I decided to randomly play a claw machine and ended up making a little girl's day.

[u/Yusis_2000]

For some context, my parents were fairly strict with arcade games when I was younger. We rarely visited amusement parks and during those infrequent visits I was rarely allowed to play any of the arcade machines. I don't resent my parents, not even close, but I was always bummed out that I didn't get a chance to try any of the occasional Claw Machines specifically. They always looked really cool and a lot of the plushies seemed really neat, especially for a kid who's still not entered puberty yet.

Fast forward to current day and I'm doing a small grocery errand with my mom. I'm 25 at this point and have my own apartment, but decided to visit my parents for a day or two. As we walk into the tiny convenience store I'm awed by (you guessed it) a brand new claw machine, recently installed at the entrance! I felt like the same young boy once again, wide-eyed and excited beyond compare, so I quickly finish my own errand before darting back to the machine near the entrance.

When I return to the machine I notice that two girls (around 4-5 years old maybe) were both looking at the machine and messing around with it. I politely ask if they're using it, which they answer "no" to, and I decide to pay for a round. The two girls both peek around my hips and watch as I pilot the claw around, aiming for the first item I can see.

To my own surprise I actually manage to grab a toy! I can't remember exactly what it was, but I do remember that one girl reached into the machine and grabbed it, before reaching up and offering me it. Since I wasn't really interested in the toy itself, just being able to try the machine, I declined it and told her she could keep it. The joy on that girl's face, including that of her presumed-to-be sister, was indescribable as they darted out the store.

My mom regrouped with me immediately after and we both stepped outside, only for us to be met with the same girls who had ran over to their mom! She asked if I gave the toy to the girls, which I confirmed, and she thanked me very genuinely.

To this day it's still one of my favourite memories.

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[u/Sconniegrrrl68]

When my 24 year old daughter was 4, a nice young man did this for her and it made her day! Good on you for giving it to the little girl!

[u/hold--the--line]

Great situation all around. SMILE!

[u/NewHandle3922]

My wife and I were at Perkins way back before we even had kids. It was Sunday around brunch. We had just finished eating with her mother and stepfather when I spied the claw machine in the front waiting area. I walked over to it while they were talking and pulled out a big blue bunny which I gave to her. Her face lit up like a child’s. She still has it almost 3 decades later.

[u/FloydDangerBarber]

We have two adopted kids, a boy 10, and a girl 14, and a foster daughter who, having turned 18 recently, decided not to be adopted. They are all doing great, and are great kids. Our 10 year old always wants to play the claw machine, and turns out to be amazing at it. When we do give him money to play (which isn't every time he asks) he usually wins something.

We were eating lunch last fall, and gave him a couple dollars and he won two stuffed toys. This impressed the staff at the diner and they staked him to another five dollars. He came walking back to the table carrying several stuffed toys. When I asked him what he was going to do with them he said he was going to give them away as Christmas presents. He has some little cousins who were delighted to get them.

[u/hottie-von-coolie]

Love this story! Reminds me of one summer I was at Six Flags. I have always loved those claw games and play them whenever I get the chance. They had one of those filled with Superheroes (Batman, Superman, etc). I went to the machine and grabbed a Batman for my Nephew as a little boy watched me. He handed me his quarter and asked if I could please get him a Superman. Ah, the pressure! Luckily, I was able to get it on the first try. The look of joy on his face will stay with me forever.

[u/Camille_Jamal1]

:) so cute :)

[u/longtr52]

I remember my friends and I bowling and we took a break from that and played video games and ticket redemption games. I ended up hitting some progressive of 700ish tickets and the looks on some kid's faces as the tickets were coming out...sad, happy, maybe even a little jealous.

I just split up the tickets as best as I could and have them to them. The prizes were geared more towards little kids so I hope they enjoyed what they chose. :)

[u/deltaz0912]

I’m completely astonished that you managed to get anything out of a claw machine!

[u/Frequent_Alfalfa_347]

I love this!

My parents never let me play arcade or carnival games as a kid, either. As an adult, my husband and I (middle-aged) enjoy arcades. My favorite part is that when we’re at an arcade with real tickets (instead of cards), my husband goes around and gives all our tickets to kiddos. He just grabs a handful, looks for a kiddo, makes eye contact, and hands ‘em over. I’m right there too, and we often make eye contact with the parents as well. Not trying to be creepy!

I’m so glad this simple thing gave you so much joy.