A Thief in the Dark

Play A Thief in the Dark with friends — 3+ players, 10 minutes. Play online party games with friends. Free in Pocket Party with 150+ IRL social games.

3+ players, about 10 minutes, ages 6+.

Play online party games with friends.

Setup

Take a dozen or more random items and place them on a table or area on the floor. For example, a stapler, a box of tissues, a fork, etc. Assign one player to be the “thief”.

How to Play

Give the players one minute to examine the items. Switch off the lights or just make the players turn around while the “thief” removes an item. Turn the lights back on or have the players turn back around. The player who first correctly identifies the missing item gets one point. Repeat steps 2 to 4. The game is finished when there are only 5 items remaining. The player who identifies the most ‘stolen’ items is the winner.

Frequently asked questions

How many people do you need to play A Thief in the Dark?

A Thief in the Dark is designed for 3+ players. It works best when everyone can hear each other and take turns quickly.

How long does A Thief in the Dark take?

A round of A Thief in the Dark usually takes about 10 minutes, depending on group size and how much discussion your players add.

Can you play A Thief in the Dark without extra props?

A Thief in the Dark is built to be lightweight. Check the on-page rules for any simple materials your group might need before you start.

Can kids play A Thief in the Dark?

A Thief in the Dark is recommended for ages 6+. For younger groups, read the rules first and choose categories or prompts that fit the room.