Blind man's buff facts for kids
Blind man's buff is a fun game similar to tag. In this game, one player is blindfolded and tries to catch the others. The word buff in the game's name means a small push. Sometimes, the game is also called "blind man's bluff."
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How to Play Blind Man's Buff
Blind man's buff is best played in a large, open area. This could be outside or in a big room. One player is chosen to be "It." This player wears a blindfold so they cannot see.
The player who is "It" then walks around. They try to touch or catch the other players. The other players spread out and try to avoid being caught. They might hide in plain sight or even tease "It" to make them change direction.
It is very important to play this game in a safe place. Make sure there are no things to trip over or hit. This helps keep the "It" player safe from getting hurt.
Different Ways to Play
There are a few different ways people play Blind man's buff:
- In one common way, the first player that "It" tags becomes the new "It." Then, a new round of the game starts. In China, the tagged player who becomes "It" is called lìng dài.
- Another way to play is that if a player gets tagged by "It," they are out of the game. The game keeps going until only one player is left. Then, a new round begins. The first or last player tagged might become the next "It."
- In some versions, "It" has to feel the face of the person they tag. They try to guess who it is. If "It" guesses correctly, that person becomes the new "It."
- There is a special Japanese version. Young girls wear their kimonos to play. The blindfolded girl must try to catch the others. At the same time, she has to carry a full cup of tea without spilling it! This was shown in an old woodblock print from 1899.
History of the Game
People have been playing games like Blind man's buff for a very long time. A similar game was played in Ancient Greece. They called it "copper mosquito." In Bangladesh, children play a game called Kanamaachhi [কানামাছি]. This means "blind fly." One child is blindfolded and tries to catch the others. The other children run around and say, "The blind flies are hovering fast! Catch whichever you can!"
The game was also played during the Tudor period in England. Even Henry VIII's friends played it in his royal court. It was also a very popular game in homes during the Victorian era. A poet named Robert Herrick wrote about it in one of his poems.
Today, the game is still played in many parts of the world. This includes countries in Asia like Afghanistan and many places across Europe, such as Germany.
Games Like Blind Man's Buff
There are other games that are similar to Blind man's buff:
- Marco Polo is a children's game often played in a swimming pool. The player who is "It" closes their eyes. They call out "Marco." The other players must reply "Polo." This helps "It" know where they are, making it easier to find them.
- Another game is Hide and clap. In this game, one person is "It" and is blindfolded. They try to find the other players. The players who are hiding must clap three times. After the first clap, "It" tries to find them by the sound. If "It" cannot find them, they ask for a second clap. If they still cannot find them, they ask for a third and final clap.
Images for kids
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Petit Livre d'Amour, by Pierre Sala Partie
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Children in Ghana
See also
In Spanish: Gallina ciega para niños
