Hands Up Game – Fun Indoor Guessing Game for Kids
The Hands Up Game is a perfect party game for kids that blends logic, strategy, and excitement. Ideal for classrooms, birthdays, or rainy day activities, this no-prep game keeps everyone guessing and laughing until the final reveal!
Game sheet
To help you prepare, here are the basic details:
- Number of players: from 8 children
- Ages: suitable for kids aged 5 and up
- Materials needed: a cotton ball, one chair and one table per player
- Setting: best played indoors
- Play time: approximately 20 minutes
How to play the Hands Up Game
This indoor guessing game is played between two teams seated on opposite sides of a table. The objective? Outwit your opponents by passing a cotton ball in secret, and guessing who’s hiding it when the time comes!
Here’s how it works:
- Team setup: Divide the group into two teams sitting across from one another at a table. Each player should have their hands hidden under the table.
- Passing the cotton ball: One team starts with the cotton ball. Their team leader hands it off under the table to another teammate. The ball is secretly passed around as the other team watches closely.
- Call to action: At any moment, the leader of the opposing team can call out “Hands up!” All players on the cotton ball team raise their hands in fists. Then the leader says “Hands down,” and everyone places their fists flat on the table.
- Make your guess: The leader now has two guesses to identify who is hiding the cotton ball. If they guess correctly, their team scores a point and takes possession of the cotton ball. If not, the current team keeps it and earns a point.
- Switch turns: After a team has held the cotton ball for three rounds in a row, the other team automatically gets a turn to start with it.
💡 Tip: A cotton ball works well for this game because it doesn’t make any sound when passed, keeping the suspense high!
Looking for a game of mystery and deduction? Try this spy role-play challenge where players must uncover the hidden spy before it’s too late!
Why kids love the Hands Up Game
The fun lies in the challenge of staying calm under pressure and figuring out who’s hiding the ball. It’s a great way to build anticipation and group participation, all while developing cognitive and social skills.
Educational benefits of the Game
This exciting indoor game offers several learning opportunities while keeping the energy light and playful:
- Boosts logical reasoning through deduction and observation
- Encourages concentration and focus to spot subtle cues
- Improves emotional control as players try not to reveal who has the ball
- Promotes social bonding by encouraging teamwork and laughter
- Teaches rule-following and respectful group play
Test your deduction skills with Whodunit, a guessing game where players must match surprising facts to the right person for a hilarious reveal!
FAQ – Hands Up Game
- Can younger children play this game?
Yes! The simple rules make it suitable for kids as young as 5, and you can adapt the pace for younger groups. - What if I don’t have a cotton ball?
Any small, quiet object like a sponge or soft pompom will work. - Can the game be played in a classroom?
Absolutely—it’s perfect for classroom icebreakers or brain breaks.
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