A fun way to experience apple bobbing without the mess! This game is perfect as a stand-alone activity as well as a component of an escape room. It can be used for a variety of subjects / topics e.g. English, maths, history etc.
How to play:
Spread out all the apples on a table so that the letters written on the apples are hidden. Make sure each apple has one paperclip attached to it.
Give each player a magnetic fishing rod and assign them a number. Players take it in turns using their fishing rods to “bob” an apple. When a player catches an apple, they must look at the letter and number on the back of that apple. If the number written on the apple is the number they were assigned, they keep that apple. If the number is different, they need to place the apple back on the table face down so that the number / letters are hidden.
Once a player has gathered all the apples that have their number on it, they need to arrange the apples so that it spells out the correct word.
The first person who completes their word is the winner! Alternatively, if you are using this game in an escape room, players unlock the next clue by completing this activity.
How to make:
To make this activity you will need the following items:
• Card or paper
• Scissors
• Paperclips
• Glue
• Magnetic fishing rod (or string, magnets and wooden sticks to create your own).
• (Optional) Laminator to make sturdier apples
Step 1: Make your apples
To make your apples you can either draw them by hand or use images on your computer. Decide what word or phrase you want players to spell e.g. Happy Halloween. You will need enough apples for each letter of your chosen word per person. So, if you word is Happy Halloween, you would need 14 apples per person. For 12 players that would be a total of 168 apples.
Step 2: Assemble your apples
Once you have gathered enough apples for your game, cut them out. Then add numbers and letters to the back of your apples. You can either write this by hand or print them off. However, if printing make sure that it is the correct size to fit inside your apple. If you don’t have a double-sided printer, you can glue the numbers / letters on.
Finally to complete your apples you need to put a paper clip on them.
TIP! To make your apples sturdier, you can laminate them.
Optional: Make a fishing rod
If you are unable to get premade fishing rods, you can make your own. Tie or glue the magnet to a piece of string. Then secure the string to the wooden stick. To make it easier for players to remember their numbers you can put a sticker on the wooden sticks.
Step 3: Play your game
Now that you have everything you need to play your game, you can lay out your apples on a table.
Tip! For a more authentic apple bobbing experience, you can place your apples inside a large bucket or barrel.
Have fun “bobbing” for apples!
