Huckle buckle beanstalk facts for kids

Huckle Buckle Beanstalk is a fun game where players hide an object and others try to find it. It's also known by names like Hide the Object or Hide the Key. You might have heard it called Hot Buttered Beans or Hunt the Thimble too!

This game is a type of parlour game. You need at least two players. One person hides the object, and the others search for it. People have been playing this game for a long time. It's popular in many countries around the world.

How to Play Huckle Buckle Beanstalk

Playing Huckle Buckle Beanstalk is easy and exciting! First, choose a small object to hide. It could be anything, like a coin or a toy.

One player is the "hider." The other players are the "seekers." The seekers must close their eyes and cover their ears. Or, they can leave the room while the hider hides the object.

Once the object is hidden, the hider calls out, "Come and find it!" Sometimes, seekers count to a high number, like 60 or 100, before they start looking.

The seekers then search for the hidden object. The first person to find it wins the round! When they find it, they shout, "Huckle Buckle Beanstalk!" This lets everyone know the object has been found.

Different Ways to Play

There are a few fun ways to change up Huckle Buckle Beanstalk. In one version, the person who finds the object doesn't shout right away. Instead, they pretend to still be looking.

They might walk around and then suddenly shout "Huckle Buckle Beanstalk!" This can trick the other seekers. As more players find the object, they also pretend to search before shouting.

This version adds a bit of a challenge. Players enjoy seeing how quickly they can find the object. They also like to see how long they can keep the secret from others.

Some games are called "central person" games. This means one player has a special role. In some versions of this game, the roles can be swapped.

Instead of one hider, all players might try to hide an object from one seeker. They could pass it around behind their backs. This is how games like 'Hide the Key' or 'Hunt the Slipper' are often played.

Using Hot or Cold Clues

Sometimes, especially with just one seeker, the hider gives clues. This is called playing "hot or cold." The hider tells the seeker how close they are to the object.

If the seeker is far away, the hider says they are "cold." If they are very far, they might say "freezing!" As the seeker moves closer, the hider says they are getting "warmer."

When the seeker is very close to the object, the hider says they are "hot." If they are moving away from the object, the hider tells them they are getting "colder." This helps the seeker find the object faster.

This game has been mentioned in books and TV shows. For example, the famous writer Charles Dickens wrote about a similar game. He called it "hot boiled beans and very good butter."

The game also appeared in an episode of the TV show Full House. A character named Michelle played it to find an engagement ring. It even gets a mention in the old computer game Planetfall.