Children play detective by asking clever questions to uncover a hidden identity, encouraging focus, inference and teamwork.
This game is ideal for practising self-control, patience and creative thinking in a fun and theatrical way.
1. Set the scene
Ask the group to stand in a circle.
Choose one child to be the 'Detective' and send them outside the room.
Select another child to be the chosen 'Child' and make sure the group knows who it is (without giving anything away).
2. Investigation begins
Invite the Detective back in.
They may ask up to five yes/no/I don?t know questions to anyone in the circle (for example, "does the chosen Child have blue shoes on?")
Their aim is to identify the Child before their questions run out.
3. Rules to follow
The Detective may only make one final guess after using their five questions.
Everyone must answer calmly without looking at or reacting to the Child, even if the Child is questioned directly.
4. Keep it moving
Once the guess is made, reveal if the Detective was correct.
Choose a new Detective and Child for the next round.
This game builds excellent group dynamics and is wonderful for practising restraint and subtlety. Watching the detective work through their questions is always exciting for the group
Lucy Quick, Principal of Perform.
