grandparents.com(sm) a new generation of grandparents.
SEARCH
Free Newsletter
Help
Loading top menu.
Coloring Pages Everyday Activities Games Photo Contests Kids' Crafts Printable Activities Sing-Alongs
pen and paper

How To Play M.A.S.H.

Discover whom you'll marry and how many children you'll have in this silly game of fortune telling

by Zachary Collinger

requires
At least 2 people, but more people make for more fun
Pen and paper

game play
At the top of the page, start by writing the initials M.A.S.H., an acronym meaning mansion, apartment, shack, or house. Ask the player to think of four potential spouses — classmates, fictional characters, famous hunks or beauties — and write these names in the left margin of the paper. Elicit four numbers representing the number of children they will have, and write them at the bottom of the page. In the right margin record four vehicle types (bicycle, monster truck, Ferrari) the player likes.

In the middle of the page, begin slowly drawing a spiral out from the center. At any point during the drawing, the player is allowed to call out "Stop!" Then the fortune teller counts the number of rings across the diameter of the spiral. If, for example, that number is "9," begin at the letter "M" and count each selection, moving around the outside of the page through the categories. Eliminate every ninth entry. Continue around the circle, eliminating entries, but do not count any entry once it has been eliminated. When only one selection is left in each category, that selection becomes part of the player's fortune.

objective
To determine the fortune of the player, the fortune teller reads the player's selections back to him. For example, "You will marry Brad Pitt, have 6 children, drive a Monster truck, and live in an apartment."

mix it up
Add another category to get more specific about the player's future:

  • Where you will live — geographic location
  • How many years you will live
  • Pet
  • Occupation

Also in Pen and Paper Games: Hangman, Dots, Bingo, Fortune Teller, All
See more games: Card Games | Dice Games | Outdoor Games | Word Games | All

See articles by age: Expecting | Baby | Toddler | Preschooler | Elementary | Tween | Teen+
12 Ways to Help Children Fight Their Fears

Our expert's choices to ward off nightmares Build confidence »

3 Cool Cupcake Recipes

These unusual and delicious cupcakes are anything but typical sweets Unusually delicious sweets »

Be a Mentor to Your Grandchild

An expert discusses how you can help grandkids get into college and find jobs Tips and advice »


People Are Talking In Groups!
groups Browse more than 50 Groups and join the conversations.

Visit Groups »

Signup for our free newsletter Sign Up
ADVERTISEMENT
follow us on facebook follow us on twitter

happening right now

Video Contest: Enter the "Get Active with Your Grandkids" Video Contest! Ten winners will receive a Schwinn bicycle with helmet!
Recipes: 3 Recipes from Ming Tsai and a DVD Giveaway! Whip up these fresh, fast recipes from Ming Tsai and enter to win his new DVD
activities: 25 Great Sleepover Activities Make your grandkids' evening so fun they'll want to come back next week, too
Money: 5 Shopping Tricks to Save You More at the Store Learn how to tell what's a real deal, and what isn't
toys: Our Favorite Toys on the Silver Screen Some of the best films and movie characters were inspired by toys — take a look!
Benefits Club Giveaway: Win a Mystery Hat Game From Learning Resources Make Learning Magical!
article: The Benefits of Forging Family Traditions Our columnist reflects on the annual family vacation that binds the generations
Money: Trade in Your Old Electronics They may be worth more than you think
Coloring Pages: Rainy Day Let spring showers inspire the artist in your grandchild
Benefits Club Deal: Coffees of Hawaii: Save 10% & Free Shipping! Say Aloha to great coffee!

about the author

Zachary Collinger is a web editor and writer. A graduate of UCLA with a degree in English, his extensive travels overseas have afforded him the opportunity to teach English as a second language in rural Thailand.
ADVERTISEMENT
Copyright © 2007-11 Grandparents.com LLC, all rights reserved. Trustee Seal