This classic kids’ challenge tests your kids observational skills as they memorise a group of items and then try to spot the one that’s been removed. Kids will be surprised to learn that this game is used in real-life military training –– the challenge is on!
Fun fact!
This game is named after the main character in Rudyard Kipling's novel, Kim. In the story, Kim plays the game during his spy training.Equipment needed
- A tray
- Twenty small objects
About the activity
Find twenty or so small items to place on a tray. They can be anything you like, for example; a fork, key, pencil, stone, coin, etc. Space them equally on the tray and show them to the other player.
The other player has two minutes to touch and look at the items on the tray to try and remember them all.
The person who laid out the tray takes it back, and out of sight, removes one item and perhaps shuffles the items on the tray to make it harder. They then present it to the other player again, asking them to work out which item is missing.
Next, swap places so the player with the tray is now the one trying to memorise the items.
An alternative way to play the game with a group is to cover the tray with a cloth, uncover it for two minutes while everyone tries to remember the items. Then cover the tray with a cloth again and everyone has to make a list of everything on the tray. See who has the best memory!
