England · USA / Canada (parlour and circle game, widely played across North America)

Wink Murder

Also known as Murder Wink, The Winking Killer, Killer, Murder in the Dark

A hidden murderer winks players dead one by one while a detective tries to identify them before everyone is gone.

6+ playersAges 7-14In or outCalmSmall spaceNo kit
The rules

How to play

1

Players sit in a circle.

2

One player leaves; the rest secretly choose one player as the Murderer.

3

The detective returns and stands inside the circle.

4

The Murderer discreetly winks at players, a winked player counts to three silently then 'dies' dramatically.

5

The detective watches carefully and gets three guesses to name the Murderer.

6

If they guess correctly the Murderer loses; if they use all three guesses wrongly the Murderer wins.

7

Rotate roles each round.

Keep it fair

Deaths must be dramatic, a subtle sigh doesn't count. Over-the-top deaths make everyone laugh and keep the game fair.

Good for building
observationdeductionactingfocus
What you need
Nothing at all, just the kids.
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