I've Got a Secret (or, Who Am I?)

Overview

Need something to keep the kids entertained while you're waiting for an appointment? This is the perfect game. Play it in the car or at a restaurant; it's a great time filler. Four clues are given to help guess the identity of the secret keeper; the object is to guess in the least amount of clues. This game can get tricky, testing the knowledge of both the secret keeper and the guesser!

Age

Preschool, School-age, Tweens, Teens, Adults, Seniors, All Ages

Number of Players

2, 3 to 4, 5 to 10, 10 to 20, 20+

Team Division

Buddy up (pairs of two), Teamwork! (divide into teams), All together now! (everyone works together)

Competitiveness

Either/or (can be played either way)

Difficulty

Attention, please! (a few rules to follow)

Indoor or Outdoor

Either

Space Needed

Small (a clearable open space the size of a 1-car garage)

Noise Level

Quiet

Mess Factor

Clean and tidy

Prep Time

5 - 10 minutes

Game Time Length

Indefinite (as long as you want!)

Supplies

Our free PDF of "secret keeper" ideas and clues (optional)

Setup

1. Choose someone to be the "secret keeper."
2. Have the secret keeper choose a secret identity from one of our downloadable lists or make up his/her own. The secret keeper should be a person, an object, or an animal. Have the secret keeper think up four clues to his/her identity.

How to Play

1. One by one, the secret keeper gives 4 clues to his/her identity. Each of them should start with the phrase, "I"ve got a secret..."
2. After each clue, the "guesser" may guess as many times as he/she wants. The secret keeper can answer with the following...
a. Yes
b. No
c. Maybe yes, maybe no

3. At any time the guesser may ask to move on to the next clue.
4. After the four clues have been shared, the guesser may ask yes or no questions (keep track of how many are asked for fun) to which the secret keeper may use the same responses as above.
5. Keep playing until the identity is guessed.

Variations

1. Play in teams: divide up into groups and have the groups come up with who they are (although only one member should present the clues). Other groups guess at the identity, playing off each other's guesses. Whichever team guesses the identity gets a point.
2. Play silently: no questions asked, just have folks write down their answers and hand them in after the four clues have been read off. They can write down four separate answers in order of the clues, but they should circle their final guess. Hand in the papers and see how many folks got it right.

Tips

1. Remind players often that the secret keeper might be an object, or animal, or person.
2. Riddles are fun to use, but may be too hard for little ones. Try simple objects, animals, or people for younger children.