This is an old traditional game. Although conventionally a thimble is used, as the name suggests, anything small and easily hideable can be used (eg a button, cork, coin, etc)

There are several versions of this

1) One player is chosen to hide the thimble. All the other players leave the room so they cannot see what is happening. After they have left the room, it’s left up to the ingenuity of the player remaining in the room to find a location to hide the thimble. It can be hidden under things (eg a cushion), but it must always be possible for all other players to be able to find and retrieve it. Once hidden the other players re-enter the room. The person who hid it can give clues as to whether those seeking it are getting closer (hotter) or moving away (colder). The person to find it is the next person to hide it.

2) In this version when all players are out of the room the thimble is placed where it can be seen without having to move anything. Players are given no help in finding the thimble and the first person to find it doesn’t announce the fact but sits down silently and waits for other finders to follow suit.

3) The moment a player sees the object, they do not say a word but sit down quietly on the floor and start to sing “3 blind mice”. Last one to be seated must pay a forfeit.