Prize and merchandise ideas for your claw machine

The claw machine draws people in, but the prize is what they take home. And not just anything will do: it has to fit, the claw has to be able to grab it and, if it is for a brand, it has to remind people who gave it. These are the prize and merchandise ideas that work best in our machines, with the sizes and lead times you need to know.

The basic rules

Before choosing, bear in mind three limits of the claw machine:

• Maximum weight: 150 g per prize. Any heavier and the claw will not lift it.
• Plush toys of 10 to 15 cm. The ideal size: the claw wraps around them well and lots fit inside.
• 9 cm balls. Anything that fits inside a ball 9 cm in diameter becomes a prize.

As for quantity, we recommend at least 120 plush toys so the cabinet looks full. It holds up to 150 balls at a time. And you can restock during the event.

Plush toys: the classic prize

Nothing gets a cheer like winning a teddy. They work with any audience, from children at a wedding to visitors at a tech show. To make them easy to grab, choose soft toys with a clear head and arms.

If you want the toy to carry your brand, order teddy bears with your logo: they measure about 13 × 16 cm and wear a white T-shirt with your logo. They are ordered from 100 units and take three weeks to a month. They are the prize that shows up most afterwards in photos and on office desks.

9 cm balls: the prize that takes any gift

Balls open the door to almost any small gift. We have them in clear, green, yellow, blue and red. You can play with the colours: for example, red for the big prize and clear for the rest.

We can also add a 2 cm sticker with your logo, in batches of 100. If you do not want to fill them yourself, we do it for you as an extra service.

Merchandise ideas that fit in a ball

• pins, badges and magnets;
• keyrings and bottle openers;
• silicone or fabric wristbands;
• small earbuds, cables and adapters;
• USB sticks and phone stands;
• cosmetic or fragrance samples;
• lip balms and small pouches;
• stickers, gift cards and discount vouchers;
• wrapped chocolates or sweets;
• miniatures of your product.

What if the prize does not fit?

There are two solutions. If the item is small but the claw cannot grip it well, we attach a small ring or hook. If it is large, such as a T-shirt, a bag or a boxed product, we put a prize ticket in a ball and the winner redeems it at your stand or at the till.

If you are unsure about an item, send us a sample: we test it in the machine and send you a video of the result.

Ideas by type of event

Trade shows and stands

Small branded merchandise inside balls, teddy bears in your T-shirt for key visitors and tickets for a bigger prize collected at the stand. That way the winner comes back to talk to your team. More ideas on claw machines for trade shows and stands.

Weddings

Plush toys with a ribbon in the wedding colours, balls with a favour for each guest or notes written by the couple. See surprise capsules for weddings.

Shops and launches

Discount vouchers for the next purchase, samples of the new product and tickets for clothing. If the machine runs on tokens, you can give one per purchase.

Companies and Christmas

Staff gifts, tickets for an internal draw or commemorative gifts for an anniversary. At Christmas, themed decorations and prizes.

How to arrange the prizes inside the machine

How you fill the cabinet matters as much as the prize itself. A few tips to help your guests win and make the machine look good:

• Fill it well. A nearly empty cabinet looks hard and does not invite people to play. A full one draws the eye.
• Keep prizes loose. Do not pack them in: a toy wedged between others is almost impossible to win.
• Put the most attractive ones on show, near the front glass, so they can be seen from afar.
• Mix ball colours if you have prizes of different value: people quickly understand which ones are special.
• Restock from the top during the event, with new prizes loose and near the chute.

During set-up we show you how to open the machine and restock in a couple of minutes.

If you want everyone to take something home

The claw machine is a game of skill: even on the easiest setting, not everyone wins first time. To guarantee one gift per person, use the same balls in the giant gumball machine, which holds about 250, or the surprise capsule machine, which holds about 50. Every turn of the handle wins.

Timeline: when to order what

• A month before: branded teddy bears (minimum 100 units, three weeks to a month).
• Two weeks before: artwork for the machine branding.
• Before the event: fill the balls, or ask us to do it.

Everything we can brand besides the prizes is on our branded claw machine page.

Frequently asked questions

What is the easiest prize to win?

9 cm balls and soft plush toys of 10 to 15 cm, always under 150 g.

Can you supply the prizes?

Yes: balls in several colours, balls with your logo sticker and teddy bears with your brand. We also offer a filling service.

How many prizes do I need?

It depends on how many guests you want to play. As a guide, at least 120 plush toys or up to 150 balls to fill the machine, plus spares for restocking.