3-year-old girl in China stuck in claw machine after climbing in for Pikachu doll

One of these dolls is not like the others.

Don't worry, your eyes aren't playing tricks on you. In a very relatable moment, a 3-year-old girl from Guangdong was so desperate to get her hands on the toys in a claw machine that she crawled into the machine and got herself stuck.

According to Pear Video, the incident took place in a mall in the city of Dongguan when the girl's mother had her hands full with the girl's younger siblings. The mother was carrying one child and pushing another in a stroller when the girl saw her opportunity and took it.

The girl, who was remarkably calm, spent 30 minutes stranded in the machine with a bunch of Pikachu plushies. Thankfully, the shop owner eventually arrived with the key to the machine, freeing the girl, reported CCTV News. 

Police told reporters that the girl was unharmed - all's well that ends well.

Netizens were very amused. One commented, "I know how she feels, when I can't get the prize, I too want to crawl into the machine."

Another said, "Even though it's very sad, I somehow feel like laughing."

Unfortunately children getting trapped in claw machines seems to be a global phenomenon. There's something about a huge pile of toys in an enclosed space and an impossibly narrow entrance that attracts children like mice to a mousetrap.

This video dated 2008 proves that children have been climbing into claw machines since forever:

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVWyT5RWHtA[/embed]

The little girl climbs in and even makes herself comfortable on a bed of soft toys while all the adults freak out.

Another video, shared in 2015, is the epitome of double trouble, with TWO kids trapped in a claw machine. The mother racks her brains to get her kids out, while one bystander quips, "If you give me 50 cents, I can get her out!"

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnZkV_On5A0[/embed]

And then there's the case of a teacher in US, who was charged for making his daughter crawl into a claw machine to steal prizes.

To all the parents out there, remember to keep an eye on your toddlers the next time you're around a claw machine. Those things are dangerous - and not just for your wallet.

kimberlylim@asiaone.com