peekaboo

Peekaboo is a simple interactive game commonly played with babies and young children. One participant hides their face, usually with their hands, a cloth, or a small prop, and then reveals it while saying “peekaboo” or a similar exclamation. The aim is to create a brief moment of surprise and reward the child’s social engagement through eye contact and smile.

Developmentally, peekaboo supports early cognitive and social skills. The repeated concealment and revelation helps with object permanence—the understanding that people and objects continue to exist even when not visible. It also promotes attention, anticipation, turn-taking, and bonding between caregiver and child.

Variations are common and can be adapted to the child’s age and environment. Hiding behind a blanket, using a hand puppet, or peeking from behind a door are typical formats. The game appears in many cultures and languages, and caregivers often improvise to suit the setting or to reduce overstimulation.

Etymology and history: The term peekaboo is an English reduplication that combines “peek” and the onomatopoeic “boo” to evoke the action and sound of the reveal. Similar games with concealment and reveal have existed for centuries in various cultures, though the modern form is most often associated with infancy play.

Safety and accessibility: Peekaboo is generally safe when played gently and with attention to the child’s cues. Avoid forcing the reveal or startling the child, and adjust duration of hiding to suit the child’s mood and temperament.