These great big phone booth-sized cases, stuffed to the gills with soft toys, beckon from across the room whenever kids see them. And they see them everywhere – arcades, restaurants, lobbies and malls. What is it about these contraptions that kids – and more than a few adults – just can’t resist? Well, here are ten possibilities:
- Attractive Prizes – The stuffed toys themselves are so appealing. Their bright colors and cute fuzzy looks are irresistible. They just look like they’re waiting to be picked up and taken home. Easier said than done …
- The Challenge – Once they’ve taken hold of that joystick and maneuvered ever-so-carefully for their targeted prize, the game just seeps into them. It just looks so easy, and those toys just look so cuddly …
- Selection – Because there are so many different prizes to choose fun, all piled together, there’s always something that a child can aim for if given the chance, and a quarter – or three …
- Deceptive Appearances – Piles of stuffed animals give the illusion that you just can’t miss. It seems impossible not to come away with a toy. They’re all over the place, for Pete’s sake. Well, guess it’s not quite like you’ve imagined …
- Just Like Dad’s Big Rig – Some kids imagine themselves operating a big piece of heavy equipment just like their dads work on. The opportunity to take the controls in their own hands makes them feel like grown-ups …
- Sense of Power – So as a child takes control of the machine, they gets a taste of what it’s like to be in control, rather than being a passenger or spectator. It’s bound to have an addictive effect on the kid.
- Location, Location, Location – Not only are these gizmos all over town, but they’re strategically located in places where kids are apt to be idling impatiently, like restaurant waiting areas, malls and doctor’s offices, as well as arcades.
- Bright Lights, Bright Colors – The display case, in effect, is a well-lit toy chest that is just brimming with possibilities. It’s what we adults might refer to as a target-rich environment.
- Monkey See, Monkey Do? - Okay, so perhaps referring to our little ones as primates is a bit much, but you get the drift. When one child sees another jockeying that claw for a colorful prize, you just know they’ve got to have a crack at it too. Which brings us to …
- Missed It By That Much – Once you’ve had one of those little stuffed dolls in your grasp, even for an instant, you may as well face it – you’re hooked. Unlike the doll, which always seems to give you the slip just when you think it’s all yours.
Claw machines are a great way for children and adults to waste quarter after quarter. The occasional (very occasional) win makes it just that much more addictive. Like slot machines for kids, the claw machine will hook you in and leave you hanging.
Taken From Babysitters
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