Here’s to an epic adventure and family game night of “Social Distance Sardines” where friendly competition meets the city limits of a small town.
Although social distancing is necessary and helping keep us all safe, it doesn’t mean it’s always easy. I find myself missing the quality time with my family. I went for a drive recently, which I find myself doing more of to get out of the house and enjoy the sun and music. While driving around town I remembered a game I used to play in high school with my friends. We’d spend our evenings within the limits of our community playing what we called “Car Tag.” Ultimately, the game was different variations of Hide & Seek and or Sardines, but in our vehicles.
With this sudden thought, I opened my family group chat and planted the idea of a social distance sardines. Not that much later we had multiple teams (households) ready to play. Elated with everyone’s enthusiasm and willingness to participate, I went into trusty Microsoft Word to quickly type out some easy to follow rules and guidelines and pressed send.
Sardines – Rules
- To ensure everyone’s safety throughout the game stay within your personal vehicles with only members of your household
- Please submit your team name, team members, and the vehicle you will be using
- Designate limitations on the area you are playing within
- Place all team names in a hat and use Facebook Live (to ensure no cheating of course) to draw who will hide first
- When the game officially begins, the team hiding first will leave their driveway with ten minutes to find a hiding spot
- All other teams will be asked to leave their driveway 10 minutes after the game begins
- If you find them in their hiding spot and are not the last, you will then join them and try to stay hidden
- The last team to find everyone loses the round and the first to have found those hiding won the round
- The winners will get to hide first at the beginning of the next round
- Make sure to have a group chat for everyone, but only use it during game-play for when rounds begin/end
My family chose to play on Wednesday, April 1st at 8 pm, and so, I warily hopped on Facebook live for the very first time at 7 pm to draw the team who would be hiding first. Ironically I chose myself, which I was completely not prepared for, and began to panic about finding a hiding spot.
As eight o’clock was fast approaching I finally decided on a spot, made my favourite tea, and hopped in my car. When I arrived at my hiding spot I chose it was only 8:02 pm. I chose a place to hide across from a small business I frequently shop at. The fact that my vehicle is very small was extremely beneficial. It was a small back lane that was enclosed and not very visible from the street. I was able to park directly behind some municipal buildings hoped for the best. At 25 years old I had never been so excited/nervous while playing a game of Sardines before.
We wanted to document the event so all of us made sure to record videos of what was going on within each team’s vehicle. I found myself whispering in the camera and laughing to myself while wondering “Why am I whispering?”
It took about 10 to 12 minutes for the first team to find me and as the evening went on the teams slowly piled into the small hiding spot I had chosen. Luckily enough there was a large space where others could park when they found me.
Eventually, we were only missing two teams and it was now close to 9 pm. I sent a couple hints and soon enough we were all reunited. It felt good to be doing something together as a family again. We were safe, having fun, and outside of the very familiar walls of our own homes. With the buzz of the first round still present and the sun setting, we all quickly agreed to another round. I have to note playing sardines in the dark is a HUGE game changer. I recommend playing this game at night for those who want more of a challenge. We completed one more round and before leaving agreed on another date to play again.
It was the first time in almost four weeks that we had done something together. The game was interactive, exciting, and perfect for all ages. Some participants included my grandparents in their 80’s to my younger cousins around the age of eight years old. My grandma comically sent in her video contribution noting that they came last place and burned 1/4 tank of gas. All of teams put their unique spin on the game as some dressed up in matching outfits or comical ones.
I wanted to share our game night because to prove that we can still have fun/interact with each other. We all just have to get a bit more creative right now. If social distance sardines isn’t for you I hope this article sparks some creative energy for other ideas. Maybe this can help you find something that does suit your family and friends.
If you are not only struggling with games/activities but also simple things to do while in self-isolation or working from home check out 5 Ideas On What To Do During Self Isolation and Work From Home Hacks.
