EveryoneA world of ideas for playing together.
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Chapter 2 · Indoor Games

No.67

How Many Are Hidden?

Japanese name: いくつ隠した

Suggested ages
Approximately age 5 and older (preschool and up)
Group size
Pairs
Suggested time
5-10 minutes
Location
A tabletop or floor mat

Materials

How to play

  1. Count five blocks together. Choose a hider and guesser; the guesser turns away.
  2. Hide 0–5 blocks under the cloth and leave the rest visible. Do not hide any elsewhere or under the table.
  3. The guesser turns back, counts visible blocks and says how many are hidden. If two are visible, three are hidden.
  4. Lift the cloth and check that visible and hidden blocks total five. Recount together if needed. Swap roles after three questions.

Ways to adapt

Preschool children: start with 3 blocks in total. Younger primary school children: 5–10. Older primary school children: use a mentally manageable total, such as 20.

Sources and references

More from this chapter

Here are a few more ideas to explore.

Indoor GamesNo.39

Find the Leader

Observe the whole circle rather than staring at one person. Use seated actions without demanding very fast changes or large movements.

Suggested ages
Younger primary school children and older
Suggested time
8-10 minutes
Group size
8-20 people
Indoor GamesNo.40

Fruit Basket

Demonstrate walking first so the activity does not become a rush for seats. For young children or a group unfamiliar with each other, give everyone a seat and let an adult remain…

Suggested ages
Approximately age 5 and older (preschool and up)
Suggested time
10 minutes
Group size
8-24 people
Indoor GamesNo.41

Captain Says

This is a listening game; never give dangerous or embarrassing commands. Explain clearly that some rounds require staying still.

Suggested ages
Approximately age 5 and older (preschool and up)
Suggested time
5-8 minutes
Group size
3-30 people