Kick the Can (a practical guide)

Last night a large number of my friends gathered at home without me.  I was unable to participate in their festivities that included this childhood game (yes we are all over 18, but that doesn't mean we can't have fun).  [side note: friends do not feel guilty for playing without me (I better not hear any sorry's)].  On to my actual point, this game is fun, laugh your face off kind of fun! I want everybody to be able to play so I'll outline it then go on to share my strategy for victory.

You will need
5 or more friends (any less is just kinda lame)
Can (coffee or other)
Playing space (preferably a house in the middle of the country sorrounded by fields, barns, or other easy-to-hide-in places)

To Play: This game is a hide and seek/ base tag hybrid
1. Select a base and place can in plain sight near base
2. Select someone who is 'it' (usually "nose goes" works well)
3. Non-'it' individuals have a set amount of time to hide in playing space
4. After set amount of time has passed 'it' begins to hunt them
5. Once found/tagged by 'it' individual must sit by base
6. Non-found individuals may run up and kick the can thus setting free all their captured allies on the base.
7. Game continues until 'it' is tired or all individuals are trapped on base.

Special Circumstances
In case of injury: report to house.
Jail Breaks: can be decided upon by entire playing audience (or at least those not in hiding) including 'it' to keep game going and so nobody has to sit on the base for the whole night

Ellie's Super Secret Strategies
*"Nobody puts Baby in a corner"- always have some way to easily escape your hiding space so you have a chance to run once you are spotted.

*"Silence! I keel you"- no matter how hard, it is keep quiet.   Remember that what sounds like whispering to you is loud enough for the entire county to hear (unless your bored and really want to get caught).

*"We're the 3 best friends that anybody could have"- hide with at least 1 other person, unless you are the Yoda of hiding, chances are you will be spotted.  Having 1 or 2 people to distract the 'it', helps you escape (although it is now your moral obligation to kick the can so your friends can be freed).

So embrace your inner child give Kick the Can a try and see how it goes.  I'm by no means an expert, but I do alright for myself.  I played it for the first time at age 17 so you're never too old to start.  It's a great excuse to drag those city friends out to the country and show them your farm, and make them want to come back too! 

'till the cows come home
Ellie