The Waiter Game
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What you'll need
a tray, cutting board, or big book. Stuff around the house.
Say this to start
"Welcome to my restaurant! You're the waiter. I'm a VERY fussy customer. Can you remember my whole order?"
Set it up (30 seconds)
- Sit somewhere comfy. That's it.
- Hand them the "tray."
- Put on your fussy-customer voice.
How to play
Order 2 or 3 things from around the house: "I would like... a spoon, something red, and something soft. Please!" Kid repeats the order back once (this matters, it locks it in), then goes to find everything. They deliver it on the tray. You inspect it like a fussy customer. Tip them with a high five.
Ask this while you play
- "Can you say my order back to me? (before they go)"
- "Hmm, was there one more thing? (if they forget, hint, don't tell)"
- "What was the trickiest one to remember?"
Watch for
Lips moving while they walk, they're repeating the list to themselves. That's a real memory strategy and it's gold. Celebrate it: "You said it to yourself! That's what waiters do!"
Rescue moves
If frustrated
Drop to 2 items and make them silly ("a sock and something that goes moo").
If bored
Add an item, or add a rule: "walk backwards" or "hop there."
Age dial
One more round?
Swap roles. THEY order, YOU forget one on purpose, they catch your mistake.
Why this worksTap to see the research behind this game.
Practices holding a list in their head, the same skill that lets a kid follow "get your shoes AND your jacket."
Holding a few things in mind while doing something else is called working memory. It's the skill behind following multi-step directions at school. Based on the same research used in programs like Tools of the Mind.
How to end
"The restaurant is closing! Last order of the day." Do one final easy order so they end on a win.