Get together a group of kids from your neighborhood, from school, or from after school clubs to play this game with you. Invite kids your age you see playing alone to come play Kick the Can. Say something like, “Hey, we’re going to play a group game called Kick the Can. Would you like to play?”
Give your item a few trial kicks. You don’t want it to go too far or too short. Choose an object that can be kicked a medium distance. You may want to put some rocks into your item. Doing this to items like cans, bottles, and boxes can help you adjust the distance an object is kicked. [3] X Research source
Natural features, like tree-lines, large rocks, and paths are a great way of clearly outlining the boundaries of your play area. If one of your boundaries is unclear, use other items, like branches, rocks, hats, cones, and so on to mark it.
If you don’t have a clearly defined jail in your play area, make one by arranging branches, stones, cones, and more to form its boundaries. The jail should be large enough to fit as many players are playing, but not much larger than that.
The more time you have to hide, the more likely it is hiders will have a better hiding place. Use longer count times for the seeker for longer, more challenging games. Short count times can add an fast paced aspect to this game. If you and your friends like quick games, choose short count times.
You may want to locate your can close to your jail. This way, if the can is kicked, the seeker will have to run towards the jail while jailed players are running away. [7] X Research source
When the seeker finishes counting, they can search for the other players. [8] X Research source
There are many variations of Kick the Can. One of the most common has the seeker running to tag players out after calling out their name and location. Hiders should still try to kick the can. [10] X Research source
Since a hider kicking the can releases jailed players, the seeker should be strategic in guarding the can. Try to keep an eye on it to prevent hiders from sneaking up on it. Depending on your house rules, sometimes the seeker only needs to set up the can again before searching, other times the seeker counts again before the game continues. [11] X Research source [12] X Research source
Some versions of the game go until the seeker catches all hiders. In this case, the seeker is considered the winner.
Even with fewer than 20 players, 2 seekers can balance the game. This way, seekers can split between offense (seeking) and defense (protecting the can). If you choose to add seekers to the game, you might also want to increase the number of cans for each additional seeker. For example, a 2 seeker game might have 2 cans. [14] X Research source
Equip seekers with flashlights. Tag people out by shining the light on them and calling their name. Release people from jail by having hiders tag jailed players. Choose a jail in a well lit location, like a porch, so seekers can see potential jailbreaks.
Flip a coin to determine which team goes first. Take turns rolling a soft ball at the can to knock it over. Each team should have a ball. The first team to knock over the can must run to it and set it up again with only their feet. Only one active player can be in the circle at a time. The opposing team can freeze players trying to set up the can by hitting them with their ball. The game continues until the can is set up or all the players on one team are frozen.
