United Kingdom / Europe (widely used in scout and school settings; exact folk origin unclear but traditional stealth guessing game)

Keeper of the Keys

Also known as Key Game, Stealing Keys

A blindfolded player sits guarding keys; others try to steal them silently.

5+ playersAges 6+In or outCalmSmall space
The rules

How to play

1

One player sits in a chair blindfolded (or eyes shut, head down) with a set of keys (or a pile of pebbles, or any jangly found object) at their feet.

2

All other players sit in a large circle around them.

3

One at a time (or whenever bold enough), a player creeps silently forward to steal the keys.

4

If the keeper hears movement, they point directly at it, that player is sent back.

5

The first player to steal the keys and return to the circle without being pointed at wins and becomes the new keeper.

Keep it fair

The keeper must point confidently and immediately, hesitant or sweeping points cause arguments; set the rule that if the keeper can't point precisely, the player is safe.

Good for building
stealthlisteningpatienceconcentration
What you need
Just: a bunch of keys or any found jangly object
More to play

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