Bag of Mystery

As a children’s magician, I’ve noticed that children are always curious about what I have in my magic bag. I also noticed that same interest whenever I bring out a prop that looks like a bag. It doesn’t matter whether the bag is used in the magic trick, children are always interested in “what’s in the bag”?

A bag hides the items that are contained in them, and hence children (and adults) are naturally curious (I always wonder and try to sneak a peek at what’s in my girlfriend’s handbag). The bag helps to hold the interest of children. It can also help both the adult and child share their focus and interest when you remove one item at a time from it.

Here are some game ideas using a bag (any bags around the house that can hide an object) and items around the house:

(1) What’s in the bag? (Guessing game)

a.     Fill a bag up with several items/ toys.

b.     Take turns grabbing an item in the bag (you can take the item out and place it in a separate bag so that it is easier for your child to concentrate if needed)

c.      Describe the item

                                               i.     what is it shaped like,

                                              ii.     what colour is it,

                                            iii.     who uses it/ what does it do

                                            iv.     where is it found

                                              v.     what type of group does it belong to,

                                            vi.     how do you use it, what can you do with it

                                           vii.     when would you use it,

                                         viii.     why would you use it…

d.     The player who successfully guesses it keeps the item as a point he has won. *note, it is more important that your child tries different ways of describing an item.

e.     Alternative rule: Instead of describing it for another person, you can also reach into the bag, and try to guess the object through touch alone.

(2) Story Bags (role-playing game)

a.     Together with your child, come up with some stories you both enjoy. Choose one of the stories.

b.     Find objects that are related to the chosen story.

c.      Grab an item from the bag one at a time, and

d.     Retell and re-enact the chosen story.

e.     Feel free to expand and create your plots with the chosen story as a background.

(3) Bag of Tools (problem-solving game)

a.     Together with you child, come up with some ideas about imagined situations, i.e. “you are stuck on an island and you need to build a raft”, “you locked yourself in and you need to open the door”, “you need to bake a cake but have no utensils”

b.     Find objects that you can use as a “tool” to help you with your goal (there are no right or wrong answers, just different ideas to explore).

c.      Take one item out of the bag at a time

d.     Discuss how you can use that item to help you in your situation.

e.     Act it out.

There are many more games or activities we can do with bags. Let me know in the comments below of any, and if this games have been useful. Have fun!