We describe an easy-to-employ, hands-on demonstration using playing cards to illustrate the central limit theorem. This activity allows students to see how a collection of sample means drawn from a nonnormally distributed population will be normally distributed. Students who took part in the demonstration reported it to be helpful in understanding…

Describes a hands-on demonstration of the concept of the sampling distribution of the mean using M&M's candy. Compares the effectiveness of the candy demonstration with that of a comparable demonstration using a textbook example. Reports that students exposed to the candy example performed better on a subsequent examination. (DSK)