Three Cups and an Object “M&M’s and Crickets”
(Back and forth, back and forth, switch hands, around and around, switch hands, STOP.)
“OK. Which cup?” I asked.
“That one!” my oldest exclaimed.
(Lifting the cup)
“Not it,” I asserted.
“That one!” my youngest said with assurance.
(I lift the cup.) A single, yellow M&M is revealed.
“EEEEEE! I want to eat it!”
“No, me!”
“The one who guesses right gets to eat it,” I explained.
So it went until the package was all gone. Little preparation was needed and not much skill was required. If you can find three cups that look alike—not transparent—and an object that is smaller—not larger—than the cups, you are on your way to capturing your children’s attention for as long as your arms—or the M&M’s—hold out. If the activity catches on, variations abound, some of which are even educational. Here are some of the variations:
1. Use pennies. (The children keep the money for their piggy banks.)
2. Use Scrabble letters. (Have them spell words with the tiles.)
3. Use numbers. (Have the children put them in order, after they find them.)
4. Distract the children. (Hide the object in your shirt pocket and amaze them.)
5. Be sneaky and put one object in every cup. (Worth the surprised look.)
6. Keep the object in your hand. (Take it out of their ear.)
7. Use a piece of sponge. (Wet it and tell them it grows under the cup.)
8. Use raisins. (Provide some nutritional value to offset M&M binge.)
9. Substitute. (Show them an M&M; have them discover a peanut.)
10. Try for consecutive correct guesses. (Grant a reward.)
When the children’s attention wanders, it is time to involve Mom. After being left out of all the fun, she can’t wait to be asked. After you have played for a while with the children, using the M&M’s, invite her over to participate. Go through the routine and ask, “Which cup?” Eventually she will point to the cup that you have previously tampered with—the one you put the LIVE cricket under! (Life just doesn’t get much better than this.)
Rex Bowlby is the father of two boys. He is the author of the book, Why Would I Want the Toy, When I Can Have the Box? (101 Ways to Make the Most of Your Children, With the Least from Your Wallet*) *For parents with children ages 3-8. www.whytoybook.com. He lives in Los Angeles, California, USA.