Thursday, October 3, 2013

The Claw Machine

You know those claw machines they have in the front of stores? You put fifty cents in it and try to grab one of the stuffed animals with the big claw. I always thought they were rigged until this summer when we stopped at one with Anne Marie. She had never worked one before, and she got this little green snail! See her grabbing it where I circled it in the picture?
Then a few days later, we decided to take Ella. She was too nervous to do it herself, and asked Phil to do it for her. FIRST try and he got this awesome sparkly dolphin!!! Twice in a row, I could hardly believe it.
And these machines have come a long way, the tags say they are stuffed with eco friendly recycled materials! Who knew? Have YOU ever had an unusual vending machine experience?


                 “God snatches me from the clutch of death; he reaches down and grabs me.”
                  Psalm 49


30 comments:

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

Hi Ginny The girls were obviously pleased with what they grabbed.

Ann said...

my vending machine experiences are they typical "Sorry, you lose, try again"....lol

From the Kitchen said...

No unusual vending machine experiences for me. If I decide to try one, I want Phil with me!!

Best,
Bonnie

Optimistic Existentialist said...

Oh wow that's awesome! I have never been able to win anything in all the times I've played that lol.

Reanaclaire said...

hahaha...so blessed! Over here, it is quite difficult to get these stuffed toys in these machines....

Alice said...

Go Anne Marie:) My daughter is really good at getting stuff out of them, too. I never have.

MadSnapper said...

I have never tried one but have watched many times as kids tried and tried and put more money in. so either you have talented family members or it was a fluke...
i don't do vending machines unless they have food in them, not food but cookies or candy and have not done that since i retired... the only experience i had with them is they took my money and made me FAT...

Chatty Crone said...

Those things drive me crazy! Every where we go that has one - there is my grandson - heehee.. I have to say he's pretty good at it, but...I know kids loves those things don't they? I know they had fun. sandie

Anonymous said...

Hi Ginny, Glad your experience with the claw machine was so positive. I never had any luck with those types of games. I had also decided that the claw games were rigged against the player. Have a wonderful weekend!

Tamago said...

Wow Anne Marie is very skilled! And Phil, too. Look at that big dolphin! I can never get things from these claw machines. I always drop before it reaches the exit!
How nice the toys are stuffed with eco-friendly materials :-)

Haddock said...

Twice in a row means she has the skill.

CalamityJr said...

What fun! Apparently you had a person filling the machines who was in a generous mood. I think they're usually packed too tightly to be so successful. I'm glad the girls had fun.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

That's awesome! When I was in middle school I had a knack for the claw machine. This was when kids would hang out at arcades at the mall, and while my friends played Pacman I'd be amassing a collection of stuffed animals to take home :-)

George said...

I think both Anne Marie and Phil have the magic touch. My children have tried those things, but never had any luck.

Ruth Hiebert said...

I'm glad that both girls got a special toy from these machines. I am much too clumsy to try my hand at that.

xinex said...

Oh good for them! I can never get anyt when I try...Christine

Rose said...

No, never had an unusual vending machine experience...that might be good thing in our case. LOL

Dee said...

First time i have seen winners of this game LOL Happy for them :)

Linda said...

Very cool! Great childhood memories here.

SquirrelQueen said...

I have never tried those machines but after seeing what Phil grabbed he can do it for me too. Love both of the girls beautiful smiles.

pembrokeshire lass said...

I'm so glad that your grandchildren 'won' them! They look as if they will get a lot of loving too! It's years since we played with any of those...probably when our kids were small and it was a wet day at the seaside! Brings back some memories! Joan

Arti said...

I love that dolphin - it's so cute - and the smile on Anne Marie's face is simply priceless! I have never tried my hand at these but your post surely gives me some inspiration!

crafty cat corner said...

I haven't been near one of those machines for years but I remember how difficult it was to grab anything so you did well.
Briony
x

Ash said...

I too haven't had any luck with these machines - sigh*

Still, it's lovely to watch!

Cindy said...

I like you figure these are just machines that don't give up their riches so I pass them by. Have I ever had a vending machine experience, just one my son-in-law stood at one of these machines and kept plugging money into it trying to get one because my grand-daughter was having a hissy rubber fit. He didn't win but I'm sure he paid for your two. lol

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

Wow that machine is hard to win anything ...so good job

Unknown said...
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Filip and Kristel said...

Always fun, certainly when you win.

Greetings,
Filip

Anni said...

Awwwwwwwwwwww, sweetness through and through. The story, AND the prizes!!

Ginny, I'm glad to finally show you my 'rare' bird this weekend. I just about flipped when I saw it.

Hope your day is treating you well dear one. Have a great afternoon and wonderful Sunday.

LC said...

No vending machine experiences for me, but I sure did enjoy your chronicles of the girls' experiences.

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