Candy Memory

Overview

Here’s a sweet way to test your memory! This sugar-infused memory game challenges players in a couple of ways: can you remember all the items on the tray... and can you keep from eating the game before it’s done? This is a great icebreaker game, with players working together to discover which piece of candy has disappeared from the tray.

Age

Preschool, School-age

Number of Players

2, 3 to 4, 5 to 10

Team Division

All together now! (everyone works together)

Competitiveness

Either/or (can be played either way)

Difficulty

Easy peasy (fun and simple)

Indoor or Outdoor

Either

Space Needed

Small (a clearable open space the size of a 1-car garage)

Noise Level

Semi-rambunctious

Mess Factor

Clean and tidy

Prep Time

5 - 10 minutes

Game Time Length

5 - 15 minutes

Supplies

1 tray or flat area for displaying candy

15 to 30 pieces different pieces of candy (different-colored candies count for 2)

A piece of fabric large enough to cover the tray (towel, pillow case, bandana)

Paper and pens for each player (optional, for variation only)

Setup

1. Gather your candy (between 15 to 30 pieces). The more interesting the candies the better, but you can use such candies as M&Ms to bump up your numbers, since red, blue, and brown M&Ms each count as a separate candy.
2. Display the candies on a tray or flat playing area. Make sure the candies are easy to see and not lying on top of each other.
3. Cover the tray with fabric so that none of the candies can be seen.

How to Play

The object of the game is for players to determine what candy is missing from the tray.
1. Have your group form a circle around the covered tray. Instruct all the players that no one may touch the items on the tray. If a player wishes to see what an object is, they should ask the team leader, and the team leader will show them the item.
2. Remove the fabric and allow the group to observe the tray of candies for one minute. Players may ask for clarification on a candy if they are unsure what it is, during this time.
3. Cover the tray with the fabric.
4. The team leader should now place his/her hand beneath the fabric and remove one piece of candy (they may also shuffle the remaining candies around a bit if they like).
5. Once the candy has been removed, the leader removes the fabric.
6. Players should observe the tray and try to figure out which piece of candy is missing.
7. Once the missing candy has been revealed, it should be replaced, and another round can be played.

Variations

1. Give each player a piece of paper and a pen, have the players study the candies for two minutes, then cover the candies and have players write down as many candies as they can remember. Compare and see who was able to remember the most.
2. Use toys and other objects instead of candies for a sugar-free version of the game.

Tips

1. Make it very clear to the players that no one is to eat any of the candies from the tray. You may want to have a reserve bowl of M&Ms or some other wrapped candy to hand out to players should they get too grabby.
2. When removing an object, choose something small that you can keep hidden in your hand, or if you choose a larger item, make sure to cover it with the fabric as you remove it. Players may have sharp eyes, and they will be watching your hands to see if they can gather a clue as to what you have hidden.
3. If you have too many players to gather around at one time, then display the tray on a table and have a reasonable number of players come up in groups for a minute at a time.
4. Three rounds is usually a good number of rounds.