Candy Camouflage

In this game, players act as predators hunting for M&M prey. Some candies are disguised with Skittles that represent poisonous animals. Through quick candy hunting, students discover how mimicry and camouflage help prey survive by tricking predators.

1. Wash hands so the candies remain clean and edible afterward.
2. Prepare two bags of candy:
   • Bag 1: 10 M&M’s of each color (yellow, blue, green, brown, red, orange) plus 10 red Skittles.
   • Bag 2: 10 M&M’s of each color plus 10 yellow Skittles.
3. Pour the contents of one bag into a pie tin or sturdy paper plate.
4. Explain rules: Players (2–4) pretend to be birds with beaks (use pointer finger and thumb). They must collect M&M’s but avoid Skittles (poisonous prey).
5. Set a timer for 20 seconds. On “Go,” predators collect as many M&M’s as possible using their “beak.”
6. When the timer ends, stop hunting. Count and record the number of each candy collected, noting any Skittles accidentally picked up.
7. Return candies to the bag and repeat with the second bag.
8. After both rounds, compare results to see which M&M colors were avoided due to their similarity to Skittles.

Candy Camouflage STEM Activity - Science Buddies:

📄 Candy Camouflage STEM Activity - Science Buddies: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/stem-activities/candy-camouflage

• Play multiple rounds to simulate natural selection: after each round, double the number of surviving M&M’s and continue.
• Use other candy types (Candy Corn, Nerds) to change camouflage difficulty.
• Show photos of camouflaged animals and time how long it takes for people to spot them.
• Try outdoors with natural objects (rocks, leaves, seeds) to mimic camouflage in habitats.

• Supervise young children to prevent choking on small candies.
• Remind players not to eat candy until the activity is finished.
• Ensure hands are washed before and after playing.
• Use sturdy containers to prevent candy spills.

• Which M&M colors were collected the least? Why? (They mimicked the poisonous Skittles.)
• How does mimicry increase survival in the wild? (Predators avoid prey that look like poisonous or dangerous animals.)
• What other camouflage strategies do animals use besides mimicry?
• What might happen to a predator population if prey develop effective camouflage?
• How does this game connect to real examples like Monarch and Viceroy butterflies?