Devil's Den (game)

Devil's Den is a children's game, typically played outdoors, involving elements of tag and hiding. The name "Devil's Den" refers to a designated safe zone or base in the playing area.

The game typically begins with a designated "it" player (or players), also known as the "devil." The other players, the "runners," attempt to avoid being tagged by the devil. If a runner is tagged, they typically become the "devil" for the next round, or, in some variations, they might join the existing devil to help tag the remaining runners.

The primary objective for the runners is to reach the "Devil's Den" without being tagged. Once a player reaches the Devil's Den, they are safe from being tagged while they remain inside it. However, a runner usually cannot stay in the Devil's Den indefinitely and must eventually leave to continue playing.

Variations of the game exist, with different rules governing the number of players who can occupy the Devil's Den at once, the length of time a player can stay in the den, and how a tagged player becomes the new devil. Some variations might also incorporate specific boundaries for the playing area. The game is often played in parks, playgrounds, or other open spaces. The "Devil's Den" area may be naturally occurring (e.g., a specific tree or rock) or a designated area.