Pie (game) facts for kids

Pie, also known as Pieman, Pieman, is a fun outdoor game. More than three children can play it. No one knows exactly where this game came from. There is also a similar version called Easter Eggs.

This picture shows the Pieman, drawn by W.W. Denslow.

How to Play Pie

This game needs a special spot for players to sit. This could be porch steps or a garden wall. This area is called the "Pie Shop" or "Bakery."

You also need a "Goal" far away from the sitting area. A tree, a post, or another object can be the Goal. You will also need an open space, like a lawn or field, for chasing. This chasing is like the game of Tag.

Setting Up the Game

First, choose three main roles for the players.

• One player is the Pieman.
• Another player is the Buyer.
• All other players are the Pies.

Sometimes, the Buyer is called Simple Simon. This name comes from an old Mother Goose rhyme:

Simple Simon met a pieman

Going to the fair;

Says Simple Simon to the pieman,

"Let me taste your ware."

To start, the Buyer goes to the Goal. They must not see or hear the other players. The Pieman then gives each "Pie" player a name. These names are common pie filling flavors. For example, Apple, Blueberry, or Pumpkin.

Once all the Pies have names, the Pieman calls the Buyer back to the Pie Shop.

Playing a Round

The Buyer comes back and asks, "Pieman, Pieman, I would like a pie." The Pieman then asks, "And what might that Pie be?"

The Buyer then names a pie flavor, like Apple. If a Pie player has been named Apple, they quickly run from the Pie Shop to the Goal. At the same time, the Buyer runs after them. The Buyer tries to tag the Pie.

Both the Pie and the Buyer must touch the Goal. After touching the Goal, they both run back to the Pie Shop. If the Pie gets back to the Pie Shop without being tagged, they sit down again. They will get a new name for the next round.

The chase can be tricky! Players might dodge around things. These could be lawn furniture, flower beds, or clotheslines. Any obstacles on the path to and from the Goal can make the chase more fun.

Paying the Pieman

Before the Buyer chases a Pie, they must "pay" the Pieman. The Pieman asks for a price, like "10 dollars."

To pay, the Buyer slaps the Pieman's open, upward-facing hand. They count aloud the number of "dollars" needed. Paying the Pieman gives slower or smaller Pies a head start. This makes the game fair for everyone.

What Happens if You Get Tagged?

If the Pie gets "tagged" by the Buyer during the chase, roles switch!

• The tagged Pie becomes the new Buyer.
• The old Buyer becomes a Pie.

Then, the game starts again with the new roles.

Game Variations

There are a few different ways to play Pie. These variations can make the game more interesting.

Easter Eggs

This version is great for younger children. They might not know many pie flavors. Instead of pie fillings, players are given colors. For example, red, blue, green, or purple.

In Easter Eggs, the Pieman becomes the Easter Bunny. The sitting area is called the Easter Basket. The game then plays out in a similar way.

Witch Variant

In another version, the Buyer is called the Witch. The Witch asks the Baker (Pieman): "Do you have any pies today?" The Baker replies, "What kind do you want?"

If the Witch names one of the Pies, that Pie must run. They run around a special spot, like a tree or a light post. The Witch chases them. If the Pie gets back to the Pie Shop safely, the game continues.

However, if the Pie is caught, they become the new Witch. The old Witch then becomes a Pie. They sit with the others on the Pie Shop shelf. The game keeps going with the new roles.