Sardines is the name of numerous children's games. All have in common an aspect where the players are required to lie side by side (as sardines in a can). The two most common versions of sardines are variations of hide-and-seek and knick-knocking.
This form of sardines is a popular derivative of hide-and-seek. In it, one person hides while the remainder all count to a specified number. Once this number is reached, the remaining people spread out in search of the person who has hidden. As each one finds the hider, he or she must join the hider in the hiding place. Eventually the hiding place is likely to become obvious because of the number of hiding players. The last person to discover the hiding place must hide in the next round. This game is best played at night, without the use of lighting, thereby increasing the number of hiding places dramatically.
A. M. Burrage calls this version of the game 'Smee' in his 1931 ghost story of the same name.[1]
This form of sardines is a derivative of doorbell-ringing games (see knock, knock, Ginger). In it, the players knock on the door of their victim, then quickly lie down side by side on the driveway or lawn. Assuming the homeowner leaves his or her house to investigate, the game becomes one of chicken, where the players try to outlast each other in remaining silent and stationary in front of the homeowner's house without giving in from embarrassment (and leaving) or giving in to laughter.