MASH (game) facts for kids

MASH is a fun paper-and-pencil game that many kids play to imagine what their future might be like! The name MASH is actually an acronym, which means each letter stands for a word: Mansion, Apartment, Shack (or Street, Shed, Sewers, Swamp), and House.

This game helps you predict things like where you might live, who you might marry, how many kids you could have, and what your job might be when you grow up. It's all just for fun, of course!

How to Play MASH

Playing MASH is easy and only needs two players, a piece of paper, and a pencil. Here are the steps to play this exciting game:

Setting Up Your Game

• First, one player writes the letters MASH at the top of a piece of paper.
• Next, both players work together to choose different categories for predictions. Good categories include:
  • Where you will live (like a city or a type of home)
  • How many children you will have
  • Who you will marry
  • What your future job will be
• For each category, both players think of three possible answers. Two answers should be things you like or want, and one answer should be something you definitely do not want! Write these answers in a column under each category title.

Finding Your Magic Number

• Now, it's time to find your special number for the game! Player 2 starts drawing a swirl on a separate piece of paper.
• Player 1 watches and says "Stop!" whenever they choose, but they must wait at least three seconds.
• When Player 1 says "Stop," Player 2 stops drawing the swirl. Then, Player 2 draws a straight line from the end of the swirl back to its starting point.
• Count how many times the straight line crosses over the swirl. This number is your "magic number" for the game!
• Tip: If drawing a swirl is tricky, Player 2 can make tally marks instead. Player 1 says "Stop," and Player 2 counts the tally marks to get the magic number.

Predicting Your Future

• Now, use your magic number to cross off answers! Starting with the letters M-A-S-H at the top of your paper, count each item down the page.
• For example, if your magic number is four, you would count "one, two, three, four" and then cross off the fourth item on your list.
• Keep counting from where you left off, using your magic number, and cross off every item you land on.
• You continue this process until only one answer is left in each category. Remember, each letter in MASH also counts as an item to be crossed off!
• The answers that are left on your paper at the end of the game will tell you your predicted future! The answers that were crossed out will be the other player's future.

Example of a MASH Prediction

Imagine your game ends with these results: You live in a mansion and marry someone nice. You will be a doctor and have one child, a girl. You will live in The Maldives!

See also

• FLAMES (game)

External links

• How to Play MASH – alternative instructions