My Partner Hides, I Find
In pairs, one child hides a large scarf in the room while the other waits with eyes covered, then they switch roles. Children practice finding their way around the room, taking turns and trusting a partner.
How to play
- Sitting in a circle, the teacher hides a scarf with one corner showing and a volunteer finds it, so everyone sees a little corner must stay visible (2 min).
- In pairs, the seekers sit in the circle covering their eyes and slowly sing “Little scarf, little scarf, where did you go?” while the hiders hide (2 min).
- All the seekers go at once to find their partner's scarf; the partner walks along and may point if it's taking a long time (2 min).
- Switch roles: now the other partner hides (2 min).
- New rounds with a twist: hide the scarf somewhere high, somewhere low or under something (3 min).
- Put the scarves away by folding them in pairs like a bedsheet (1 min).
Rules
- While my partner hides, I cover my eyes and don't peek.
- I always leave a little corner of the scarf showing.
- If I find another pair's scarf, I leave it where it is.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, hide inside a small area marked with cones and leave the scarf almost in plain sight.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, use the whole room with one corner showing.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, the hider gives clues with position words: “It's under something blue, near the window.”
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the partner hides at a height the child can reach from a wheelchair.
- Visual impairment: hide a stuffed animal with a bell, and the partner gives clues by clapping.
- Autism: let the child always hide in three set places shown beforehand.
Learning goals
- Find their way around the room and remember where something was hidden.
- Take turns hiding and seeking.
- Help a partner without giving away the answer.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Large scarves: 13
Teacher tip
Before starting, clear away anything that's off-limits (computer, high shelves). The usual mistake is stuffing the whole scarf in a drawer, which is why the corner rule matters.
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