• Spy games play on children's natural curiosity.Eye Spy image by Deb the Shoe from Fotolia.com
  
  Books and movies like “Harriet the Spy” and “Spy Kids” wouldn’t exist if the act of spying was not appealing to children. Even the CIA has a special kid’s page on their website. Children’s innate curiosity and ability to often come and go unseen makes spy games a good way to occupy their time.
  
  

Stealth

• Almost everyone has played a game of hide and seek in their lifetime, but the book “Let’s Go Outside,” suggests inserting a spy element to the game. Each child gets a spy name and a mission: to find one or more of the other spies. The spies might choose to stay on the move to avoid being found, or find a particularly good hiding place and stay put. Kids must learn to walk quietly, aware of the noise their feet make, and the hunted spy needs to cover his tracks, making sure there is no evidence of them left behind. Even an old gum wrapper falling from a pocket could provide a spy with a clue.
  
  

Decoding

• There is something exciting about decoding a puzzle to find a secret message. Use a printout of Morse code or make one up by substituting numbers, symbols, colors or shapes for letters in the alphabet. Try using decoding in a chain of spy games, offering clues to the next piece of evidence or the location of another spy. For birthdays or other parties, consider using a message that must be decoded on the invitation. This will give guests a clue as to what to expect from the party.
  
  

Eyewitness

• Using their keen powers of observation, kids can become eyewitnesses. One person is designated the spy while the others line up in a row. The spy, with or without the aid of a notebook, takes a close look at the lineup, noting the color of everyone’s hair, what they are wearing and every minute detail in between. After a set amount of time the group leaves the room and alters their appearance in some way. This could be unbuttoning a button, removing glasses, switching shoes or simply standing in a different order. The lineup reenters the room and the spy must notice and report all the changes. This game is fun to play at birthday parties or even with the family. The book “301 Bright Ideas for Busy Kids” describes it as low-key, especially since it requires no supplies to play.