I spy facts for kids

I Spy is a fun guessing game where one person, called the Spy, secretly picks an object they can see. They then give a clue, and the other players try to guess what the object is. It's a great game to play almost anywhere!

How to Play I Spy

I Spy is easy to learn and can be played by anyone. You need at least two players.

Choosing the Spy

First, decide who will be the Spy for the first round. You can take turns, or play a quick game like Rock, paper, scissors to decide.

Giving Clues

The Spy secretly chooses an object that everyone can see. They must not tell anyone what it is! Then, the Spy gives a clue by saying:

• "I spy with my little eye something beginning with..." and then they say the first letter of the object. For example, if the object is a car, they say "C".
• Another way to give a clue is by saying: "I spy with my little eye something that is..." and then they say the color of the object. For example, "I spy with my little eye something that is blue."
• You can also give clues about how the object sounds (like "something that sounds like 'dog'"), its shape, or even give a description. For example, for a watch, you might say "something made of metal and glass that makes a quiet noise."

Remember, the Spy cannot change the object once they have chosen it. Also, if you are moving, like in a car, make sure the object will be visible for long enough for players to guess it. It's a good idea to decide if you will spy objects only inside or only outside the car.

Guessing and Winning

After the Spy gives a clue, the other players take turns guessing what the object is.

• Players can ask questions like "Is it the tree?" or "Is it on your left?"
• The Spy can only answer "yes" or "no" to these questions.
• Sometimes, if players are having trouble guessing, the Spy can give extra clues.
• A fun variation is for the Spy to say "Hot" if a guess is close to the object, or "Cold" if it is far away.
• Once a player correctly guesses the object, they become the new Spy for the next round!
• If younger children are playing, you can just pass the role of Spy around in a set order to make it fair.

The game relies on trust. The Spy is the only one who knows the correct answer, so everyone trusts them to be honest.

Why Play I Spy?

I Spy is one of the first games many children learn. It's popular because:

• It needs no special equipment.
• You can play it almost anywhere, indoors or outdoors, with as many people as you want (as long as there are at least two players).
• It's great for long journeys or when you have to wait, like at a doctor's office. It helps keep boredom away!
• It helps kids practice their listening and speaking skills.
• It's a clever game that helps you solve puzzles and think logically.
• Playing I Spy helps you become more observant about the world around you. You learn about colors, shapes, and textures.
• It can also help grow your vocabulary by thinking about different words for objects.
• It keeps your mind busy and entertained!

Images for kids

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  A patient playing "I Spy" with picture cards to help with brain functions.

See also

In Spanish: Veo veo para niños