Let’s learn how to play MASH - an easy and silly, screen-free kids game for predicting what the future may look like for each player. You only need paper and pencil, and it’s quiet…except for the giggles!
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The MASH Legend
So when I was in grade school we brought our own lunches to school each day (in the time before hot lunches). On rainy days we found fun pen and pencil games to fill the extra lunch time. Scribble pictures, cootie catchers, and MASH were our favorites.
We giggled over who would marry boys at school, have a pet lion, drive a school bus, and live in a mansion. Every round we played brought new future possibilities and more laughs.
The MASH game is a legend at this point. No one knows where or when it really started, but it seems to have been around since the 1960’s. So I’m passing on the game of MASH, the legend, if only to pass on the giggles!
Cute Craft Alert: DIY MASH Game Booklet
But it's not just that I remember playing Mash when I was young, it is still around! Plus it makes for a fun game for kids to play that's screen free, perfect for car rides, rainy days, or a free summer afternoon.
To make it even easier, I’ve made a MASH printout for you to use. You can add your own categories and possibilities in each category. Have fun and get ready to giggle.
Even after 50 years I still laughed when I played MASH a couple days ago! Let me know your future!
What is MASH the Game?
MASH is a paper and pencil kids’ game that “predicts” your future. It uses categories like who you will marry, what kind of house you’ll live in, what car you’ll drive, what job you’ll have, and more.
The players choose the categories, fill them out with options, and then use a numbers procedure to narrow down each category to one option. That’s their “future”! It’s so fun.
What Does MASH Stand For?
MASH is an acronym for:
- M – Mansion
- A – Apartment
- S – Shack
- H – House
MASH ends up being one of the categories in the game. The player will end up living in one of these housing options in their future scenario. Obviously, there are some clunker possibilities in a player’s future!
Supplies
You don’t need much to play this game any time or anywhere!
- Paper- Use any type of paper you have, copy paper, a notebook, or even a napkin can work.
- Free MASH Printable- Print off this free MASH printable to make your game even easier! Here is the link: MASH Game Free Printable
- Pencil or pen- You’ll need a pen or pencil to write your options and play the selection game.
- Colored markers (optional)- Colored markers just to draw and have fun on your game.
- A friend (optional but fun!)- This is a game you could play yourself, but more giggles come when you play with a friend or two.
MASH Game Worksheet
This free hand drawn printable MASH game allows you to write in the categories and options of your choice. It’s optional in playing the game but does make it easier. Here is a link to the printable: MASH Game Free Printable
How to Play MASH
Ready to learn how to play MASH? Let’s do it!!
How to Set Up MASH Game
- Copy the free MASH game printable if you want, or grab some paper. Here is the link: MASH Game Free Printable.
- Write MASH at the top of your paper. This is automatically one of your categories (Mansion, Apartment, Shack, House).
- Make a cross on your paper to divide an area of the paper into four sections. Choose four categories to add to your game like spouse, job, car, etc. Write one at the top of each of the four sections of your paper..
- Under each category heading, write down 3-5 possible options for your “future”. It’s fun to include at least one silly or funny option.
You will use a “magic number” to cross off options and find your “future” in each category. Here’s how that works…
How to Find Your Magic Number
- Have a friend or you put a pen or pencil point on the paper. Have the personnot drawing close their eyes and say “go”! The person with the pencil begins to draw a spiral outwards on the paper.
- The person with eyes closed says “stop!” after a few seconds.
- The person drawing then draws a line out from the center of the spiral to the outer edge of the spiral. Count how many times this line crosses the spiral. This is the player’s magic number.
Now you’re ready to cross off the extra options and reveal your “future”!
How to Predict the Future
- Starting on the M in MASH, count through your list using your magic number. For example, if your number is 5, count 1,2,3,4 through the word MASH and then continue counting on the options in category one.
- Each time you count to five, cross out the option you land upon.
- Start counting up to your magic number again, going down the options of each category and crossing out the option of your magic number. As you are going around, counting and crossing out, skip the already crossed out options. Don’t forget the “MASH” at the top of the game, count and cross out those letters as well.
- When only one option remains in each category, circle it. Don’t count it as you finish counting. Keep going until there is only one option in each category.
- For your “future”, read through the circled options in each category. “I will live in a __, I’ll be married to __, and…” finish it up with your options. Get ready for some laughs!
Craft Tips
These tips can help playing MASH even easier!
- Use simple categories for young players
- Let the kids come up with their own options in the categories, let them be silly!
- Write and read the options for young children
- If you slip your printable MASH game into a plastic sleeve and use a dry erase marker, the printable is reusable!
MASH the Game Variations
Here are a few variations you’re welcome to try with this game:
Want to mix things up? Try changing the categories depending on age or interest:
- For younger kids: Favorite toy, animal, food, place, game
- For tweens: Dream gift, vacation, best friend, pet, instrument
- For teens: Possible career, college, car, city to live, sports, favorite celebrity
- Themed MASH: Try theme categories like holidays (i.e.- favorite gift, Xmas song, tradition, food, cookie, etc.)
- Group Game: People in a group take turns creating categories & options for each other.
FAQ
Yes! You can create your own categories and even draw your own spiral.
Anywhere from 4 to 6 works well so it’s fun but not overwhelming.You can do even more but that would work better for older kids.
Not really. The instructions I wrote is a pretty common way to play MASH. But the point is to be silly so you can just up rules if you want.
More Fun Games for Kids
Looking for more great DIY games for kids? Here are a few favorites for you to try:
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How to Play Mash (Game)
Equipment
- none needed
Items Required
- Use any type of paper you have, copy paper, a notebook, or even a napkin
- Free MASH Printable- Print off this free MASH printable to make your game even easier! Here is the link: MASH Game Free Printable
- a pen or pencil
- A friend (optional but fun!)
Instructions
How to Set Up MASH Game
- Copy the free MASH game printable if you want, or grab some paper. Here is the link: MASH Game Free Printable.
- Write MASH at the top of your paper. This is automatically one of your categories (Mansion, Apartment, Shack, House).
- Make a cross on your paper to divide an area of the paper into four sections. Choose four categories to add to your game like spouse, job, car, etc. Write one at the top of each of the four sections of your paper.
- Under each category heading, write down 3-5 possible options for your “future”. It’s fun to include at least one silly or funny option.
How to Find Your Magic Number
- The person with eyes closed says “stop!” after a few seconds.
- The person drawing then draws a line out from the center of the spiral to the outer edge of the spiral. Count how many times this line crosses the spiral. This is the player’s magic number.
How to Predict the Future
- Starting on the M in MASH, count through your list using your magic number. For example, if your number is 5, count 1,2,3,4 through the word MASH and then continue counting on the options in category one.
- Each time you count to five, cross out the option you land upon.
- Start counting up to your magic number again, going down the options of each category and crossing out the option of your magic number. As you are going around, counting and crossing out, skip the already crossed out options. Don’t forget the “MASH” at the top of the game, count and cross out those letters as well.
- When only one option remains in each category, circle it. Don’t count it as you finish counting. Keep going until there is only one option in each category.
- For your “future”, read through the circled options in each category. “I will live in a __, I’ll be married to __, and…” finish it up with your options. Get ready for some laughs!
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