Most weekend nights you can find Jill and I playing with the neighborhood kids a game called Manhunt. It's pretty much hide-and-seek but with teams. We find that four to eight people on a team works best. More or less players usually means the game will end up in an arguement. We have found that the best ages for this game are between ten and fifteen years old. This game is best to play at night between 8:45pm-11:00pm. Our particular street likes wearing black clothing to blend in with the dark surroundings.
We begin by making the best players captains and then from there, they select their teams by using the "you pick one then I pick one" method. The team who picks first counts first. The base is normally a tree, stop sign, sewer drain, or electrical box. There are boundaries which are usually the end of our street to the base on the top of the hill.
The hiding team cannot hide within 20yards of the base. While the 'hunting' team counts to 50 the other team hides. Places we like to hide are front and side yards (with home owner's permission), bushes these are the best hiding spots as most of us climb into the middle of them, trees, air-conditioning units, underneath cars and anywhere with shadows from the street lights are good spots too. Backyards are considered cheating and are not permitted. Two people have to make it to base to win, unless the teams are equally matched then half of the team has to make it to base.
While the hunting team splits up to find people. One or two stay behind to guard the base, but they must
be at least 10 yards away. Puppy-guarding is NOT accepted and this usually is when arguements start which end the game. One hand is acceptable for tagging unless it cannot be helped. Pushing, tripping, kicking, clothes grabbing, and head-butting are forbidden as it is very painful and can seriously injure someone. Occasionally parents watch and supervise, but it is not necessary I just think they enjoy watching. Cell phones are not allowed to be used to call and find someone on the hiding team, but they are useful for keeping track of the time and for any emergencies. Flash lights are also not allowed.
This game is so much fun.