Q&A for How to Play Hide and Go Seek

Just breathe slowly and quietly through your nose. Try to relax and think calm thoughts.

All you need is people to play with. Find some people to play with and start a game.

Yes, just drape the blankets over the space under the bed so if the "it" glances over there, they won't see you.

Ten to 30 seconds work the best.

Just yell as loudly as you can for everyone to come back to a central location. If some people are still missing, walk around and keep yelling.

It is standard for the person who has been caught to either go and sit in the "found" or "out" area or to join the seeker in finding the people yet to be found. However, it all depends on the game rules for the game you're playing, which can vary as much as the players want them to.

It depends on the version you are playing. In the traditional version, you wait until everyone else has been found. In the meantime, look out for future spots for the next game, or help players who have not been found; you could just relax and wait until the round is over.

If you have no friends try making some. Other options are to play with your family and relatives, or you could play a game like Minecraft and invite them to your server to play online if you have good internet and all that. Or, whenever you see others your age playing it you could ask to join in and you might even make some friends.

Hiding under a car isn't safe! Find another spot. If you want to be camouflaged, wear clothes that match your surroundings or wear dark clothes if you're playing at night (just watch for moving vehicles and don't run out into the street).

You can, but why would you want to? The point is to avoid getting caught for as long as possible.

Try to avoid hiding by or in a car if you can. People can look through the windows and under the car. But if you have to, hide on the opposite side by a tire so they can’t see your feet under the car. I wouldn't suggest hiding behind somebody else. If the seeker finds you both at the same time, they could probably just choose who they want to be "it" next, and it might be you.

First-timers to the game do not understand the game mechanics. They have not seen anyone play a game of hide-and-seek (probably), they may be interested, probably if they watch some YouTube videos or access this article.

Yes, you can.

Yes, you can. As long as the seeker doesn’t find you or tag you, you can move to another place from your original spot.

That's up to you, but "Safe!" or "Base!" are pretty common. You can also just make something up if you like!

You can make up your own rule about that. But it might be best to let someone else be it if the person is having that much trouble.

Of course! There is no age range for hide and go seek even though it seems like a child's game. It could be a whole lot of fun playing it as just adults.

Once you get a turn and you finish or could not find the hiders, then you should not have to seek again. Everybody needs to have a turn.

You can hide in any spot you like, depending on the rules. Although, if you did, it would make it obvious to seekers as they will look there first.

It is cheating. You should not cheat just to win, the point of the game is to have fun and everyone won't have fun if the seeker or anyone is cheating.

Yes, Just make sure it won't bark so loudly that the dog gives away your hiding spot.

Yes, but two people are easier to find than one.

Hide and seek can be played as soon as a child can walk, about 1 year old. Most children start really understanding the rules around age 3.

The origin of the phrase is unknown. The Dictionary of American Regional English says the phrase may be derived from "all ye, all ye outs in free," "all the outs in free," or possibly ”calling all the outs in free”; in other words, "all who are out may come in without penalty."

Yes, if it's a very large suitcase and you're a very small person. However, the possibility that you might get trapped inside makes it a bad idea.