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60-second

Suck It Up

Also called Suck Up, Straw Candy Transfer

Using only a straw in your mouth, pick up candies one at a time by suction and move them to another plate.

people
2–20
time
8 min
energy
Medium
materials
Cheap to buy
Kids-safeHR-safeChurch-safe
Watch it played
What you need3
How to play4

Before you start

Put a plate of 20 candies and an empty plate side by side on a table, about 30 cm (1 ft) apart. Hand each player a fresh straw.

  1. 1Straw in the mouth, hands behind the back.
  2. 2Suck on the straw to lift one candy, carry it across and release it onto the empty plate.
  3. 3Candies that fall on the table or floor do not count and may not be picked up again.
  4. 4Most candies on the second plate after 60 seconds wins.
What to say3
  1. 1“Straws in, hands behind your backs — suck and carry!”
  2. 2“Don't breathe in, don't breathe in — oh, dropped it!”
  3. 3“Ten seconds! Count those candies on the plate!”
Host tips3
  • Test the candy against the straw beforehand. If the candy is smaller than the straw opening it gets pulled into the mouth — that is a hazard, not a technique. Use candy clearly bigger than the hole.
  • Players instinctively breathe in through the straw when they lose the candy. Tell them to breathe through the nose the whole time; it stops the coughing fits.
  • Paper plates with a slight rim stop candies rolling off. Flat cardboard makes counting a mess.
Variants2

  • Table to table

    Put the plates on two tables a few steps apart so players have to walk while holding the suction.

  • Colour sort

    Only one colour counts. Players must pick the right candies out of a mixed plate.

Safety3
  • Choking: never use small candies, nuts, candy that fits inside the straw, or wide boba straws. Skip this one for children under 6.
  • Food allergies: check for nuts, peanuts, dairy and soy in the candy, and name the candy before anyone volunteers.
  • One straw per player, never shared.
Good for

Occasions

ChristmasBirthdayTeam buildingSchoolReunionFiesta

Venues

Indoor, smallIndoor, largeOfficeChurch hall
If this one dies early3