After about five words played in this manner, the show shifts gears to the "Fast-Play" round, where both contestants, equipped with lockout buttons, raced to ring in with a correct guess, as they watched a child defining the word. Each correct answer here is worth two points, and when a school bell rings, time is up, and the top scorer wins the game, $500, and a chance to win $5,000 in the bonus round.

During the show's run, two different bonus rounds were used. During the first six months, the "Triple Play" round was used, where the contestant had 45 seconds to guess six words correctly, with three written difinitions from children for each word. Each right guess was worth $100, getting all five paid $5,000.


During the second half of the show's run,the "Turnabout Round" was used. Five of the children appearing in the pre-taped definitions were brought out on stage, and the contestant had 45 seconds to describe seven words. Each word a child guessed correctly was worth $100, with seven winning $5,000. The kids also won cash awards based on how well the contestant did.


Notes: Urban game show myth has stated that the definitions used in the Triple Play round were written by Mark Goodson staffers in the way a child might write. This has never been proven, though.

This show holds a rather odd distinction which I don't think has ever been duplicated on television, and it is this: During the show's one-year run on CBS, the show that aired immediately before it was "The $25,000 Pyramid," the original version of which was hosted by Bill. The show that aired immediately after it was "The Price is Right," the original version of which was hosted by Bill.

Despite the obvious problems with this show, Bill would later refer to it as one of his favorites. I think Bill always privately regretted never having any kids of his own, so getting to do a show involving cute kids, especially during the Turnabout format, probably meant a lot to him. While he generally acted flip on series finales, he's noticably a tad emotional on the finale of "Child's Play." Problems aside, Bill had every right to like a sweet show like this.

Click the picture to learn about the "Child's Play" pilot featured a different, and IMHO, better format in the front game

Child's Play regular Sascha Segan is all grown up! Find out what he's been up to in this special interview!