Cuckoo, Where Are You? Hide-and-Seek

A hide-and-seek for the youngest players: hiders call back “Cuckoo!” every time the seeker asks “Where are you?”, so nobody ends up alone or scared. It builds sound location, orientation and the confidence to play hide-and-seek without fear.

How to play

1. In a circle, practice the call and response: the teacher says “Cuckoo, where are you?” and everyone answers “Cuckoo, here I am!” (1 min).
2. The teacher hides very close by and kids find them by following the “Cuckoo!” (2 min).
3. Now kids hide in pairs inside the area while the teacher seeks and calls; each pair answers when they hear the question (3 min).
4. Whoever gets found helps seek by calling the question too (3 min).
5. Final round: a pair of kids seeks, and the teacher hides with the others to help them answer (3 min).

Rules

• When you hear “Where are you?”, answer “Cuckoo!”
• Hide where you can see the teacher.
• If you're found, help look for the others.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: seek from the wheelchair; hiders choose accessible spots.
• Hearing impairment: hiders also stick out a hand and wave it while calling “Cuckoo!”
• Autism: the child can always hide with the teacher until they feel safe.

Learning goals

• Locate where a sound is coming from.
• Enjoy hide-and-seek without feeling afraid.
• Follow the game's call and response.

Teacher tip

Hiding can feel scary at three, so let them hide with heads showing and be found quickly. Each round is short, so play lots of them.

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