Educational Games: Game 9, Hide and Seeds

       
Players shake and roll a jar in an effort to find the items lurking in the seeds. 
Once spotted, the items are checked off a list.

Age Range: 4 to 12
Skills Used: visual discrimination, reading, 
record keeping
Number of Players: 2 to 6
Noise Level: moderate
Activity Level: low
Materials: clear plastic jar with a secure lid, small toys and objects, birdseed, timer, game sheet

Setup

Various objects and small toys are used for this game. They can be related to a particular theme or subject of study. For a dinosaur 
theme, for example, the objects might include toy dinosaurs, archaeological tools (brush and small hammer), bone models, a plastic egg, and a bit of silk fern. A list of the objects is 
written on a game sheet, which also includes spaces for checking off the items as they are discovered. Once the items have been placed in the jar, the remaining space is filled with 
birdseed, leaving an inch or so of empty space so that the seeds will move around enough to reveal the hidden objects.

How to Play

This game is best played as a cooperative activity with a group attempting to uncover as many items on the game sheet as they can 
within a specified time limit. The timer is started, and the group begins manipulating the jar. As each item is found, it is checked 
off the sheet. If desired, teams can compete to find a greater number of items than the first group given the same time limit.

Variations

This game can be changed to fit different holidays and units of study simply by changing the items that are hidden in the seeds. For a unit on space exploration, for example, the toys can be rockets, astronauts, star-shaped beads, foam moon shapes, space program patches, and planet models.
 
A more difficult task is introduced to the game if alphabet beads are placed on bits of pipe cleaner to spell words that fit the theme 
of the jar. For the variation above, for example,the beads could spell out “Apollo 13” or use number beads for “1969” as a reference to the first moon landing.
 
A further challenge can be added by asking players to make a list of the objects that they locate. Lists then can be compared 
among groups to see which team has located 
the most items within the time limit.

Tips

The jar used for this activity must be clear plastic. The size of the jar can make the game easier or harder as desired. Larger and wider
jars have more hidden space and are more challenging. The shapes of certain objects make them extremely difficult to find in this game as well. If the object fills with seeds at one end, for example, that heavier part will tend to stay hidden in the center of the jar and only the lighter parts will protrude from the seeds. Objects that are the same color as the seeds will also be much more difficult to locate.
 
If you believe that your players will resort to opening the container to discover the contents, it might be advisable to use sturdy tape to secure the lid. For some groups, the warning “Do Not Open” written on the cover might be enough. A floor full of birdseed is 
not a good ending for this game! Gluing the top on the jar is not suggested as it does not allow the game to be changed as desired to 
use again and again.
 
Be sure to make a comprehensive list of the objects in the jar before pouring in the birdseed. Once hidden, it can be very hard to 
remember the items or find them again to create the list.Using several similar items with color variations is a way to add complexity to the game or increase the number of target items, 
if desired.
 
Players can be asked to contribute items for the game in advance of the setup to add some interest to the activity. These can be returned 
after the game is recycled to another version.

 Source
Alexis Ludewig and Amy Swan, 101 Great Classroom Games New York, 2007.